An independent review into gender equity and culture at the Australian National University's College of Health and Medicine will examine issues of sexual harassment, unequal career progression and supervision practices.
Professor Christine Nixon has been engaged to conduct the review and report on her findings and recommendations by the end of the year.
Provost Rebekah Brown said any current for former staff and students would have an opportunity to participate in the review.
"ANU is responsible for providing a safe, inclusive and respectful campus where our people can study, work and live free from discrimination, harassment and bullying, and where there is equal access to employment, advancement and education opportunities for staff and students," Professor Brown said.
"The university has chosen to undertake this review to ensure we are the best we can be in our commitment to providing a strong, resilient and respectful culture as the foundation of our education and research."
Professor Brown would not answer questions on whether there had been any workplace investigations or workers compensation claims in the college in recent years.
"I can't speak to specific cases. But I can say we do not stand for cultural problems or gender equity issues in any area of ANU," she said.
"We're pleased that Professor Nixon has agreed to do this review for us. This is a forward-focused review - not an investigation. It is being conducted to ensure we are doing everything we possibly can in this space."
The review will cover the schools within the college: the John Curtin School of Medical Research, the School of Medicine and Psychology, and the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health.
The final report is expected to be delivered to the Provost by the end of the year, however only a summary of Professor Nixon's findings will be made public.
The terms of reference states the review will consider:
- Supervision practices
- The gender composition of senior leadership, committees and advisory groups
- Gender inequalities such as unequal pay, promotion opportunities and conferral of academic titles
- Gender-based harassment
- Recruitment practices
- Leave and flexibility
- Functional support for gender-related matters, including the role of the ANU's equity and diversity team
- The impact of these matters on student and early career experiences
Professor Nixon will not be constrained by these issues and will be free to pursue other areas of inquiry if they are considered relevant.
The identity of people who participate in the review will not be disclosed to the university.
Professor Nixon was the 19th Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in 2001, after previously serving in the New South Wales Police.
She chaired the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Agency after the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires and led the rapid review of visa fraud for the Minister for Home Affairs in 2023.
Currently Professor Nixon is a vice-chancellor's professorial fellow at Monash University and chair of Leadership Victoria.
She has been co-chair of the ACT Sexual Assault (Police) Review Oversight Committee and Chair of the ACT Corrective Services Blueprint for Change Oversight Committee from 2022-24.
The review comes as the university faces financial pressures partly caused by a cut to the number of international students it will be allowed to enrol next year.
