THE University of Newcastle has become one of the first two universities in the country to be recognised as a leader in addressing inequality.
The institution received a Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan Silver award.
Athena Swan accreditation is the only internationally recognised framework for gender equity, diversity and inclusion and uses a rigorous, peer-reviewed process to assess an organisation's progress and impact towards improving equity.
Athena Swan Working Party and UON researcher Ayanka Wijayawardena is investigating effects of PFAS on groundwater organisms and said the uni's Gender Equity Plan has supported her to take a leadership role with a childcare centre on campus.
"I'm a mum and my youngest child goes to the childcare centre on campus, which was really good for me," she said.
"Having my child so close means that if an experiment takes a little longer I can stay until it's finished and still have time to pick him up afterwards, without having to rush. I value things like that because they give me more flexibility to juggle work and my family."
2018 Women in Research Fellow Dr Kcasey McLoughlin heard about the Fellowship when she was on maternity leave, during a drought while her farmer husband was working in a fly-in, fly-out role, leaving her often home for 10 days at a time with the baby.
The Fellowship allowed her to present at international conferences, form relationships with researchers in the UK and the US and even write an award-winning book.
"I don't know what my career would have looked like without the fellowship, but it was a massive turbocharge.
"The fellowship coming through was the torch that led me through the next few years as it set up a bunch of projects that are still coming to fruition. It was also a massive gong, it was my first big, individual win."
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Excellence) and Athena Swan Lead, Professor Jennifer Milam said that in the context of broader national and international conversations about gender equality in society, the University is proud to partner with SAGE in advocating for everyone to make gender equity a priority.
"This accreditation is recognition that we are at the forefront of gender equity in the workforce. We know that central to attracting and retaining female staff is providing an inclusive culture and flexible workplace where women's careers are genuinely supported and accountability for gender equity is embedded in leadership across the university," she said.
The university celebrates the achievement alongside Edith Cowan University.
