The award marks a fourth Cygnet Award as UNSW continues its SAGE accreditation journey.
UNSW Sydney has been awarded its fourth Cygnet Award from the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan program, a significant recognition of the University’s commitment to advancing gender equity.
This achievement is part of UNSW’s ongoing SAGE accreditation process and reflects the University's dedication to breaking down barriers and supporting underrepresented groups in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine).
Athena Swan is an internationally recognised accreditation and awards program for gender equity, diversity and inclusion. UNSW Sydney is one of 42 institutions participating in the program.
This recent achievement follows other Cygnet awards for work across academic career progression, flexible work and care, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Student Pathways in STEMM
Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton, Academic Lead for UNSW’s SAGE Athena Swan Program said, “The submission for the Student Pathways in STEMM Cygnet Award highlights UNSW’s efforts to tackle the structural and systemic challenges faced by students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
“It has been inspiring to see the work taking place across the University to increase participation for underrepresented groups in STEMM fields and removing misconceptions about ‘who’ STEMM degrees are for.”
Specifically, the submission addresses the barriers experienced by women, trans and gender-diverse students, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students from low socio-economic (SES) backgrounds, and students with disabilities. It also emphasises that students belonging to multiple equity groups often face even greater obstacles in pursuing studies and careers in STEMM.
The initiatives working to dismantle barriers broadly fall under three key stages of the student lifecycle: transitioning to UNSW, the student experience once at UNSW, and programs supporting students to pursue STEMM careers.
Transitioning to UNSW
The Gateway Admission Pathway and Program is transforming access to UNSW for students from low-SES backgrounds. The program is boosting representation of diverse cohorts in STEMM fields through activities such as mentorship, personalised support and HSC tutoring.
A Year 11 student who experienced the Program said, “It allowed me to see how diverse the Science and Engineering faculties are and how much opportunity there is … I was blown away by the possibilities and a possible future at UNSW.”
Enhancing the STEMM experience
The STEMM Champions Program empowers women, non-binary and gender-diverse higher degree and early-career researchers with skills, confidence and networks to help them excel. Through outreach activities, these champions inspire future generations while becoming advocates for underrepresented professionals in STEMM. Champions also gain a network of peers who support each other during the program and the years that follow.
The program is overseen by Lisa Williams, Associate Professor and Associate Dean Equity Diversity and Inclusion (Science), who said, “We are proud to deliver a program with such impactful outcomes, which is a highlight of UNSW’s efforts to achieve gender equity.
“By combining professional development with outreach opportunities, the program uniquely supports current women and gender-diverse staff and HDR candidates to achieve their potential. Evaluation of the program over the past few years has shown immediate and lasting impacts on leadership skills and career confidence, and we are excited to see the longer-term benefits for gender equity at UNSW and beyond.”
Careers in STEMM
UNSW Founders’ New Wave program has supported hundreds of women-led ventures and startups. By connecting women entrepreneurs in STEMM with industry leaders and providing seed funding, participants develop essential skills to launch and grow their ideas. The program is flexible and hybrid, making it accessible for many participants.
Looking ahead
While these initiatives have increased the enrolment and retention of underrepresented groups in STEMM fields, there is still significant work to be done. The Cygnet Award submission identifies programs that are doing excellent work, and the need for ongoing investment and progress in these areas.
With a fifth and final Cygnet submission focusing on workplace culture in development later this year, UNSW remains committed to continuous progress in equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.
Achieving a remarkable four Cygnet Awards in the past year is a testament to the work of many teams and areas, including Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Human Resources, the Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team, the Women in Research Network and the EDI Cross Faculty Group.
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