Edith Cowan Athena SWAN Advancement Scheme

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Edith Cowan Athena Swan Advancement Scheme

The Edith Cowan Athena Swan Advancement Scheme celebrates the gender diversity of our staff talent at ECU, supporting career progression in the spirit of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Ltd. Athena Swan Charter in Australia. ECU is proud to be a member of SAGE Athena Swan and was one of the first 15 Australian institutions to receive an inaugural Athena Swan Bronze Institutional Award in 2018. In 2022, ECU was awarded their first SAGE Cygnet Award on 4 August, the first university in Australia, for our work to promote equitable access to flexible working arrangements. In July 2023, the University received its second Award on support systems for the promotion of women in STEM(M).

In our ongoing commitment to gender equality, we preserved initiatives such as this Scheme during COVID-19. As we move forward, we acknowledge the potentially negative impacts the pandemic has had on recent gains in working towards gender parity in higher education.

The 2023 Edith Cowan Athena Swan Advancement Scheme round is due to open in August – staff from all levels are encouraged to apply!! Below are the Scheme categories:

Career Advancement Subsidy

To support ECU staff who have parenting and/or caring roles and may be facing career disadvantages because of these responsibilities. The subsidy aims to facilitate staff attendance at professional development events that will support their career progression.

STEMM Advancement Subsidy

To improve the gender balance of the STEMM staff profile at ECU by boosting the career progression of academics with parenting and/or caring roles, facing career disadvantage because of these responsibilities. The subsidy aims to facilitate staff attendance at professional development events that support work-related STEMM projects, initiatives or programs which are aligned to ECU's strategic priorities.

Leadership Advancement Subsidy

To support gender diversity in leadership at ECU through funding staff attendance at professional development events that will support structured career progression into management or leadership roles and/or Australian-based gender equality events that will build leadership capabilities required to drive an inclusive culture at ECU.

Closing dates

Submission dates for the 2023 Round of the Edith Cowan Athena Swan Advancement Scheme conclude COB, 11 September 2023.

Eligibility criteria

In preparation for the 2023 Awards, please read the Edith Cowan Athena Swan Advancement Scheme Guidelines (below) on specific requirements on each category. For questions relating to the Scheme please email athenaswanaustralia@ecu.edu.au or call 08 6304 3450.

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