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ECU attends conference aimed at propelling next decade of gender equity in higher education

Wednesday, 17 September 2025

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ECU’s Program Manager, Athena SWAN – Michelle McVicker and School of Education and Director of Centre for People, Place and Planet, Professor Mindy Blaise attended the annual Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Conference in Sydney across August 26-27, 2025. The event coincided with the inaugural SAGE Awards Dinner, celebrating 10 years of the Athena SWAN Framework in Australia.

With a central theme of Breaking Silos: Working Together for Equity, the conference highlighted the collaborative work within and across the sector to embed systemic and sustainable progress in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). As the leading initiative for gender equity in higher education and research in Australia, Athena Swan continues to bring together leaders and practitioners to share best practices and advance systemic change.

The event established a shared agenda for the next 10 years of EDI in Australia, providing a platform to discuss innovative strategies for moving beyond isolated initiatives. Communities of practice drew inspiration from innovative solution-based discussions, serving not only as a celebration of past successes but a launchpad for future action. Professor Blaise’s presentation explored a creative, feminist, and international approach to researching and communicating findings about everyday sexism in higher education, drawing on insights from a national research project funded by the Australian Research Council.

The SAGE Awards Dinner honoured exceptional contributions to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and research. ECU congratulates Professor Cobie Rudd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) – and ECU’s Athena Swan Lead, for receiving the inaugural national Highly Commended Award for Outstanding Leader.

For more information about ECU’s commitment to gender equality, visit the ECU Gender Equality website or contact athenaswanaustralia@ecu.edu.au

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