October 6, 2022

Engineering and Information Sciences embraces equity, diversity and inclusion

Faculty outlines detailed action plan at launch of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative

The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) formally expressed its commitment to being an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work and study at the launch of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Initiative yesterday (Wednesday 5 October).

Professor Gursel Alici, Executive Dean of EIS, Professor Madeleine Du Toit, Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and other members of the faculty’s leadership team attended the launch, held at the University’s Wollongong campus.

“The Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences embraces the University of Wollongong’s commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and we recognise that our continued excellence in research, education and community engagement can only be achieved by attracting and retaining a diverse blend of staff and students,” Professor Alici said.  

“We recognise and celebrate all forms of diversity individually and recognise their intersectionality.

“This multi-faceted initiative is about EIS putting concrete actions in place to build momentum for change. We understand that increasing the representation of diverse groups in EIS requires us to step up and advance the principles of EDI in the faculty.”

^{Professor Gursel Alici at the launch of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative at UOW.} 

Professor Davidson said equity, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to UOW and she was delighted to support the initiatives of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences,

“Equity, diversity and inclusion underpins the UOW story. It is who we are and what we stand for. I welcome EIS’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, and their continued work to ensure the faculty is the best place that it can be for students and staff,” Professor Davidson.

“I am proud to be part of culture that recognises the strength and beauty in diversity and inclusion, that accepts and celebrates our differences and strives to ensure everyone, regardless of their background, their culture, their gender, their sex and sexuality, has the best opportunities to succeed.”

To create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for all staff and students in the faculty and to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, Professor Du Toit  asked everyone to look at the Faculty’s new EDI website and in particular the EDI Action Plan where she outlined four equity, diversity and inclusion goals that the initiative will address:

• EIS has procedures and policies that promote equitable decision-making, where staff and student diversity is welcomed.
• EIS is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups (including women; gender, sex and sexuality diverse people; Indigenous people and people with disabilities).
• EIS is an inclusive faculty where leaders are active in the campaign for equity, diversity and inclusion.
• EIS offers an empathetic, welcoming and caring workplace culture, where the wellbeing of all staff and students forms the foundation for performance and success.

To achieve those goals, EIS has identified five initiatives – increasing the visibility of EDI initiatives; celebrating inclusivity; next generation staffing; fostering talent; and improving wellbeing and culture – and developed detailed action plans for each to be implemented over the next two years.