Think Difference

Women's representation in some STEM disciplines has remained stubbornly low for too long. In 2016, the University of Melbourne decided it was time for more radical approaches to address this chronic underrepresentation. Their targeted recruitment strategy not only attracted more high-calibre talent than traditional recruitment, but also contributed to broader cultural change.

In this episode, Professor Marilys Guillemin, Professor Elaine Wong and Associate Professor Georgina Such discuss the rationale behind this approach, strategies for preventing backlash, and complementary actions to support the newly hired women—and indeed all staff—to thrive at work.

The Think Difference podcast is procued by SAGE – Science in Australia Gender Equity.

In this episode, we speak to Professor Janice Aldrich-Wright, the SAGE Academic Lead at Western Sydney University. She talks about the University's targets and strategies for recruiting more women, their gender-sensitive COVID-19 response, and reimagining meaningful stakeholdership for their Indigenous staff.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by [Science in Australia Gender Equity (https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/) (SAGE).

In this episode, we speak to social scientist Cai Wilkinson from Deakin University. Associate Professor Wilkinson explains why confining our thinking to the gender binary limits the effectiveness of gender equity initiatives, and suggests ways we can think more flexibly – and inclusively – about gender.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by [Science in Australia Gender Equity (https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/) (SAGE).

Personal stories are a powerful way to highlight social issues. In Between the Lines, a mini-series of the SAGE podcast, we’ll explore gender equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education and research, through the lived experiences of individuals from SAGE institutions.

Our guest in the first special is Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney. From leaving home at age 14 to becoming an award-winning epidemiologist, we delve into Lisa’s remarkable life journey and the many Indigenous students she’s helped along the way.

Initiatives mentioned in this episode:

The Think Difference podcast is produced by [Science in Australia Gender Equity (https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/) (SAGE).

In this episode, guest host Signi Livingstone-Peters speaks to Professor Renae Ryan, Academic Director of SAGE and Annie Fenwicke, SAGE Program Manager at the University of Sydney. They discuss how the University of Sydney has embedded accountability for gender equity and diversity across the university structure, the University’s SAGE action plan, and how they have worked to actively preserve gender equity during COVID-19.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by [Science in Australia Gender Equity (https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/) (SAGE).

Professor Lesley Hughes and Nicole Gower from Macquarie University discuss the importance of taking a holistic approach to gender equity and diversity, their distributed leadership approach, and a change in their promotion policy that has increased the number of women applying for promotion by 87%.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by [Science in Australia Gender Equity (https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/) (SAGE).

To solve gender inequity, we need to know what is happening and why it’s happening. Dr Lucie Joschko shares how Monash University conducted focus groups and surveys to reveal the whys. The result is a robust Athena Swan action plan, but implementing this plan requires a huge team effort across the university.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE).

If you haven’t been directly involved in Athena Swan at your organisation, you might be wondering: what does it actually take to get an Athena Swan Award? How is joining SAGE any different from taking part in other gender equity programs?

To answer these questions, we speak to returning guest Dr Lucie Joschko, Manager, Staff Equity and Diversity at Monash University.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE).

In the Australian adaptation of Athena Swan, institutions must address the specific inequities and injustices experienced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff and students.

How are SAGE subscribers involving and serving Indigenous people in their gender equity work?

We ask two Aboriginal leaders, Professor Braden Hill from Edith Cowan University and Chanelle Van den Berg from Murdoch University.

Achieving gender equity is a team sport.

Professor Emma Johnston, Dean of Science at UNSW Sydney, speaks to Dan Wheelahan about how her faculty improved women in leadership roles from 17% to 27%, as well as what drove her to become a marine biologist and advocate for women in STEMM.

The Think Difference podcast is produced by Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE).