Among Australian universities, the University of Southern Queensland is one of only two that have had two female vice-chancellors in a row.

In the latest episode of “Think Difference”, guest host Jirana Boontanjai from the Australian Academy of Science spoke with current Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie about the unique challenges faced by regional universities looking to improve gender equity.

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

While a number of Australian higher education and research sector organisations have started their journey towards gender equity, gender imbalance at senior leadership levels remains a challenge to overcome.

In the latest episode of “Think Difference”, guest host Liz Foschia from the Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) spoke with two medical research institutes and SAGE subscribers who are working to reverse that trend.

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

As the Director of Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Libby Lyons has been on a mission to improve gender equality. That mission is set to continue with Libby taking on the role of the inaugural Chair of SAGE Limited.

In this episode of the SAGE Think Difference podcast, Libby shares her first impressions a few months into the new role. Libby says her immediate focus will be on increasing participation in SAGE and ensuring SAGE and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency work more closely, to ensure we get the best gender equality and diversity outcomes.

Interviews: Ms Libby Lyons, inaugural Chair of SAGE Ltd. and Director of Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency

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

Curtin University received their Athena Swan bronze Award in 2018. Since then, it's been implementing its action plan to improve gender equity and diversity across the university.

In this episode of the SAGE Think Difference podcast, we'll hear from Professor Julianne Reid, who is leading Curtin University's efforts in this space. We also speak with Professor Sonya Girdler about her career and her experience of a Curtin University initiative that is training STEM academics in the craft of storytelling.

Interviews: Professor Julianne Reid and Professor Sonya Girdler.

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

Attracting women and girls to STEMM is a shared responsibility. For Dr Wafa El-Adhami, it was her parents who first took on that role. They wanted to give their six children the education that they missed out on.

Born and raised in Kuwait Dr El Adhami’s passion for science was also sparked by Jacque Cousteau in his pioneering TV series The Undersea World.

For the past four and half years Dr El Adhami has been leading the Science in Australia Gender Equity initiative, more commonly known as SAGE.

In this episode of the SAGE Think Difference podcast, Dr El Adhami reflects on her own career and discusses the impact and future of SAGE, as it transitions to a national program in the midst of a pandemic.

Interviews: Dr Wafa El Adhami, CEO SAGE Limited.

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

When Cathy Foley started at the CSIRO 35 years ago, her workplace had few women. She thought that needed to change. Cathy got involved in the organisation's efforts to lift women in science. Today Cathy is CSIRO's Chief Scientist. She remains passionate about eliminating gender bias.

In this episode of the SAGE Think Difference podcast, you’ll hear Cathy reflect her own career in STEM and how she led CSIRO's efforts to address gender equity and diversity through the SAGE pilot of the Athena Swan program.

Interviews: Dr Cathy Foley, CSIRO Chief Scientist

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

Fighting injustice is in Alison Johns’ DNA. As a child, Alison’s mother instilled the values of fairness and equity. When Alison came across injustice in the workplace as an adult, she found her calling.

Alison is now Chief Executive of Advance HE. Their Athena Swan charter is being used across the globe, including in Australia. The charter is being used to support and transform gender equality, within higher education and research.

In this episode of the SAGE Think Difference podcast, you’ll hear Alison reflect on her 20-year journey as a gender equity and diversity champion. This interview with Paul Richards was recorder earlier this year, just after eleven Australian institutions were awarded an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award.

Interviews: Alison Johns, Chief Executive of Advance HE.

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

Support and acceptance for queer and gender diverse Australians has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. There have been some fantastic victories that have changed a lot of lives but sadly, people still have to deal with transphobic and homophobic attitudes and abuse.

So how does this play out in the world of science, tech, engineering and maths, and who’s there to advocate for LGBTQIA+ people working in these fields? QueersinScience is Melbourne-based initiative aiming to build community and improve support for LGBTQIA+ working in STEM in Australia.

https://www.queersinscience.org.au/

Interviews

1. Dr Sarah Stephenson, co-founder of QueersInScience and Senior Research Officer, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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

Many men still feel uncomfortable taking parental leave. So how do we shift the culture? In this inaugural episode of the SAGE podcast series ‘Think Difference’ we hear from a staff equity expert and two fathers, one starting his primary carer’s leave and one reflecting back on the experience.

Interviews

1. Ms Lucie Joschko, Staff Equity Manager, Monash University

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