Diversity, inclusion & gender equity

We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for our staff and students. Read about some of our diversity, inclusion and gender equity policies.

Australia has a diverse population and as a national university we are committed to providing opportunities and an inclusive and welcoming environment to those of all backgrounds and identities.

Supporting the recruitment and retention of employees with disability

Equitable Hiring Strategies

The College of Science Diverse and Equitable Hiring and Workforce Development Procedure (pdf, 292KB) requires each School to develop a five year strategy that identifies underrepresentation in the workforce and lists recruitment and retention practices that will remove employment barriers, improve hiring decisions and create a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the Australian population.

To see how the College is actively improving representation through our recruitment, retention and promotion practices, please click on the strategies below that have been endorsed by the College of Science Executive:

College of Science pilot to support the recruitment of employees with disability

3 December is International Day of People with Disability. This day aims to increase awareness and celebrate the achievements and contributions of the 4.4 million Australians living with disability. To mark this day, the College of Science has released the results of a three month pilot undertaken to support the recruitment of employees with disability. Conducted between July and October 2022, the pilot:

provided awareness training, information and coaching to local HR and 11 selection committees,
reviewed our recruitment and induction practices to improve accessibility, candidate access to reasonable adjustments and the overall candidate experience and,
used DES providers and Toozly (the largest job board in Australia for people with disability) to communicate vacancies.

Download a summary of the pilot, results and recommendations (PDF, 143.23 KB)

The initiative has been well received across ANU and the results are now being used to shape wider University practices in recruitment and induction.

Measures to support access and inclusion for employees with disability

ANU is implementing measures to support the recruitment, inclusion and retention of employees with disability. This includes:

Implementing our Disability Action Plan (PDF 203KB),
Providing an Disability Employee Network,
Providing training, upskilling and mentoring opportunities,
Working with Disability Employment Service providers,
Providing disability awareness training to supervisors and staff,
Sharing staff stories and listening to experiences to further improve access and inclusion.

Example adjustments during a selection process

We recognise that an individual is often best placed to know what accommodations may help that person to participate in a selection process. To help candidates feel comfortable to discuss adjustment needs, we have prepared a list of common requests. Adjustments to a selection process could include, but are not limited to:

Providing more time for any assessment including a written application, work test, interview and presentation,
Having a support person accompany you at interview,
Arranging an Auslan interpreter at any assessment stage,
Joining an interview over zoom,
Providing interview questions in advance.

During a recruitment process, the HR team checks that all assessment rooms and surrounding facilities are accessible. We encourage hiring managers to communicate assessment methods early, in the job advertisement, so that candidates have an opportunity to communicate adjustment needs. We also encourage hiring managers to provide interview questions in advance to assist candidate confidence and inclusion.

If you are applying for a role and would like to discuss adjustment options, please contact the HR team at hr.cos@anu.edu.au. Adjustment requests or the disclosure of disability will not be communicated to the selection committee without the candidates consent and it will not have any bearing on hiring decisions.

Diversity and inclusion in education

Our low-SES students achieve great outcomes, but for many there can be barriers to attending university. Discover how changes to our admission and scholarships process, and student experience support, can assist students from diverse backgrounds.

Indigenous opportunities

As Australia’s national university we strive to lead the way when it comes to acknowledging, celebrating and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Discover more about Indigenous student opportunities, our Reconciliation Action Plan and our Indigenous research projects

Women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and engineering (STEMM)

Through the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Pilot Project, we are committed to addressing the serious under-representation of women in science and mathematics disciplines. There are a number of internal programs and resources available to help ANU staff and students to help them achieve their full potential.

ANU Ally Network and LGBTIQ+ inclusion

The ANU Ally Network is a visible network of staff and students across the University who support the University’s commitment to providing an inclusive and respectful university environment for people who identify as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+).

Discover how we can also improve LGBTIQ+ inclusion in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine via, Pride in STEM.

Inclusion

Community Events Calendar

The Community Events Calendar 2022 recognises significant events observed around the world, both religious and non-religious, highlighting the diversity of people, perspectives and beliefs. Teams are encouraged to observe and learn about these events to include and appreciate the diversity in our workplace and broader community. Education and awareness is a critical element of building an inclusive workplace in which we welcome a diverse representation of society and are a progressive, collaborative organisation.

Managers are encouraged to understand the events that are significant to their staff and whether it is appropriate to recognise or celebrate those events within their team.

The ANU Enterprise Agreement 2017 - 2021 has provision for staff to take cultural leave for the purpose of attending essential religious or cultural obligations associated with the staff member's particular religious faith, culture or tradition, subject to the required notice and reasonable evidence as to the nature of the activity or ceremony the staff member is obliged to attend. The Community Events Calendar uses a * to indicate a day when observant staff are most likely to take cultural leave. However, this list is not exhaustive, and staff are encouraged to discuss leave requirements with their supervisor and provide the appropriate evidence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members are entitled to additional leave to fulfil cultural, community and family obligations under clause 36.13 and 36.14 of the ANU Enterprise Agreement. This includes one day paid NAIDOC leave annually.

Access the Community Events Calendar (PDF, 396KB)