The Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) values diversity and aims to be an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work and study.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
We embrace the University of Wollongong’s commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and recognise that our continued excellence in research, education and community engagement can only be achieved by attracting and retaining a socially diverse and inclusive collective of staff and students.
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, EIS has committed to the EDI goals described below.
Goal 1
EIS has procedures and policies that promote equitable decision-making, where staff and student diversity is welcomed.
Goal 2
EIS is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups (including women; gender, sex and sexuality diverse people; Indigenous people and people living with disability).
Goal 3
EIS is an inclusive faculty where leaders are active in the campaign for equity, diversity and inclusion.
Goal 4
EIS offers an empathetic, welcoming and caring workplace culture, where the wellbeing of all staff and students forms the foundation for performance and success.
Initiatives
In order to achieve the Faculty’s EDI goals, the following initiatives have been identified, and an action plan developed. It should be noted that this is a living document and that the action plan will be updated and revised to remain relevant in a changing environment.
Increasing the visibility of EDI initiatives in EIS
EIS supports all staff and students regardless of gender and sexual identity, ethnic and cultural background, disability and age. We commit to an ongoing culture of improvement by measuring and reflecting on our progress, building social cohesion, actively pursuing internal feedback and promoting the values of equity, diversity and inclusion within our Schools and Entities. To ensure active engagement across the Faculty and to highlight the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to EDI, communication and transparency in the EDI space will be a strong focus.
Celebrating inclusivity in EIS
The culture in EIS is comprised of a collection of shared values, beliefs, attitudes and practices. EIS commits to adopting both formal and informal mechanisms for promoting an inclusive culture in our Faculty. Our formal approaches include embedding inclusive leadership and providing appropriate training to all. Informal approaches include hosting and publicising events that highlight EDI on campus to promote awareness and understanding.
Next generation EIS staffing
EIS is committed to investing in outstanding academic and professional staff drawn from a wide range of demographics, career levels and disciplines. We celebrate this diversity as a strength and are values-driven in all our endeavours. This initiative aims to address historical inequities by increasing the diversity of staff appointments (e.g. women, Indigenous people, people living with disability and other underrepresented groups).
Fostering talent within EIS
EIS is committed to providing a work and study environment that is inclusive, welcoming and respectful, and that will prioritise the retention of all staff, but in particular of underrepresented groups (including women; gender, sex and sexuality diverse people; Indigenous people and people living with disability).
Improving wellbeing and culture in EIS
EIS will provide a supportive and caring workplace, with mental wellbeing and work-life balance recognised as the foundation for performance and success at work.
Faculty initiatives and action plan
Share your ideas, issues and successes
Submit feedback
Contacts and resources
- EDI Committee
- Resources
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences Allies
- Inclusive environments
- Cultural & Religious Work-Restricted Holiday Dates
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culturally Significant Days
The Faculty Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of the EIS EDI initiatives to improve and promote equity, diversity and inclusion in the Faculty’s research, teaching, community engagement and operational activities. Members act as Champions for EDI activities in their respective Schools and Units. The EIS EDI Committee currently consist of:
Associate Dean: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion |
|
School Champion: Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering |
|
School Champion: Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering |
|
School Champion: Computing and Information Technology |
|
School Champion: Mathematics and Applied Statistics |
|
School Champion: Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering |
|
School Champion: Physics |
|
EIS Faculty Champion |
|
Ms Jancey Malins |
Faculty Executive Manager |
Ms Jacqueline Adriaanse |
Representative: Professional staff |
Ms Bona Merxhushi |
Representative: Professional staff |
Georgi Coddington |
Representative: Undergraduate Students |
Phoung Do |
Representative: Postgraduate Students |
UOW Links
- UOW Diversity and Inclusion
- SAGE/Athena SWAN Program
- Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
- Accessibility Action Plan
- UOW Disability Inclusion Network
- Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC)
- UOW Ally Network
- Woolyungah Indigenous Centre
- Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN)
UOW Policies and Guidelines
- UOW Code of Conduct
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Bullying Prevention Policy
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
- Sexual Harm Response Policy
- Respect for Diversity Policy
- Disability Policy - Staff
- Disability Policy - Students
- Gender Identity and Affirmation Guideline
- Equity Fellowship Guidelines
- Grievance Policy
- Parental Leave and Return to Work Grant
- Aboriginal Employment Enabler Strategy
UOW Maps
Hints and tips
- You can’t say that! Hints and Tips
- Making Inclusive and Safer Teaching Spaces
- People with Disability Australia – A guide to language about disability
- Inclusive Language Guideline
- It stops with me.
- Best Practice Guide for Inclusive Collection of Personal Data
Other useful links
- Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE)
- UOW Capability Statement: Gender Equality and Diversity
- Women in STEM
- The Welcome Here Project
- Base Cultural Awareness
- Supporting Working Parents – A Toolkit for Employers
- Resources on Personal Pronouns: What are pronouns and why should we use pronouns?
- What is intersectionality?
Name |
School or unit |
Aidan Sims |
School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics |
Amie Simmons |
NIASRA |
Chris Hally-Burton |
Technical Services |
Emma Heffernan |
School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (CMEA) |
Jacqueline Adriaanse |
Student Engagement |
Jancey Malins |
Faculty Executive |
Lucy Armitage |
School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering (MMMB) |
Madeleine du Toit |
School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering (MMMB) |
Mark Freeman |
School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) |
Maureen Edwards |
School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics |
Montse Ros |
School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering |
Tim McCarthy |
SBRC |
Cultural & Religious Work-Restricted Holiday Dates: Avoid Major Meetings, Events, & Deadlines
Event | Culture/Religion | Annual Date | 2022 Date | Notes |
Christmas (Eastern Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox Christian | 7-Jan | 7-Jan | |
Chinese New Year | Chinese heritage | Varies | 1-Feb | |
Pesach/Passover (day 1) | Jewish | Varies | 15-16 Apr | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Easter | Christian | Varies | 17-Apr | Official public holiday |
Easter (Eastern Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox Christian | Varies | 24-Apr | Sunday |
Eid al-Fitr | Islamic | Varies | 2-3 May | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Shavuot (day 1) | Jewish | Varies | 4-5 Jun | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Eid al-Adha | Islamic | Varies | 9-10 Jul | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Rosh Hashana | Jewish | Varies | 25-27 Sep | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Yom Kippur | Jewish | Varies | 4-5 Oct | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Sukkot (day 1) | Jewish | Varies | 9-10 Oct | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Shmini Atzeret | Jewish | Varies | 16-17 Oct | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
Diwali | Hindu, Sikh, Jain | Varies | 24-Oct | |
Christmas | Christian | 25-Dec | 25-Dec | Official public holiday |
NOTE: This list is not exhaustive, and certainly doesn't highlight every important holiday for every faith!
It is intended to list the dates that observers of a given faith are likely to be away from work for religious/cultural reasons. These are dates when we should avoid scheduling major meetings, events, and deadlines to be inclusive. Other dates may also be important (and may affect staff/students, e.g. because they are fasting, have dietary restrictions, etc.) so it is always best to check with your team members to understand their needs.
Original Sources:
January
- 26 January 2023: Survival Day/ Australia Day
- 26 January 2023: Tent Embassy 50th anniversary - CPA
February
- 12 - 26 February 2023: Anniversary of the Freedom Ride (1965)
- 13 February 2023: Anniversary of the Apology (2008)
March
- 17 March 2023: RAP Launch
- 17 March 2023: National Close the Gap Day
April
- 3 April 2023: Anniversary of Australia Supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2009)
- 5 April 2023: Anniversary of Bringing Them Home (1997)
May
- 26 May 2023: National Sorry Day (34 years) & Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017
- 26 May 2023: Bringing the home report tabled in Federal Parliament
- 27 May 2023: Anniversary of the Referendum 55 years
- 27 May 2023 - 3 June 2023: National Reconciliation Week
June
- 3 June 2023: Mabo Day 30 years
July
- 1 July 2023: Coming of the Light
- 3 July 2023 - 10 July 2023: National NAIDOC Week - theme ' Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!'
August
- 4 August 2023: National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
- 9 August 2023: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
September
- 7 September 2023: Indigenous Literacy Day
- 13 September 2023: Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (adopted by UN)
We acknowledge that country for Aboriginal peoples is an interconnected set of ancient and sophisticated relationships. The University of Wollongong spreads across many interrelated Aboriginal countries that are bound by this sacred landscape, and intimate relationship with that landscape since creation.
From Sydney to the Southern Highlands, to the South Coast. From the fresh water to bitter water to salt. From city to urban to rural.
The University of Wollongong acknowledges the custodianship of the Aboriginal peoples of this place and space that has kept alive the relationships between all living things. The University acknowledges the devastating impact of colonialisation on our campuses’ footprint and commit ourselves to truth-telling, healing and education.