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Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) values diversity and aims to be an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work and study.

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

Download the action plan

 

Share your ideas, issues and successes

Submit feedback

Contacts and resources

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:

Professor Madeleine du Toit

Associate Dean: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Professor Lip Teh

School Champion: Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering

Associate Professor Le Chung Tran

School Champion: Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering

Dr Elena Vlahu-Gjorgievska

School Champion: Computing and Information Technology

Dr Valentina Wheeler

School Champion: Mathematics and Applied Statistics

Dr Lihong Su

School Champion: Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering

Dr Lorna Jarrett

School Champion: Physics

Dr Mark Freeman

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

Name

School or unit

Aidan Sims

School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics

Amie Simmons

Faculty Office

Chris Hally-Burton

Technical Services

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 2023 Date  2024 Date Notes
Christmas (Eastern Orthodox) Eastern Orthodox Christian 7-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan  
Chinese New Year Chinese heritage Varies 22-Jan 10- Feb  
Pesach/Passover (day 1) Jewish Varies 5-13 Apr 22-30 Apr Begins at sundown of first listed date
Easter Christian Varies 9-Apr 31- Mar Official public holiday
Easter (Eastern Orthodox) Eastern Orthodox Christian Varies 16-Apr 5- May Sunday
Eid al-Fitr Islamic Varies 21-23 Apr 10- Apr Begins at sundown of first listed date
Shavuot (day 1) Jewish Varies 25-27 May 11-13 June Begins at sundown of first listed date
Eid al-Adha Islamic Varies 28 Jun-1 Jul 17-21 June Begins at sundown of first listed date
Rosh Hashana Jewish Varies 15-17 Sep 2-4 Oct Begins at sundown of first listed date
Yom Kippur Jewish Varies 24-25 Sep 11-12 Oct Begins at sundown of first listed date
Sukkot (day 1) Jewish Varies 29 Sep-6 Oct

16-23 Oct

 Begins at sundown of first listed date
Shmini Atzeret Jewish Varies 6-8 Oct 23-25 Oct Begins at sundown of first listed date
Diwali Hindu, Sikh, Jain Varies 12-Nov 31- Oct  
Christmas Christian 25-Dec 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:

Dates, Practices & Accommodations, University of Missouri

Jewish Holidays to Consider When Scheduling Events   

Recognising with communities: significant days

Embrace a journey of inclusivity and ignite meaningful conversations. Learn of upcoming celebrations and vital acknowledgments through our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Calendar. Save the dates that resonate with you, and join the movement towards a more empowered and inclusive society.

Celebrate and reflect: Browse our UOW Inclusion Calendar

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.