Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (SMAH) at the University of Wollongong 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 principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that our continued excellence in research and education can only be achieved by attracting and retaining a diverse blend of staff and students.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the University of Wollongong is situated and to Indigenous staff and students who study and work among us. We pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past and present, who are the knowledge holders and teachers. We acknowledge their continued spiritual and cultural connection to Country. As we share knowledge, teaching, learning and research within this Faculty we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.

We strive to be welcoming and supportive of all staff and students regardless of gender and sexual identity, ethnic and cultural background, disability, age, family/carer responsibilities, economic background, political affiliation, and religious belief. This commitment extends to all Faculty members: academic staff, professional staff, students and visitors.

We commit to an ongoing culture of improvement, applying best practice, measuring and reflecting on our progress, active pursuit of internal feedback, and promotion of these values within our Schools, Faculty, and University.

Working with staff and students from across the Faculty, the SMAH Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee will develop initiatives to support these principles. Details will be added to this page as initiatives are developed and implemented.

EDI feedback: share your ideas, issues, and successes


Our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

The SMAH Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy defines our vision for what we want SMAH to be and the goals we need to accomplish to achieve this vision. The five overarching strategic goals will guide our actions, helping us to prioritise activities and ensure our actions lead to meaningful and agreed-upon outcomes across the Faculty.

Read the Strategy (PDF)
A diverse group of people at table with laptops

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resources

Cultural & Religious Work-Restricted Holiday Dates: Avoid Major Meetings, Events, & Deadlines

Event Culture/Religion Annual Date 2023 Date Notes
Christmas (Eastern Orthodox) Eastern Orthodox Christian 7 Jan 7 Jan  
Chinese New Year Chinese heritage Varies 22 Jan  
Pesach/Passover (day 1) Jewish Varies 5-6 Apr Begins at sundown of first listed date
Easter Christian Varies 9 Apr Official public holiday
Easter (Eastern Orthodox) Eastern Orthodox Christian Varies 16 Apr Sunday
Eid al-Fitr Islamic Varies 21-22 Apr Begins at sundown of first listed date
Shavuot (day 1) Jewish Varies 25-26 May Begins at sundown of first listed date
Eid al-Adha Islamic Varies 28-29 Jun Begins at sundown of first listed date
Rosh Hashana Jewish Varies 15-16 Sep Begins at sundown of first listed date
Yom Kippur Jewish Varies 24-25 Sep Begins at sundown of first listed date
Sukkot (day 1) Jewish Varies 29-30 Sep Begins at sundown of first listed date
Shmini Atzeret Jewish Varies 6-7 Oct Begins at sundown of first listed date
Diwali Hindu, Sikh, Jain Varies 12 Nov  
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:

Dates, Practices & Accommodations, University of Missouri

Jewish Holidays to Consider When Scheduling Events   

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

 

Name, location and contact details Role at UOW Unit

Ali Kimbrough (she/her)
Wollongong Campus

Early Career Researcher (also Circus and Yoga instructor outside of academia) School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Aimee Silla (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Associate Research Fellow School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Alex Chan (he/him)
Liverpool Campus
Phone: (02) 8763 6019
Lecturer  School of Nursing
Brooke Conroy (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
PhD Candidate School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Clare Atkinson (she/her)
Office: 32.323
02 4221 5418
Wollongong Campus
Senior Technical Officer (also first aid officer and mental health contact) Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI)

Clare Murphy (she/her)
office: 18.221
Wollongong Campus

Academic School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Diana King (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Deputy Program Manager Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future ARC SRI (SAEF)

Evangelos Pappas (he/him)
Wollongong Campus

Professor and Associate Dean intoHealth
Georgia Watson (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Research Assistant Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future ARC SRI (SAEF)
Harriet Simpson-Southward she/her 
Wollongong Campus 
PhD Candidate School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Korin Brown (they/them)
Wollongong Campus
Senior Technical Officer supporting teaching and research in applied geospatial science School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Helen Pratt (she/her)
02 6494 7962
Bega Valley Campus
Academic School of Nursing
Jaclyn Marin (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Undergraduate Student Pre-Medicine Degree
Jenny Fisher (she/her)
02 4221 5484
Wollongong Campus
Academic (also Associate Dean, EDI) School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Kelly Lambert (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Academic Program Director (Nutrition and Dietetics) School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS)
Kerry Dawes (she/her)
Wollongong Hospital
Clinical Lecturer Graduate School of Medicine
Kristy Blackburn (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Honours Administration & Professional Officer School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Laura Mothersdill (she/her)
02 4221 5674 (office)
02 4221 3203 (prep)
Wollongong Campus
Senior Techincal Officer and Team Leader School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience (SCMB)
Liz Halcomb (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Academic School of Nursing
Martina Sanderson-Smith (she/her)
02 4298 1935
Wollongong Campus
Academic (also Associate Head of School, EDI) School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience (SCMB)
Megan Thomas (they/them)
Wollongong Campus
Regional Academic Leader & GP (also Associate Head of School, EDI) Graduate School of Medicine
Nicholas Deutscher (he/him)
Wollongong Campus
Academic School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Siobhan Heatwole (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
PhD Candidate School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS)
Suzanne Bowdler (she/her)
Liverpool Campus
Academic School of Nursing
Yasmine Probst (she/her)
Wollongong Campus
Academic (also Associate Head of School, EDI) School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS)

UOW Ally Network

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Contacts

Dr Jenny Fisher
Building 41, Room 260C
T + 61 2 4221 5484

Positions currently vacant. Please email smah-edi@uow.edu.au if you are an undergraduate student in SMAH who might be interested in joining the Faculty EDI Committee.

Meet our Committee

Our EDI Committee have created videos to introduce themselves. You can view the videos at the below link, please log-in with your UOW email address via Microsoft. 

View the videos here