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.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
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.
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)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resources
- Inclusive environments
- Cultural & Religious Work-Restricted Holiday Dates
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culturally Significant Days
- Faculty of Science Medicine and Health Allies
- Best Practices for Inclusive Meetings guidelines (PDF)
- List of UOW Meeting Rooms (PDF) (choose Category 4 for hybrid meetings and events)
- Tips for Inclusive Teaching Environments (PDF)
- Guide for Inclusive Collection of Personal Data (PDF)
- Disability 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:
January
- 26 January: Survival Day (anniversary of official Colonisation - 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Botany Bay)
- 26 January: anniversary of the 1938 Day of Mourning
- 26 January: anniversary of establishment of the Tent Embassy in 1972
February
- 12 - 26 February: anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride
- 13 February: anniversary of the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations
March
- 20 – 26 March: Harmony Week
- 16 March: National Close the Gap Day
April
- 5 April: anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report (1997)
- 25 April: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans’ Diggers March (ANZAC day)
May
- 21 May: anniversary of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962 (amended to full voting rights in 1984)
- 26 May: National Sorry Day
- 26 May: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen Commemoration Service
- 26 May: anniversary of the Uluru Statement (2017)
- 27 May: anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
- 27 May - 03 June: National Reconciliation Week | #NRW2023 Be a Voice for Generations
- 28 May: anniversary of the Walk for Reconciliation across Sydney Harbour Bridge (2000)
June
- 03 June: Mabo Day (anniversary of 'Mabo and others v Queensland (No 2) (1992)')
- 10 June: anniversary of 1838 Myall Creek massacre (first judicial convictions of British Subjects)
- 26 June – 30 June: 2023 Indigenous Nationals, sports competition
July
- 02 July – 09 July: National NAIDOC Week | #NAIDOC2023 For Our Elders
- 14 July: Aboriginal Flag recognised in 1995 as official flag of Australia - Flags Act 1953
- 14 July: Torres Strait Islander Flag recognised in 1995 as official flag of Australia - Flags Act 1953
August
- 4 August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
- 9 August: UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
- 22 August: Captain Cook declared Australia 'terra nullius' in 1770
- 22 August: Captain Cook claimed East Coast of Australia for Britain in 1770
September
- 01 September: anniversary of 1794 Hawkesbury River massacre (first acknowledged killing of Indigenous Peoples)
- 7 September: National Indigenous Literacy Day
- 13 September: anniversary of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007)
October
- 02 October: 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout
November
- 11 November: 2023 Giiyong Festival
December
- 10 December: anniversary of the Redfern Speech (1992)
- 10 December: UN International Human Rights Day
| Name, location and contact details | Role at UOW | Unit |
|---|---|---|
|
Ali Kimbrough (she/her) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Contacts
- Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- Associate Heads of School (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- Postgraduate Representatives
- Undergraduate Representatives
Dr Jenny Fisher
Building 41, Room 260C
T + 61 2 4221 5484
- Haibo Yu, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience
- Anthony Dosseto, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences
- Megan Thomas, Graduate School of Medicine
- John Rihari-Thomas, School of Nursing
- Yasmine Probst, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences
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.