Headshot of SAGE Ltd CEO Dr Wafa El-Adhami2022 continues to present challenges for many of our communities as we experience significant disruptions caused by floods and the resurgence of COVID-19 infections. Our thoughts are with the families and friends that were impacted by these unfortunate events.

With the second quarter of the year behind us, it is timely to share a few updates from SAGE.

From April to June, the SAGE team delivered 22 one-on-one consultations to guide institutions on their Cygnet Award applications. It is terrific to see this level of interest; I encourage all subscribers to take advantage of this service and our capacity building offerings.

Registrations are open for the newly launched SAGE Intersectionality Series, a program to support subscribers in taking an intersectional approach to gender equity, diversity and inclusion.

We have also extended the consultation on the SAGE Data Framework to 5 September 2022. SAGE subscribers are invited to provide feedback on the framework to ensure that our proposed metrics are fit-for-purpose.

SAGE continues to collaborate with our national partners to implement recommendations from Respect@Work. We contribute to advisory groups for projects such as Respect in Research (Women in Science Parkville Precinct; Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes), and inform and guide national policy on women’s safety through the National Women’s Safety Alliance.

At the same time, our Board Chair Libby Lyons has been supporting the SAGE community by maintaining the public focus on gender equity. In her presentation at the recent AHEIA conference, Libby underscored how gender equity can support post-pandemic recovery in higher education.

I also had the privilege of sharing my experience with a group of women leaders as a part of the WATTLE Program last month. It was lovely to reconnect with colleagues and witness the program’s growth.

Finally, I am pleased to confirm that Professor Anne Kelso AO, Chief Executive Officer of the NHMRC, will join the SAGE National Network Meeting on 20 July to present on options to reach gender equity in the Investigator Grant scheme. This is an excellent opportunity for the SAGE community to hear about this work and contribute to the national discussion.

We look forward to welcoming SAGE subscribers to the upcoming network meetings.

Read more news in the Q2 2022 issue of the SAGE Updates newsletter. You can also join our mailing list below to get the next update directly to your inbox.