SAGE has awarded Monash University its fourth Cygnet award, this time for the Faculty of Information Technology’s long-term support of academic carers.
The responsibilities of parents and caregivers can profoundly affect their ability to maintain academic career momentum, remain competitive in research and ultimately, succeed.
This Cygnet award recognises the Faculty of IT’s long-term commitment to addressing the complex barriers faced by academic carers at all levels, a continuing priority in its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee”s Strategic Plan 2023-2025.
Provost and Senior Vice President Susan Elliott thanked SAGE for the University’s fourth Cygnet award. “We’re dedicated to supporting academic staff with caregiving responsibilities.
“I congratulate the Faculty of Information Technology for leading by example and setting a high standard for others to follow in making academia a more supportive career choice for everyone.”
SAGE CEO Dr Janin Bredehoeft congratulated the University.
“It’s exciting to see Monash making rapid progress through the SAGE Framework, and producing work of really high-quality.
“These interventions are making demonstrable changes in the lives of staff who have caregiving commitments and want to continue their academic careers without being penalised,” said Dr Bredehoeft.
Delivering tailored research support programs and practices
The Faculty of IT’s ongoing Carers Travel Support Scheme helps staff and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students participate in academic activities such as conferences and fieldwork that require travel. This includes covering expenses for accompanying dependents or travel for relatives to assist with caring for children at home
In its pilot, 19 carers in the Faculty of IT accessed this funding support.
One of the academics who accessed the scheme was Research Fellow Dr Anuradha Madugalla. “I have a daughter who is one-and-a-half-years-old and this was my first academic trip with her. The Scheme enabled me to take both her and my husband, which really helped me attend the training workshops with peace of mind,” she said.
The Faculty of IT’s increasing focus on work flexibility has also led to three times more academic staff of all genders accessing paid carer’s leave and part-time work.
Reinforcing parent and carer-friendly workplaces
For several years, the Faculty of IT has delivered initiatives to help academics rebuild their career momentum after returning from extended leave such as parental leave. These include academic workload adjustments, research funding and access to additional tutors.
Collectively, these programs have helped staff recoup significant hours of research time missed while on leave and better balance integral research activities with their teaching and service duties.
“Implementing tailored support that recognises the unique situations of caregivers is not only crucial for addressing the immediate needs of staff but also for fostering a supportive and thriving academic environment in the long term,” said Professor Yolande Strengers, the Faculty of IT’s inaugural Associate Dean (EDI) and EDI Committee Chair who served in these positions from 2020 to 2023.
“These changes are more than procedural, they are essential steps towards a workplace where everyone can participate,” Professor Strengers said.
The Faculty of IT’s equitable and inclusive meeting standards – outlining shorter meeting times, hybrid participation, designated meeting-free days and scheduling that’s cognisant of school drop-offs/pick-ups – have also made it easier for academics to join important meetings while navigating their caregiving responsibilities.
Raising awareness and changing the narrative
Through its Town Hall gatherings, internal newsletter, emails, Workplace groups and word-of-mouth advocacy, the Faculty of IT provides accurate and accessible information about support for caregivers available at Monash.
This comprehensive communications strategy intentionally adopts a gender-neutral approach to break prevailing stereotypes that perpetuate the disproportionate burden of caring responsibilities on birthing parents – commonly women.
These efforts have resulted in Faculty members feeling more equipped to guide caregivers to appropriate help, with 44.4 per cent of staff in 2024 reporting greater confidence to do so compared to only 16.2 per cent in 2019.
Continuing the legacy of impact
Although the Faculty of IT has had an enduring commitment to supporting academic parents and carers, it recognises there is still a long way to go and looks forward to using this achievement as a springboard for greater impact.
Professor Rashina Hoda, FIT’s current Associate Dean (EDI) and EDI Committee Chair said, “I would like to thank Cally Martin, Strategic and Planning Specialist, and the EDI Committee members for all their hard work. Their tireless efforts are truly deserving of the Athena SWAN Cygnet Award recognition.
“I also want to express my gratitude to the Faculty’s senior leadership team, which includes our Dean Professor Ann Nicholson, Deputy Dean Professor Carsten Rudolph and Faculty General Manager Kerrie Weippert-Rowe, who have shown unwavering support of our strategy.
“Although the outcomes over the past several years reflect steadily diminishing barriers for caregivers, more can be done.
“We acknowledge that many challenges still remain and prevent talented academics from realising their full potential – so we remain wholly committed to doing greater things to make academia a more inclusive and supportive field,” Professor Hoda said.
About the SAGE Athena Swan Cygnet Awards
An internationally-recognised framework, the Cygnet Awards celebrate the long-term impact of organisational initiatives that champion gender equality and diversity. They highlight impactful practices or programs that demonstrate significant promise and potential for fostering positive change.
This milestone fourth Cygnet Award is a significant step towards Silver accreditation in the Athena SWAN program for Monash University.
The Faculty of IT”s gender equity programs have also been key contributors to Monash being recognised by another Cygnet Award for gender equity in STEMM careers.
