As Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) marks its 10th year, we are proud to release the 2025 Impact Statement. This statement is a reflection of a decade of collaboration, sector leadership, and collective determination to advance gender equity, diversity and inclusion across Australian higher education and research. 

This year’s milestones demonstrate not only how far we’ve come, but also how SAGE’s evidence-based, systemic approach continues to shape a more equitable future for all workplaces.

Celebrating a milestone year 

2025 has been a year of renewed momentum and sector-wide achievement. At the 2025 SAGE Conference and Awards, more than 280 leaders, researchers and practitioners came together to share insights, challenge norms, and celebrate the institutions driving lasting change.

Across our network, we recognised: 

• Monash University as the first Group of Eight institution to receive an Athena Swan Silver Award. 

• 16 new SAGE Cygnet Awards, including Flinders University with the first award to focus on menopause.

• And leaders, academics and professionals who have made extraordinary contributions and shown long-term dedication to SAGE and the Athena Swan Framework.

These achievements reflect years of deep, thoughtful work that continues to shift systems, cultures, and everyday experiences within our institutions. Learn more about our award winners and nominees here. 

SAGE also welcomed a new subscriber university this year, with a formal announcement to come in early 2026.

Welcoming our new chair: Rebecca Murray 

We were also delighted to announce at the 2025 SAGE Awards the appointment of Rebecca Murray as the incoming Chair of the SAGE Board. Rebecca brings more than 25 years of experience across the higher education and research sectors, most recently serving as Vice-President (Strategy) at the University of Sydney.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Libby Lyons, SAGE’s founding Chair, for her leadership over the past five years.

Rebecca shared her thoughts to open this year’s impact statement: “I am honoured to join SAGE at this exciting moment in its journey, and I look forward to supporting the next decade of impact. Together, we can build workplaces where inclusion is not only a moral imperative, but a cornerstone of excellence.”

We warmly congratulate Rebecca on her appointment and look forward to SAGE’s next decade of growth and impact.

Extending our proven accreditation model to TAFEs and MRIs 

A defining highlight of 2025 was the launch of SAGE’s new five-year, $7.1 million project funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources. 

This initiative will expand SAGE’s proven accreditation model to TAFEs and Medical Research Institutes, offering: 

• A nationally recognised, context-sensitive pathway to help TAFEs and MRIs embed gender equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into their systems, culture, and operations.

• A complementary capacity-building program to offer practical tools, guidance, and communities of practice to support institutions at every stage of their GEDI journey. 

SAGE has already engaged 65 representatives across 23 organisations in the discovery phase, laying the groundwork for meaningful, co-designed transformation. 

The next phase will focus on developing a preliminary concept design for the new accreditation framework, followed by a comprehensive consultation process in the second half of 2026. 

SAGE subscribers leading GEDI progress 

Analysis of the 2025 WGEA employer dataset shows that SAGE subscribers consistently outperform their peers across key workplace equity indicators. 

Across tertiary education, medical research institutes, and publicly funded research agencies, subscribers demonstrated: 

• Smaller gender pay gaps than non-subscribers.

• Greater transparency and accountability through pay equity reporting.

• Higher representation of women in senior leadership and on governing bodies.

• Stronger sexual harassment prevention frameworks, including 100% of subscribers having formal policies and risk management plans in place.

Read our subscriber comparison of the tertiary education, medical research and public sectors for more information.

Looking ahead to the next decade 

This year, SAGE took an important step toward shaping its next strategic direction. Through national consultation and sector engagement, we are working closely with subscribers to define what the next decade of transformation should look like and how we can strengthen our support for institutions navigating evolving GEDI challenges. 

“As we look to the future, we’re consulting closely with our network to co-design and shape SAGE’s next decade,” said SAGE CEO, Dr Janin Bredehoeft. 

Read the full 2025 Impact Statement 

The full Impact Statement shares more about the stories, evidence and achievements behind this year’s progress and the people and institutions leading the way. 

Explore our resources, communities of practice and support programs.

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