From Problem to Impact

• 2015–2017 data showed women were consistently underrepresented among fixed-term and ongoing academic staff in SSTE, with an average of 19% of the academic workforce across the three years.
• Workforce data also showed a structural difference in employment type, with women representing 44–49% of sessional academic staff over the same period, but much lower in fixed-term/ongoing.
• Student enrolment and progression data demonstrated an underrepresentation of women across the STEM pipeline, with women comprising only 34% of SSTE enrolments in 2017 and higher degree by research (HDR) enrolments declining from 53% in 2015–2016 to 45% in 2017.

What actions did UniSC deliver?

• Increased women’s representation in leadership, embedded diversity, equity and inclusion within governance, introduced inclusive recruitment practices, targeted women-only recruitment in Engineering, and structured promotion support for academic women.
• Implemented outreach and engagement activities, including the MindSET-do initiative, Future Students, Headstart STEM courses, Girls in ICT Day and media campaigns to attract and support women and girls.
• Introduced a STEM specialisation in the Bachelor of Primary Education, equipping a predominantly women preservice teachers with the confidence, knowledge and skills to deliver STEM education.