In the decade since its inception, SAGE network has gone from strength to strength, taking strides towards a more equitable future in the higher education and research sector.
The SAGE Awards honour that work.
The Awards are open to individuals and teams who:
Location: Aerial Function Room, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Date: 25 August 2025 6pm to 10pm
Tickets are available through the Conference registration portal.
Nomination Submission Deadline: Midnight AEST on 22 June 2025.
Notification of outcomes: 1 July 2025.
Nominations can be self-selected or nominated by a third party.
Applicants may apply for more than one Award and may use information in multiple award application if applicable.
Nominations should be submitted by email to SAGE2025@catalystevents.com.au.
Please provide (in a Word Doc attachment of no more than 2 pages):
As relevant, please also attach:
Nominees may be contacted by the Award committee and ask to provide further information.
Nominations are now open in the following categories:
This award recognises an individual or team who has fostered impactful collaborations that advance equity, diversity and inclusion within the higher education and research sector.
This award celebrates an individual or team who has challenged the status quo and driven meaningful change in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector.
This award recognises an individual or team who has functioned as a catalyst for positive change in gender equity, diversity and inclusion within the higher education and research sector.
This award honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in championing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector.
This prestigious award recognises an individual who has dedicated their career to advancing gender equity, diversity inclusion within the higher education and research sector, making significant and lasting contributions.
All applications must address the following criteria: (as well as the specific award criteria):
In addition, applications must also address the relevant award-specific criteria:
This award recognises an individual or team who has fostered impactful collaborations that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector. We seek nominations that demonstrate:
Meaningful Partnerships: Evidence of successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders (e.g., other institutions, community groups, industry) to achieve shared goals.
Shared Impact: Demonstrated positive outcomes resulting from the collaboration, specifically related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Inclusive Practices: A commitment to equitable and inclusive collaboration practices, ensuring diverse voices are heard and valued.
Innovation and Creativity: Innovative approaches to collaboration that have led to significant progress in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Impact of Collaboration (40%): Evidence of tangible positive outcomes resulting from the collaboration, specifically related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. Consider the scale and scope of the impact, the target groups benefited, and the sustainability of the outcomes.
Strength of Partnerships (30%): Demonstrated effectiveness of the collaborative partnerships, including the diversity of stakeholders involved (e.g., other institutions, community groups, industry), the level of engagement, and the equitable distribution of contributions and benefits.
Innovation and Approach (20%): Novelty and creativity of the collaborative approach, including the methods used to foster collaboration and the strategies employed to address gender equity, diversity, and inclusion challenges.
Inclusivity of Practices (10%): Evidence of a commitment to equitable and inclusive collaboration practices, including how diverse voices were heard and valued, and how potential power imbalances were addressed.
This award recognises an individual or team who has fostered impactful collaborations that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector. We seek nominations that demonstrate:
Meaningful Partnerships: Evidence of successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders (e.g., other institutions, community groups, industry) to achieve shared goals.
Shared Impact: Demonstrated positive outcomes resulting from the collaboration, specifically related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Inclusive Practices: A commitment to equitable and inclusive collaboration practices, ensuring diverse voices are heard and valued.
Innovation and Creativity: Innovative approaches to collaboration that have led to significant progress in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Impact of Collaboration (40%): Evidence of tangible positive outcomes resulting from the collaboration, specifically related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. Consider the scale and scope of the impact, the target groups benefited, and the sustainability of the outcomes.
Strength of Partnerships (30%): Demonstrated effectiveness of the collaborative partnerships, including the diversity of stakeholders involved (e.g., other institutions, community groups, industry), the level of engagement, and the equitable distribution of contributions and benefits.
Innovation and Approach (20%): Novelty and creativity of the collaborative approach, including the methods used to foster collaboration and the strategies employed to address gender equity, diversity, and inclusion challenges.
Inclusivity of Practices (10%): Evidence of a commitment to equitable and inclusive collaboration practices, including how diverse voices were heard and valued, and how potential power imbalances were addressed.
This award celebrates an individual or team who has challenged the status quo and driven meaningful change in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector. We seek nominations that display:
Courage and Vision: A willingness to challenge conventional thinking and advocate for bold solutions.
Impactful Disruption: Evidence of their disruptive actions leading to tangible improvements in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Innovation and Creativity: Creative and innovative approaches to disrupting systemic barriers and driving change.
Resilience and Perseverance: Demonstrated commitment to their cause, even in the face of resistance or adversity.
Impact of Disruption (50%): Evidence of the disruptive actions leading to tangible and significant improvements in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. Consider the scale and scope of the change achieved, the target groups benefited, and the long-term effects of the disruption.
Courage and Vision (25%): Demonstrated willingness to challenge conventional thinking, advocate for bold solutions, and take calculated risks to drive change.
Innovation and Creativity (15%): Novelty and effectiveness of the approaches used to disrupt systemic barriers and drive change.
Resilience and Perseverance (10%): Demonstrated commitment to their cause, even in the face of resistance or adversity, including evidence of learning from setbacks and adapting strategies.
This award recognises an individual or team who has functioned as a catalyst for positive change in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector. We seek nominations that highlight:
Driving Momentum: Evidence of initiating and mobilizing others to support and advance gender equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
Facilitating Change: Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate and manage change processes within their institution or the sector.
Impactful Initiatives: Successful implementation of programs or initiatives that have demonstrably improved gender equity, diversity, and inclusion outcomes.
Sustainability: A focus on creating sustainable and long-lasting change.
Impact of Initiatives (40%): Evidence of successful implementation of programs or initiatives that have demonstrably improved gender equity, diversity, and inclusion outcomes. Consider the scale and scope of the impact, the target groups benefited, and the sustainability of the initiatives.
Effectiveness in Driving Momentum (30%): Demonstrated ability to initiate and mobilize others to support and advance gender equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, including evidence of building coalitions and fostering engagement.
Facilitation of Change (20%): Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate and manage change processes within their institution or the sector, including navigating complex organizational structures and overcoming barriers to change.
Focus on Sustainability (10%): Evidence of a focus on creating sustainable and long-lasting change, including strategies for embedding gender equity, diversity, and inclusion into organizational culture and practices.
This award honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in championing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector. We seek nominations that illustrate:
Visionary Leadership: A clear vision for advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion and a demonstrated ability to inspire others.
Strategic Impact: Evidence of developing and implementing effective strategies that have led to significant improvements in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Commitment to Action: A history of actively promoting and advocating for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Mentorship and Support: A commitment to mentoring and supporting others in their journey towards advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Strategic Impact (40%): Evidence of developing and implementing effective strategies that have led to significant improvements in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. Consider the scale and scope of the impact, the target groups benefited, and the alignment of strategies with institutional or sector-wide goals.
Visionary Leadership (30%): Clarity of vision for advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion and demonstrated ability to inspire and mobilize others to achieve that vision.
Commitment to Action (20%): Track record of actively promoting and advocating for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, including specific examples of actions taken and their impact.
Mentorship and Support (10%): Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and supporting others in their journey towards advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, including examples of mentoring activities and their impact.
This prestigious award recognises an individual who has dedicated their career to advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education and research sector, making significant and lasting contributions. We seek nominations that demonstrate:
Sustained Commitment: A long-term commitment to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a substantial body of work spanning many years.
Significant Impact: Evidence of their work having a profound and lasting impact on the sector.
Leadership and Influence: Demonstrated leadership and influence in shaping policy, practice, or discourse related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Inspiration and Legacy: A legacy of inspiring and mentoring others to continue the work of advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Significance of Contributions (50%): Evidence of the individual’s work having a profound and lasting impact on the higher education and research sector related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. Consider the breadth and depth of their contributions, their influence on policy and practice, and their impact on the experiences of diverse groups.
Sustained Commitment (30%): Length and consistency of the individual’s commitment to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, including evidence of a substantial body of work spanning many years.
Leadership and Influence (15%): Demonstrated leadership and influence in shaping policy, practice, or discourse related to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, including examples of their leadership roles and their impact on the sector.
Inspiration and Legacy (5%): Evidence of the individual’s work inspiring and mentoring others to continue the work of advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, including examples of their mentorship activities and their impact on the next generation of leaders.
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