Diversity and Inclusion
Our Culture
The Melbourne Medical School is a diverse and inclusive environment for staff and students to be supported to flourish in their chosen career trajectory. We respect that diversity in gender, cultural heritage and background, sexual orientation, and physical ability enhances the campus experience. We are strongly committed to increasing diversity to ensure an optimal experience for all those engaging with and attending the School. We have zero-tolerance for attitudes or behaviours that do not reflect our diverse and inclusive culture or demonstrate positive workplace behaviour. Our broader faculty values of collaboration and teamwork, compassion, respect, integrity and accountability underpin our culture.
We are proud that the University of Melbourne is a founding member of the SAGE (Science in Australia Gender Equity) initiative committing to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter to promote gender equity and diversity, particularly in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine) fields.
Alongside the benefits that are available to all University and Faculty staff members, the Melbourne Medical School has launched initiatives that complement our plan to make our School a place that doesn’t just talk about diversity. We recognise that we are not there yet, but with 41% of women in Level E positions (increased from 37% in 2021), we have already exceeded our year-end target and we are committed to building on this.
Strategic Grants for Outstanding Women
Launched in 2019 and offered biennially, the scheme is an initiative led by the Melbourne Medical School and generously supported by our health service partners. The scheme is designed to assist high-performing early to mid-career women in academia in negotiating some of the challenges faced as they pursue career progression towards senior academic and leadership roles.
In 2021, ten grants have been awarded through a competitive application process. These grants are being used to support a broad range of activities to support career advancement objectives.
Indigenous Development Grant
The University of Melbourne acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which its campuses are situated. The University has campuses and facilities on the lands of the Kulin peoples, which includes the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung Wathaurong, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, as well as the Yorta Yorta nation.
The Melbourne Medical School is strongly committed to driving change in Indigenous healthcare by increasing representation of Indigenous Australians at all organisational levels.
The Indigenous Development Grants scheme aims to foster the professional development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional and academic staff, including prospective staff, and graduate research students in our School. Supported activities include a wide range of teaching, research and administrative projects.
Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership
The Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership group aims to highlight best practices, share ideas, and provide personal development and networking opportunities to both current and aspiring women in academic leadership within the Melbourne Medical School.
The group hosts events to connect with inspiring women leaders and encourage building a community of practice for women clinicians in academia. Events are open to all who wish to foster and promote women clinicians in academic leadership.
For more information on the group visit: https://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/diversity-and-inclusion/initiatives/women-clinicians-in-academic-leadership-group#working-group
In addition to our Melbourne Medical School specific initiatives the University also provides a number of services which support the needs of our diverse workforce:
Equity and Disability Support
Student equity and disability support provides services to those that need assistance with their studies. To find out more on the standards for students, staff, and the wider University community please visit https://students.unimelb.edu.au/student-support/student-equity-and-disability-support
Pride in Action
The University of Melbourne’s inaugural LGBTQIA+ ally network, Pride in Action, unites staff and students who identify as LGBTQIA+, their allies and supporters, to create opportunities to share information and foster an inclusive and supportive environment. Learn more at https://about.unimelb.edu.au/news-resources/pride-in-action-ally-network
We are also a member of Pride in Diversity, the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTI workplace inclusion specialising in HR, organisational change, and workplace diversity. Pride in Diversity publishes the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), Australia’s national benchmarking instrument for LGBTI workplace inclusion from which Top Employers for LGBTI people is determined. Learn more at http://www.prideinclusionprograms.com.au/
Supporting Families and Childcare
For parents that need some private space on campus there are parent/breastfeeding rooms available on campus for staff and students. For more information, please visit https://students.unimelb.edu.au/student-support/childcare/parents-rooms
We have subsidised on-site childcare facilities including at Queensberry Street and Swanston Street, an Early Learning Centre in Abbotsford and the Family Club Co-operative, a community managed childcare centre close to the Parkville campus. For more information, please visit https://services.unimelb.edu.au/childcare/home
Flexible Working Arrangements
We support flexible working arrangements to help staff achieve work-life balance. More information can be found at https://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/beyond2018/people-and-culture/mdhs-careers-melbourne/support-and-development-hub/flexible-working
Our Achievements
New leadership positions in the Melbourne Medical School include:
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Associate Professor |
Professor |
Professor |
Professor |
Professor 
Jawun Development Program
The Melbourne Medical School is pleased to participate in the Jawun Development Program which sends skilled professionals from Australia’s leading companies and government agencies into Indigenous organisations on six-week secondments.
Our recent Jawun secondee
In 2020, Christine Lancaster undertook a virtual secondment (due to COVID-19 restrictions) to the Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation in Ceduna, South Australia. Yadu provides clinical health services and community health programs to Ceduna and its surrounding communities. Christine had the opportunity to work with a team to develop Yadu’s website to assist community members access information about the services it offers. She also worked with Yadu staff to develop resources to run events.
In 2021, Christine had the opportunity to consolidate her previous experience by undertaking an in-person secondment in Ceduna. Christine is happy to share the benefits of this life-changing experience with others and presented on this topic at the School’s Administration and Professional Staff Network in July.