UQ Support Networks & Communities
Ally Network
The UQ Ally Network is an award-winning program that provides a visible network of well-informed staff who create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for sex, gender and sexuality diverse people at UQ and in the broader community.
UQ Allies are not experts about matters of sexuality, sex and gender - they are people who strongly support UQ's stance on making the University an accepting, positive, diverse and inclusive space.
In particular, a UQ Ally understands the reasons why:
many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) people are not in positions to speak out on their own behalf, or are fearful of being harassed or discriminated against
it is so important to have staff who are prepared to support and participate in developing a positive and inclusive environment for staff and students with diverse sexuality, sex and gender.
#UQRAP Network
The University of Queensland has proudly launched its new #UQRAP Network to ensure a culturally respectful workplace and study environment. Membership is open to all staff and students.
Increased engagement and action by non-Indigenous staff and students in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a key factor in the success of UQ’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2022.
Members of the #UQRAP Network will have opportunities to continue their cultural learning journey and engage with Reconciliation initiatives across UQ.
The Network activities include regular meetings to take action on reconciliation within our spheres of influence, continuing cultural education and being part of a vibrant Microsoft Teams – RAPN Community.
Warm Welcome Program
The Warm Welcome Program helps new staff from overseas to settle into life in Australia by connecting them with a current UQ staff member.
Moving to a new country can be stressful, especially for people who are unfamiliar with the culture and customs. The Warm Welcome Program (WWP) helps ease this transition for new UQ staff and their families, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, by providing:
informal advice and support
connections to other members of the Brisbane community.
Current UQ staff members can volunteer to become Welcomers.
The WWP runs in addition to formal workplace inductions at UQ, including existing induction and transition support provided by HR to staff moving from international locations.
DiversityHub
DiversityHub is a community of students and staff passionate about diversity and inclusion at the University of Queensland. DiversityHub showcases opportunities, industry sessions and events which are designed with purpose to contribute to enhancing inclusion in the workplace.
View initiatives which enhance employability and career development for diverse students, their friends and supporters, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; students with disability and/or mental health conditions; students with caring responsibilities; students who identify as LGBTIAQ+; students from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds; and/or students seeking opportunities to work in non-traditional occupations.
Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Science Women’s Academic Network (SWAN)
The Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Science Women’s Academic Network (SWAN) charter aims to improve gender equity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine (STEMM) disciplines in higher education and research institutions.
Participating organisations apply for award levels that reflect their progress towards gender equity in STEMM. After successfully achieving the entry-level Bronze accreditation, organisations must then implement agreed actions and initiatives before they can apply for higher levels of Silver or Gold status.
SAGE Athena SWAN is an Australian adaptation of an accreditation framework successfully implemented in the United Kingdom since 2005. In the UK, some research grant bodies now require organisations to have a minimum Bronze-level award to be eligible for grant applications.
SAGE Athena SWAN specifically focuses on improving and supporting career progression in STEMM disciplines – where women are under-represented – and requires organisations to address challenges people may experience in these fields.
Nearly 50 Australian organisations, including universities, medical research institutions and government research institutions, are involved in the SAGE Athena SWAN program, with 39 participants achieving Bronze Award accreditation to date.
The program’s many benefits, verified by an independent review of the Athena SWAN charter in 2014, include:
- women being more deliberately and prominently involved in the organisation and the wider sector
- all staff experiencing an increase career development opportunities, self-confidence, and leadership skills
- broader organisational thinking about gender issues.
At UQ, the SAGE Athena SWAN charter is just one of the ways we are committed to improving gender equity.
Initiatives from The SAGE Athena SWAN Program
For staff
In the workplace, the following frameworks, plans and policies guide our progress:
- Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA)
- SAGE Athena SWAN
- University of Queensland Strategic Plan
- diversity and inclusion policies and procedures
- career programs for women
For our staff, initiatives to improve gender equity include:
- increasing the proportion of women in senior positions
- increasing support of career progression of women in research
- providing equal remuneration for women and men for work of equal or comparable value
- removing barriers that prevent women from participating equally in the workplace
- providing more access to resources for women to achieve leadership roles
- eliminating assumptions of caring responsibilities of men and women
- changing workplace culture to embrace gender equality as a normative practice
- assisting in making transition from parental leave to return to work as smooth as possible.
Other initiatives
We also recognise the importance of inspiring students from diverse backgrounds and genders to study in disciplines they may be under-represented in, as they will be our future researchers, leaders and thinkers.
- Women in Engineering
- UQ Women Create Change
- Centre for Gender Equality in the Workplace
Podcast: Women Finding Success
The Women Finding Success podcast is an initiative of the SAGE Athena SWAN Project at The University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane, Australia.
Each episode of the series features inspiring interviews from women who have found success in academic and professional roles at UQ. These women are resilient, smart, proactive, and, more importantly, they’re now working together to implement systemic changes to the University’s culture.
Their goal is to make career progression in all fields more achievable for women.
Listen in weekly to be inspired to break down barriers and challenge expectations.
The series will launch on 8 March 2021 – International Women’s Day – as a timely celebration and reminder of the amazing things women can achieve.
This podcast is produced by UQ Library’s Scholarly Soup podcast team.
Diversity Disability and Inclusion (DDI) (students)
This is a casual group for students with lived experiences of physical, mental health conditions or learning disabilities with a new topic each week. The sessions aim to be light-hearted and informal with a goal of sharing resources and ideas between group members. It is also an opportunity to talk with DDI Advisers regarding university processes and support services that may be helpful on your study journey. The website also provide links for 'Diversity, Disability and Inclusion Mentoring and Support Zoom Link-Up'.
UQU Disability Collective (students)
The UQU Disability Collective (formerly Abilities Collective) is a group for UQ students who experience disability, chronic illness, mental illness, neurodiversity and/or are Deaf. The Collective also exists to offer peer support for its members and to raise awareness of issues surrounding disability throughout the greater university body, and in the wider community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network
This network provides a regular opportunity to get together, share stories, make connections and discuss how UQ can keep developing as an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network is open to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff at UQ.
The network meets 4 times a year, providing an opportunity for a friendly staff catch up where we can have a yarn and discuss matters that are important to our community.
There is also a network newsletter that promotes UQ jobs, training and development opportunities and useful tips, and enables us to share achievements from our community.
Read past editions:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network Newsletter, 29 July 2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network Newsletter, 15 July 2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network Newsletter, 1 July 2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network Newsletter, 17 June 2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network Newsletter, 3 June 2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network Newsletter, 20 May 2020
The creation of this network is an initiative from the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2019-2022.