Higher Equity Summit | Page 7

1600–1630 ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: EXPLORING THE LEAKY PIPELINE The career journey of women in science and academia is often described as the “leaky pipeline”. It is unacceptable, we simply cannot afford to miss out on the talents of a whole section of our population because of their gender. So it has to be fixed. We need a gender-balanced STEM workforce to address the challenges facing Australia. So, gender equality must be a business priority for universities. It’s time to challenge the status quo and change our organisational cultures. Professor Steve Chapman | Vice Chancellor and President | Edith Cowan University Professor Steve Chapman commenced his role as Vice-Chancellor and President of Edith Cowan University in April 2015. Prior to joining ECU, Professor Chapman was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University from 2009, and Vice-Principal at the University of Edinburgh from 2006. Among his board and committee memberships while Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, Professor Chapman chaired the Funding Policy Committee of Universities Scotland, and was member of the Board of the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association. Professor Chapman holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy from Newcastle University. He received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Edinburgh in 2011. 1630–1700 WHAT TO DO ABOUT GENDER INEQUITIES IN THE WORKPLACE: COUNTERPROGRAMMING AND BIAS BUSTING Beyond devising a leak-plugging strategy, we need a superior multi-input water system and distribution network. An overall organisational cultural change process will be discussed in this case study within the university context. However, we know that gender stereotypes are defined as early as 5 years of age, so achieving gender equality won’t happen with interventions that are limited to the workplace. What individuals and organisations can do to confront and ultimately resolve gender inequality will be covered. Professor Cobie Rudd | Deputy Vice Chancellor (Strategic Partnerships) and Vice President | Edith Cowan University Cobie leads gender equity in academia for ECU as part of the first pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter in Australia. She has provided leadership for a diverse range of capacity-building and research projects aimed at providing skilled, inter-professional and sustainable workforces. In 2011, she was one of five National Teaching Fellows appointed by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching. She has also worked in Queensland and Canberra in senior policy research and advisory roles for both state and commonwealth governments. Professor Rudd holds Western Australia cabinet-endorsed appointments to the State Training Board and the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention. 1700 CONFERENCE CLOSE CAMPUSREVIEW.COM.AU/HIGHER-EQUITY-SUMMIT 7