Women in the workplace

The University of Sydney, as an equal opportunity employer, provides affirmative action programs and employment policies that support women in the workplace. Initiatives in place to promote gender equity include:

Fellowships for female academics

The University awarded five Thompson Fellowships in 2012. These provide academic employment opportunities for women at Levels C and D and prepare them for roles at Levels D and E, where they remain significantly underrepresented.

Two Brown Fellowships were also awarded. Open to university researchers whose careers have been interrupted by sustained primary caring duties, they aim to assist recipients to re-establish or enhance their academic research careers.

Welcome to Women

A ‘Welcome to Women’ orientation program, providing information particularly relevant to new female staff. The program will be run twice a year and complements the University’s more general orientation program, as female staff have requested further specific information be made available. Listen to the presentation

Revised Academic Promotions policy

The Academic Promotions policy has been revised to ensure that applicant achievements are able to be more easily assessed relative to opportunity. It has been recognised that factors such as part-time/fractional employment, significant parenting or other caring responsibilities, or clinical responsibilities, may affect employment opportunity. Promotions committees need to assess achievements in the context of the applicant’s opportunity (in most instances, fewer opportunities) to undertake tasks relative to other members of staff at an equivalent level. Find out more

Women in Leadership

The specifically targeted Women in Leadership suite of programs fosters the professional development of women who aspire to, or are in, leadership or management roles at the University, inviting guest speakers to share their career highlights and how they have negotiated barriers to female achievement. Find out more

Negotiating and Influencing Skills for Senior Staff

In response to feedback from senior female staff, the University has organised a professional development program for women on negotiating and influencing skills. Recognising the need for more equitable representation of women at Levels E and D and at Level 10 and above, the program targets women at the levels immediately below these. 2011 dates for this program are to be confirmed. Queries: email the