QAAFI Diversity and Inclusion Committee

QAAFI is dedicated to ensuring diversity and inclusion across all sectors and levels of the Institute.

In line with The University of Queensland’s commitment, QAAFI values equity, diversity and inclusion, and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. A number of networks and programs have been developed to support our equity, diversity and inclusion priorities and objectives.

We are committed to identifying and addressing areas of under-representation among staff and aim to provide a respectful and healthy work environment for staff from all backgrounds, focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, gender, sexuality, gender and sex, cultural and linguistic diversity, disability and work and caring responsibilities. This commitment includes initiatives such as: 

• Work and Family website
• Disability Action Plan
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 
• Warm Welcome Program
• Cultural Competence and Managing Unconscious Bias programs for staff 
• Staff Disability Inclusion and UQ Ally workshops
• Discrimination and Harrassment Contact Officer training

QAAFI Diversity and Inclusion Committee

The QAAFI Diversity and Inclusion Committee's mission is to promote equitable access to both resources and support for all QAAFI students and staff. We aim to help staff and students to foster a culture of diversity, inclusion and fairness, resulting in a positive workplace experience for all.

We recognise that under-represented groups in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) fields face particular challenges to progress to senior levels. Our aim is to identify and remove barriers to career progression for women and other disadvantaged groups. This will ensure equitable career progression for all staff.

We will strive to increase the proportion of under-represented groups in senior leadership positions.  by ensuring equitable approaches that recognise the principles of diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process.

Both the science and the innovation that can be achieved at QAAFI are enhanced by our diverse and multi-faceted workforce. QAAFI welcomes, and values, staff and students from many parts of the world and from all walks of society.

View Committee members

We currently have a number of initiatives in place to promote diversity and inclusion within QAAFI.

These initiatives include:

Creating a family friendly environment

• Encouraging the provision of a dedicated Parenting Rooms across all QAAFI locations. 
• Providing access to on-site parking at all QAAFI sites during the third trimester of pregnancy.
  Please contact Properties and Facilities to organise an Accessible Parking Permit for St Lucia and Gatton campuses.
• Encouraging staff and students to schedule work-related meetings and seminars within family-friendly hours (9:00am - 4:00pm) to promote participation by those with care responsibilities.
• Assist staff and students returning to work after periods of leave due to care responsibilities

Click to view a list of on-campus parenting rooms

Achieving gender and diversity balance

• Encouraging gender and diversity balance in programs for conferences, seminars, workshops, panel sessions and other events hosted by, or associated with, QAAFI, as well as in promotional material e.g. brochures and videos.
• Encouraging QAAFI staff to enquire about the gender equity policy of conferences for which they are invited speakers.
• Ensuring appropriate gender and diversity representation on recruitment panels within QAAFI.

Promoting and supporting a diverse staff and student community

• Supporting international staff and students through the visa application process.
• Promote the QAAFI student & EMCR groups among QAAFI students & early and mid-career researchers.
• Provide information on access to Quiet Rooms as non-denominational spaces for reflection or prayer and Parenting Rooms at QAAFI sites and promote the provision of such rooms at all QAAFI sites.

St Lucia campus
Quiet Rooms are located behind reception on level 2 of the Queensland Biosciences Precinct building 80. Please see staff at reception for access.

Gatton campus
There is a Chapel located on campus as well as a Muslim Prayer Room. Chapel can be unlocked through Security (when locked – if the Chaplin is not on campus) and anyone wishing to use the Muslim Prayer Room is given a code.

Providing equal and fair access to knowledge, training and career progression

• Promote QAAFI’s Primary Caregiver Support Framework among staff.
• Providing  mentorship and guidance in the timing and preparation of promotion, funding and fellowship applications including training in the writing of CVs and other supporting documents. Encourage the provision of past successful applications to applicants for promotion, funding and fellowship schemes.
• Providing information to relevant internal and external leadership courses.

QAAFI Diversity and Inclusion Committee initiatives and activities

• Created the Champion of Change award to reflect on and recognise diversity and inclusion initiatives by staff. The award is presented at the QAAFI End of Year Research Celebration
• Developed the QAAFI Primary Caregiver Support Framework. This Framework was implemented to assist in mitigating the known barriers and challenges faced by those with caring responsibilities when attempting to progress their career
• Encourage Inclusivity and Diversity events at all QAAFI sites (e.g. International lunches) promote these via photos on social media and in QAAFI break. QAAFI's internal fortnightly newsletter, QAAFI Break can include information on news and events promoting diversity. All staff and students are encouraged to submit an article to QAAFI Break
• Created a website with QDIC mission statement and links to useful resources
• Keep track of gender balance at all levels of employment in QAAFI

Download QAAFI's Primary Care Giver Support Framework

Useful diversity resources

Training

• University Equity and Diversity training courses including the Managing Unconscious Bias Program, Discrimination and Harrassment Contact Officer training, Staff Disability Inclusion Workshop, and UQ Ally Workshop
• Cultural Competence Program 
• Equal Opportunity online training 

Tools

• Guide to Using Inclusive Language
• Terminology Guide - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (PDF, 351.5 KB)
• UQ guide for supporting gender affirmation or transition in the workplace (PDF, 611KB)
• A Managers Guide to LGBTI Workplace Inclusion (PDF, 2.6MB) (staff login required)
• Employer Toolkit – assisting employers hire people with disability
• Australian Givernment Human Right's Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool 

Support and networks

• QAAFI HR
• Discrimination and Harassment Contact Officers
• Employee Assist Program (EAP)
• UQ Ally Network
• UQ Union
• Student Services
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network
• UQ Disability Inclusion Group

Women in STEM

• Promoting Women Fellowships 
• Career programs for women
• SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN

University policies and procedures

• 1.70.01 Equity and Diversity
• 1.70.02 Prevention of Sexual Harassment
• 1.70.03 Racism
• 1.70.05 Children on Campus
• 1.70.06 Discrimination and Harassment
• 1.70.08 Disability
• 5.30.18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment
• 5.55.07 Flexible Working Arrangements
• 5.55.08 Annualised Salary Program
• 5.55.09 Part-Time Work
• 5.55.10 Purchased Leave
• 5.55.11 Telecommuting
• 5.60.03 Personal Leave
• 5.60.09 Parental Leave
• 5.60.11 Individual Flexibility Arrangement
• 5.60.12 Religious and Cultural Observance

New leave types with implementation of new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, contact QAAFI HR for further details:

• Cultural Leave – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to attend Indigenous Australian Cultural/Ceremonial obligations
• Primary Care Givers Leave – when taking on primary caregiver responsibilities during the first 12 months after the birth or adoption of a child.