Western Sydney University receives SAGE Athena Swan Cygnet Award for Flexible Work
Western Sydney University’s achievements in increasing flexible work opportunities for all staff have been recognised with a prestigious SAGE Athena Swan Cygnet Award.
The Cygnet Award for Flexible Work is an important milestone for the University’s participation in the SAGE Athena Swan initiative – a national accreditation and awards program for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in the higher education sector.
This recognition follows the University’s Athena Swan Bronze Institutional Award in 2020 for its work in promoting gender equity across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).
More recently, Western Sydney University was named number one in the world for the second year in a row for its social, economic and environmental impact in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, including being named first in the world for Gender Equality in 2023.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said Western Sydney University is incredibly proud of the opportunities that have been created for staff to work more flexibly.
“The University is committed to providing a supportive and adaptive work environment for our diverse academic and professional staff. We know that flexible work practices are essential for increasing engagement, satisfaction and retention, and have a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of our staff,” said Professor Glover.
“The SAGE Athena Swan Cygnet Award is recognition of our efforts to support and promote gender equity, diversity and inclusiveness across the University. I warmly congratulate everyone who has contributed to this impressive achievement.”
Western Sydney University is one of the first universities in Australia to have formalised remote working arrangements of up to two days a week in its Professional Staff Agreement. It also has introduced a range of initiatives to promote and encourage flexible work across the University, including for Indigenous staff and male parents.
Western Sydney University’s Executive Sponsor for SAGE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International, Professor Deborah Sweeney, acknowledged the University’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.
“The University’s intersectional and systemic approach to gender equity continues to be a best-practice exemplar for the sector,” said Professor Sweeney.
The Flexible Work Cygnet is the first of five Cygnet Key Priority Areas to help drive improvements in gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the University. The other four categories are Academic Promotions, Indigenous Staff, WSU Parents and Carers, and Leadership for Gender Equity in COVID-19 Response.
Achievements across all these areas will help to inform the University’s submission for the Athena Swan Silver Institutional Award in 2025.
SAGE Chief Executive Officer Dr Janin Bredehoeft congratulated Western Sydney University on its efforts.
“Through their work with SAGE, the University identified the benefits of flexible work beyond supporting those in caring roles, for example for First Nations people. Flexible work makes space for everyone to be their whole selves at work,” said Dr Bredehoeft.
The national SAGE announcement and the University’s full Flexible Work Cygnet application can be viewed via the SAGE website (opens in a new window).
ENDS
25 September 2023
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