Across scientific fields of research, there is extensive evidence that we lack diversity amongst researchers, which means we are missing potential talent and innovation, and opportunities for science careers is inequitable. There is a need to support, promote, and partner with researchers from different ethnic, sex, cultural, religious, geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds, researchers who may be disadvantaged due to gender, sexuality or disability, and those who need support for other reasons. We aim to achieve the following goals:

1. Gender balance and Indigenous representation in ANS committees and conference positions that reflects the ANS membership

2. Increased opportunities for caregivers to engage with ANS

3. Increased awareness in our membership of the obstacles to equity, and the importance of addressing these obstacles

4. Increased awareness in our membership of strategies to address inequity in science

5. Initiatives to support conference attendance by researchers from underrepresented areas in our region

6. Be an influence for positive change in academic institutions, funding bodies and society more broadly Term of Reference Equity & Diversity Policy

Term of Reference

Equity & Diversity Policy

Please scroll down to see the members of the Equity & Diversity Committee, information about awards on offer and also links to resources.

 

Awards

The Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) is offering travel awards for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori students and researchers to attend the 2024 ASM in Perth from December 2-4. Applications for this award have now closed. 
 
The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for Indigenous students and research staff to participate in the ANS meeting and engage with the local neuroscience research community. Existing research experience in neuroscience is not a pre-requisite, and we're especially excited to hear from students and researchers who are interested in neuroscience and looking to strengthen their connection with the field, or access new research training and collaborative opportunities.

The award includes:
  • free meeting registrations
  • travel budget (adjusted for travel distance to cover return flights and 3 nights accommodation) 
  • free ANS membership for 1 year
  • the opportunity to stay for an extra night and visit two leading research institutes in Perth, The Telethon Kids Institute and Perron Institute.
  • travel awards for junior (e.g. undergraduate, masters and PhD students, research assistants and recent PhD graduates <2 years post PhD) and established (>2 years post PhD including postdocs and faculty) candidates are available.

 

Other Resources on Equity, Diversity, and Cultural Competence:

ALBA Declaration: https://www.alba.network/declaration  ANS is an endorsing organisation of the ALBA Declaration.

NHMRC Gender Equity Strategy 2022-2025: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research-policy/gender-equity/nhmrc-gender-equity-strategy-2022-2025

ARC Diversity and Inclusion Framework: https://www.arc.gov.au/about-arc/corporate-policies/diversity-inclusion-framework

SFN - Neuroline Diversity Resources: https://neuronline.sfn.org/diversity

Black in Neuro: https://blackinneuro.com/

Stories of WIN: https://www.storiesofwin.org/

Lowitja Institute - Supporting Indigenous Researchers: https://www.lowitja.org.au/page/services/resources/health-services-and-workforce/workforce/Supporting-Indigenous-Researchers

USYD free cultural competency training Massive Online Open Courses: https://www.sydney.edu.au/nccc/education-and-training/massive-online-open-courses.html

Centre for Cultural Competence Australia (CCCA) training courses: https://www.ccca.com.au/content/ccca-courses 

Queer in STEMM: https://queersinscience.org.au/

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Standard for Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation Variables: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/standard-sex-gender-variations-sex-characteristics-and-sexual-orientation-variables/latest-release

ALBA webinar on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Oceania: https://www.alba.network/DEI-Oceania. 

 

Athena SWAN program for gender equity for Women in Science

Please see below a link to a small study of the impact of the Athena SWAN program for gender equity for Women in Science, the principles of which have been adopted by ANS.

Please Click Here

 

 Gender Equity & Diversity Committee

 

Lyndsey Collins-Praino

University of Adelaide

Chair

Lyndsey Collins Praino Headshots S1 89

 

Johanna Montgomery

Deputy Chair

University of Auckland

 

 

 

 Johanna

 

 

Ethan Scott

University of Melbourne

 

 

 Ethan

 

Lizzie Manning

University of Newcastle

Lizzie Manning 1

 
 
 
 
Michelle Rank
University of Melbourne
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Michelle

 

Dr Adele Woodhouse

 University of Tasmania

Adele Woodhouse Photo

 

Melissa Sharpe

The University of Sydney

Mel Sharpe E D

 

Heather Macpherson,

Queensland Brain Institute

Heather Macpherson E D