ECU staff members involved with LGBTIQA+ inclusion work. L-R: Heidi Apostoles with Lulu, Professor Sophia Nimphius, Graeme Watson, Michelle Rogers and Phoebe Saunders. Image credit: Em Anderton.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has been awarded Silver Employer status at Pride in Diversity's 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards.
This achievement makes ECU the highest ranked university in Western Australia for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
The Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards is based on the results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), which serves as the definitive national benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. This comprehensive tool includes a roadmap, auditing and benchmarking components (AWEI Submission), and an engagement survey to establish national standards of best practice in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
The Awards were first held in 2011 and are an acknowledgement and celebration of organisations that demonstrate foundational and progressive efforts towards making their workplaces inclusive for LGBTQ+ people.
ECU Director, Access and Equity, Dr Fiona Navin says achieving silver in the AWEI is the result of ECU's long-term commitment to supporting and celebrating LGBTQ+ people.
"LGBTQ+ inclusion is something ECU is committed to university wide and at all levels, which is reflected in our Equity and Inclusion Plan 2022-2026," said Dr Navin.
"We know that LGBTIQA+ people still experience discrimination, and that we have a responsibility as a university to reduce barriers to education and employment, and ensure everyone feels safe, welcomed, and celebrated.
ECU Equity Projects Coordinator, Stevie Lane says the University is proud of this achievement and the culture of inclusion driven by ECU staff. “These initiatives are collaboratively driven by our Pride at ECU advisory Committee, LGBTIQA+ Ally Network Leadership Team and LGBTIQA+ Staff Network Working Group," said Mx Lane.
"Achieving silver reflects the collective efforts of many to ensure LGBTIQA+ individuals feel safe at ECU, with the necessary policies and processes in place to eliminate barriers to an inclusive and accessible work environment.
"This work is ongoing, and ECU is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve our practice, and the AWEI provides us with a fantastic framework to do so."
Find out more about the winners of the 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards.
Note: Pride in Diversity uses the acronym 'LGBTQ+' to reflect their expertise in diverse gender and sexuality. ECU uses the acronym 'LGBTIQA+' and engages in the expertise of intersex organisations in addition to our work with Pride in Diversity.
