ECU WA’s first university to receive five Cygnet Awards for gender equality

Edith Cowan University has become the first and so far only WA university to be awarded five Cygnet Awards. The Cygnet Awards are national gongs recognising gender equality in STEM. The Cygnet Award is the highest honour an institution can achieve from Science in Australia Gender Equality (SAGE) and celebrates STEM pathways that remove barriers that traditionally male-dominated industries face. ECU was the first institution to win the award in 2022, and have now won five, the highest number of gongs a body can receive. Deputy vice-chancellor for regional futures, professor Cobie Rudd, said she was thrilled with the recognition. “We have been working towards becoming a better institution for our staff, current and future students and industry partners through delivering a diverse and inclusive workforce and environment,” she said. “As we keep our aim on achieving silver accreditation, we hope this latest recognition demonstrates that our commitment to gender equity is making a difference with respect to removing barriers and helping underrepresented groups to attain their goals.” SAGE Chair and WA gender equity advocate Libby Lyons congratulated the university on the milestone. “It’s fabulous to see Edith Cowan University leading the way towards gender equity in WA,” she said. “These five Cygnet Awards recognise the strength of commitment and energy that ECU’s leadership has shown throughout their journey with SAGE. “I have no doubt they will continue to pursue a very high standard of workplace equity, diversity and inclusion, and an environment where everyone can thrive.” ECU was recognised for initiatives to progress flexible working arrangements, redress inadequate support systems inhibiting the promotion of women in STEM, decrease gender disparity in the school of engineering, recruit women info professional research roles and address diversity in the school of nursing and midwifery. Professor Rudd said the trial and error approach to their success continuously evolves. “We’re learning more about what does and doesn’t work each day; what we have done to date will guide what we do going forward.”