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UNSW Canberra

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community.

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ADFA Canberra UNSW

A commitment to diversity and inclusion

UNSW Canberra is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, staff and visitors. We celebrate our diversity, leverage our individual differences and experiences, and value the cultural richness of our communities. As we celebrate and promote the diversity of our organisation, we know that it’s our greatest strength. We’re all responsible for creating a safe, supportive, enjoyable and productive culture in which all our students, staff and visitors can thrive.

From the Vice-Chancellor down, diversity and inclusion are considered essential to UNSW’s continued success. UNSW values diversity of thought and experience. We believe in an inclusive and collaborative culture that underpins research and teaching excellence. UNSW aspires for our workforce and student population to reflect the demographics of our society.Ìý

Introducing the new UNSW Canberra Community Circle

One example of nurturing and celebrating the cultural richness, diversity and inclusiveness of our campus is the UNSW Canberra Community Circle – a space that offers students and staff the opportunity to come together, share, and connect with one another whilst educating themselves on a fundamental practice that has been observed by the Indigenous Peoples of Australia for over 60,000 years.
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Find out what else our university is doing to create a more inclusive campus

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit (EDI)

The EDI Unit is located at UNSW Canberra’s campus in Building 13 (opposite the Creative Media Unit). Staff and students are welcome to seek confidential advice and support, and to discuss options for resolution of concerns about Equity matters, including:

  • advice and referral on equity, diversity, inclusion, flexible work and wellbeingÌý
  • advice and assistance with obtaining workplace adjustments or additional educational support for staff and students with disability, mental health and other medical conditions
  • equity and diversity initiatives, projects, events and activities for staff and students
  • UNSW Canberra’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Equity PlanÌý
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion training and resources.

Key initiatives

We’re striving to create an inclusive campus for all students, staff and visitors at UNSW Canberra through a variety of initiatives, facilities and resources. Some examples include:

The ALLY@UNSW Network aims to ensure UNSW is a safe, welcoming place for all students and staff who identify as LGBTIQ+. If you’d like to find out more about the Network or you’d like to become an Ally, please contact the Manager, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.

Our Allies will be happy to hear from you. Look for the rainbow Ally@UNSW logo on their office door and in their email signature.

Email Ally office

Employees and students with disabilities, medical conditions, mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries or who are primary caregivers of someone with such conditions are encouraged to contact the Manager, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, for confidential advice, guidance, and referrals.

We can also assist with the implementation of workplace adjustments for staff and liaison with and faculty staff, for students.Ìý

ELS provides educational adjustments for students with a disability or ongoing medical/mental health conditions, or who are the carer of a person with a disability.

UNSW Canberra is an accredited breastfeeding-friendlyÌýworkplace. The Parents’ Room is located on the top floor of the Academy Library and is available for students and staff during opening hours.

The Parents’ Room offers a space for all students, staff babies and children. The room is available for the use of breastfeeding, expressing of milk, bottle feeding and short-term (1 hour) supervision of children.

The room has blinds for privacy and is equipped with a comfortable chair for breastfeeding, a fridge, toys, books and a desk for work or study. Hand-washing facilities are available in the Library’s staff administration area on Level 1 during regular working hours. Please speak to a library staff member for access. Baby change facilities are available within the Level 2 accessible washroom facilities.

Students and staff must book the Parents’ Room before using it. To do this, simply make an appointment in your calendar for the time you require the space and type in ‘parents room’ in the location tab, then select ‘CAN EDI B13 Parents Room (Library)’. The appointment will save to your calendar. Please add your name as the title of the meeting.

While the room is located in the Library, it’s a service managed by the Equity & Diversity Unit. Contact the EDI Unit within working hours for advice and support, or to provide feedback on the Parents’ Room.

The Multifaith Prayer Room is available at UNSW Canberra in Room 101 on the lower floor of Building 21. It contains a designated prayer space and separate areas for men and women. The spaces have capacity for about 40 men and 20 women. Ablution facilities are located next to the room.

We aim to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTIQ+ students, staff and visitors. At UNSW Canberra, we support and celebrate our LGBTIQ+ community through a variety of initiatives, including:

  • the Ally@UNSW Network
  • LGBTIQ+ Champion
  • events
  • training for staff and students
  • gender affirmation guidelines for staff and students.Ìý

For further information and to get involved, please emailÌýEquityUnit@adfa.edu.au

UNSW Canberra supports a range of cultural diversity initiatives and policies, developed under the wider UNSW banner and include events that celebrate UNSW’s culturally and linguistically diverse community:

  • ‘Everyone Belongs’ videos, which shine a light on the lives and experiences of our culturally and/or linguistically diverse students and staff
  • acknowledgement and term planning considering the multi-faith calendar.
  • Anti-racism Policy
  • Harmony Week, Diwali and Eid ul-Fitr

For further information and to get involved, please emailÌýEquityUnit@adfa.edu.au

Arc and UNSW have partnered in an initiative called 'Be A Better Human' to help strengthen a respectful and inclusive culture. Together, we want to encourage everyone to do more when it comes to understanding, preventing and responding to disrespectful behaviours.

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll talk openly and honestly about key issues such as racism, discrimination, misconduct, bullying and harassment. This may include someone who has been affected, that person's friend and a bystander.

Join in the conversation and let's figure out how we can be better humans.

At UNSW Canberra, we’re committed to inspiring more women to pursue STEM education and careers. The Women@UNSW CBR program supports the academic career of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students at UNSW Canberra.Ìý

The program is open to HDR female students, at any stage of their study, from the School of Science or the School of Engineering & Information Technology (SEIT).

For further information and to get involved, please emailÌýEquityUnit@adfa.edu.au

On (Wednesday 26 May), we remember the whose lives were devastated by past government policies to remove Indigenous children from their families and communities.

This day acknowledges and signals deep regret at the impacts these past policies had, and continue to have, on Indigenous Australian communities today.

A shares our sorrow for the pain and trauma caused to all those stolen Indigenous Australian children, their families and communities. We invite the UNSW community to join in sending a message of support.

Please visit and sign the .

For further information and to get involved, please emailÌýEquityUnit@adfa.edu.au