About

Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

COEMinerals is committed to creating a positive, inclusive, fair and equitable working environment for all members. We have a flexible workplace and ​‘family-friendly’ culture which supports our values and where:

  • The leadership team leads by example and encompasses Equity and Diversity
  • We collectively create a safe environment, free from harassment, bullying and bias 
  • All opinions are heard without prejudice or retribution and Centre employees feel respected, valued and included
  • We encourage work-life balance and a family friendly atmosphere
  • We support and include everyone
  • We implement education programs fuelled by member feedback, and supporting the Centre’s GEDI priorities

    The Centre’s GEDI Committee, lead by Dr Ellen Moon, Centre Chief Investigator (Deakin) comprises 9 members, and represents the diversity of cultures, ages, roles and genders within our Centre. This Centre sub-committee strives to ensure Centre culture and values are embedded within Centre operations and culture through policy, training programs and other activities. Its priorities — guided by a member input — are tied to four key areas: 

    • Fairness & Respect
    • Valued & Belonging
    • Safe & Open
    • Empowered

    The Centre’s GEDI activities are gaining momentum in line with the Centre’s strategic plan. Current action areas include:

    • Team training on language, equity & biases
    • Establishing a mechanism for sharing & celebrating non-work achievements
    • Developing training, policies and support around bullying and harassment

    COEMinerals is contributing to the ​‘changing of the guard’ in the minerals and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sector. As at December 2022 37% of our research team identified as female. We’re actively striving for (at least) 50% female researchers in coming years (comprising Chief Investigators, Associate Investigators, Research Associates and PhDs).

    Diversity remains a challenge* in STEM and the mining sectors in Australia:

    • women make up around 36% of STEM course enrolments
    • around 11% of Engineering sector employees are women
    • around 20% of Mining sector employers are female.




    Key sources:

    1. https://​www​.indus​try​.gov​.au/​p​u​b​l​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​s​/​s​t​e​m​-​e​q​u​i​t​y​-​m​o​nitor

    2. https://​www​.engi​neer​saus​tralia​.org​.au/​s​i​t​e​s​/​d​e​f​a​u​l​t​/​f​i​l​e​s​/​w​o​m​e​n​-​i​n​-​e​n​g​i​n​e​e​r​i​n​g​-​r​e​p​o​r​t​-​j​u​n​e​-​2​0​2​2.pdf

    3. https://​www​.wgea​.gov​.au/​s​i​t​e​s​/​d​e​f​a​u​l​t​/​f​i​l​e​s​/​d​o​c​u​m​e​n​t​s​/​W​G​E​A​-​G​e​n​d​e​r​-​E​q​u​a​l​i​t​y​-​S​c​o​r​e​c​a​r​d​-​2​0​2​2.pdf