Diversity and inclusion

Message from the Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion

A/Prof Renata Borovica-Gajic headshot
A/Prof Renata Borovica-Gajic

Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology's Diversity and Inclusion website!

At the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, we are committed to embracing, fostering, and celebrating the diversity of our staff and students.  Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just a statement; it is a guiding principle woven into the very fabric of our culture. We believe that diversity is not only about differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, or background, but also about the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that each individual brings to the table. It is through the celebration and respect of these differences that we foster innovation, creativity, and growth. We strive to cultivate a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where their voices are heard, and where they have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

On this page, you will find resources, initiatives, and stories that reflect our ongoing journey towards building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.

A/Prof Renata Borovica-Gajic
Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion

Fostering a dynamic, diverse and inclusive community

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology is committed working with our diverse groups, partners and networks to achieve the Faculty’s equity, diversity and inclusion priorities and objectives.

Initiatives and programs

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology delivers a number of initiatives that support diverse participation in STEM education and careers. These programs aim to help us achieve our ambition of providing a diverse and inclusive environment that supports the aspirations of current and future students and staff.

Resources and support

There are a range of resources, groups, and services, both within the University and with external organisations, that may assist underrepresented and marginalised communities and their allies.

  • University Resources

    • Murrup Barak:  Supports Indigenous students at the University through a range of academic and employment services and events.
    • Indigenous Knowledge Institute: Interdisciplinary research institute aiming to advance research and education in Indigenous knowledge systems.
    • Research Unit for Indigenous Languages: Works with Indigenous communities across Australia and the region to expand and strengthen Indigenous language research, and to support efforts by communities to maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage.
    • The Australian Centre: Runs the Critical Public Conversations Series and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Program in Indigenous Settler Relations.
    • Faculty of Arts Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellowship: A four-year fellowship awarded to an Indigenous Australian researcher who has recently completed or close to completing a PhD.
    • Indigenous Bursaries: Several bursaries for Indigenous students are offered by the University.

    External Resources

    • Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation: Provides a range of services including consultations, awareness training, research, cultural practices for events,  and natural resource management.
    • Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association: State-wide agency providing advice to government on a range of community development issues, and provider of extensive services to the Aboriginal community.
    • First Peoples - State Relations Victoria: Group within the Department of Premier and Cabinet responsible for nation-leading work in  the ares of cultural rights, self-determination, treaty and truth.
    • Yoorrook Justice Commission: Investigates historical and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Victoria since colonisation. It will establish an official record of the impact of colonisation on First Peoples in Victoria, and make recommendations for practical actions and reform.
    • First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria: The independent and democratically elected body to represent Traditional Owners of Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria.
    • The Uluru Statement: Calls for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling between governments and First Nations peoples.
  • University Resources

    External Resources

    • Racism. It stops with me: National campaign providing tools and resources  to help people and organisations learn about racism and stand against it by  acting for positive change.
    • Diversity Council Australia: Provides information, leading practices, case studies, readings, and additional resources on cultural diversity.
    • Victorian Multicultural Commission: Provides support and advocacy for culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians.
  • University Resources

    External Resources

    • People with Disability Australia: National disability rights, advocacy and representative organisation made up of, led and governed by people with disability.
    • Scope Australia: Disability service provider offering a range of services from therapy to accommodation support, communication support, and research.
    • Australian Network on Disability: National not-for-profit that helps organisations engage with people with disability.
  • University Resources

    • UMSU Women's Department: Advocates for and supports women and non-binary students on campus.
    • Strong Women: Promotes the inclusion of women at Melbourne University Sport across all levels of participation.
    • Athena Swan Program: An accreditation process that explores the state of gender equity at the University, followed by the development and delivery of a 4-year action plan to address opportunities and challenges. The University received the Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2020.

    External Resources

  • University Resources

    • Pride in Action Ally Network: Aims to bring together LGBTQIA+ identifying staff and students, along with their allies, to share information and foster an inclusive workplace and learning environment.
    • Queering the Curriculum Resource:  An evolving resource providing relevant theoretical and practical resources to aid staff in their practice of teaching with respect for gender and sexuality.
    • UMSU Queer Department: Advocates for and supports queer communities on campus.
    • Pride in Sport: Aims to provide a safe place for LGBTQIA+ identifying people to participate in sport.

    External Resources

    • Rainbow Door: Free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family (Runs 10am-5pm, 7 days p/week. Phone: 1800 729 367).
    • QLife: National service providing anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia (Runs 3pm-midnight, 7 days p/week. Phone: 1800 184 527).
    • Black Rainbow: National Indigenous owned and operated organisation supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTI+SB people.
    • Transgender Victoria: Victoria's leading body for trans and gender diverse people, working to achieve justice, equity and inclusion.
  • University support services

    • Safer Community Program: Provides support and advice to members of the University community about inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour.
    • Counselling & Psychological Services (CAPS): Provides free, confidential, short-term professional counselling to students and staff, as well as a range of workshops, mental health training, and helpful resources.
    • Parental resources list:  Resources for staff who are prospective, expectant, and new parents, compiled by the Faculty of Business and Economics.
    • Student Equity & Disability Support: Provides supports for students who need ongoing assistance with their studies.
    • Financial Aid: Provides information and advice about budgeting, managing debt and Centrelink payments, and can help students access assistance during times of financial hardship.
    • UMSU Advocacy: Free and confidential advocacy service for graduate, undergraduate, domestic, and international students.
    • International Graduate Student Wellbeing Group: Supports graduate international students to look after their health and wellbeing.
    • External support services: Lists recommended external support services for mental health emergencies,  including suicide and crisis support.
  • Books have the power to transport people to a different world to see and experience things from other perspectives. The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Diversity and Inclusion Street Library project aims to improve literacy around diversity and inclusion in our local FEIT community by encouraging the free and anonymous exchange of non-fiction and fiction books. Freely available and easily accessible to all FEIT staff and students interested in reading more about diversity and inclusion, the Street Library will expand their knowledge of people and experiences different from themselves.

    This initiative is supported by the FEIT Diversity and Inclusion Small Grants Program (2023).

    Find out more: Diversity and Inclusion Street Library

  • Throughout the year, people the world over come together to recognise, commemorate and celebrate national and international events and festivals of special importance to their countries and cultures.

    Explore events and celebrations: Diversity Calendar

  • Explore resources to support inclusive interactions:

Report an incident or issue

For students

  • Student complaints and grievances: Processes and procedures required to raise or escalate a student complaint or grievance, including the reporting of sexual misconduct.
  • Raise a concern or issue: How to raise a concern or issue, and the processes, policies and services available at the University to help you seek a resolution.

For staff

  • Anonymous reporting: Provide information anonymously about inappropriate behaviour experienced or witnessed whilst at the University.
  • Inappropriate workplace behaviour line: Confidential reporting service providing a channel for employees and students to report inappropriate employee behaviour: unlawful discrimination; sexual harassment; harassment; sexual assault; bullying; stalking; victimisation, or vilification (Phone: 1800 685 463).

Diversity and inclusion committee members

The purpose of the FEIT Diversity and Inclusion (FEIT D&I) Committee is to provide the D&I program of work with direction and oversight to guide the achievement of the D&I across FEIT, whilst ensuring that all activities, strategies, policies and programs are aligned to the overarching UoM and FEIT strategy. The committee will also provide a formal means of ensuring FEIT leadership have sufficient oversight and a level of comfort in the work being undertaken.

Current members include:

  • Chair: A/Prof Renata Borovica-Gajic - ARC Decra Fellow, Senior Lecturer in Data Analytics, Computing and Information Systems
  • Dr Eduardo Oliveira - Assistant Dean, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Dr Tingru Cu - Senior Lecturer in Information Systems, Computing and Information Systems
  • Dr Negin Yousefpour - Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering
  • Dr Claudia Sanberg - Senior Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering
  • Dr Ye Pu - ARC Decra Fellow, Senior Lecturer, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Dr Catherine Sutton - Teaching Coordinator and Subject Developer, Chemical Engineering
  • Dr Katie Davey - Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Engineering
  • Dr Farhana Choudhury - Lecturer, Computing and Information Systems
  • Sonali Dias - HR Business Partner, FEIT
  • Michelle Bellino - Head of Student Experience, FEIT
  • Tharindu Perera - Research Officer, FEIT
  • Claire Whiteley - Communications Coordinator, FEIT
  • Georgie Anning - HWS, FEIT
  • Dr Shannon Rios - Senior Lecturer, Engineering & Computing
  • Prudence Midgley - Engagement Manager, FEIT
  • Ashley Anderson - Senior Learning Designer, Student and Scholarly Services
  • Prof Sally Male - Teaching and Learning Lab (TLL), Director
  • A/Prof Shiaohuey Chow - Associate Professor, Geotechnical Engineering
  • Libby Maunder - Graduate Research Manager, FEIT

For enquires regarding this committee, please contact: renata.borovica@unimelb.edu.au

News and media

Contact

For more information about diversity and inclusion at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, please e-mail the Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion.

A/Prof Renata Borovica-Gajic
Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion
renata.borovica@unimelb.edu.au