Diversity and Inclusion unit

The Diversity and Inclusion unit promotes awareness about equity and diversity issues, runs programs to ensure equal access for students and staff, and nurtures the development of an organisational culture that values diversity, enables access and promotes inclusion.

Disability support services

Disability Services provides information and services for students and staff with a disability, or health/mental health condition that affects their work, study or participation in university life.

It provides teaching staff with information and support on a range of issues related to working with students with disability, including Learning Access Plans. A good starting place is 10 things staff need to know about disability services.

For more information on how you can be supported in your inclusive teaching practice go to our page Disability Resource Centre.

Discrimination and Harassment

Deakin is committed to the principles of equity and fairness in education and employment, and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation.

Gender Equity

Deakin aspires to achieve equal representation, recognition, reward and value of staff irrespective of gender, and participates in the (SAGE) Athena SWAN pilot program to improve gender equity and diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

Deakin also understands that being a researcher with responsibility for children, elders or people with disability is often challenging. The Gender Equity in Research Policy seeks to address some of the known barriers to career progression.

Inclusion initiatives and campaigns

Deakin is committed to equity and diversity to maintain the dignity, rights and wellbeing of our staff and students. We support a number of important campaigns to promote awareness about equity and diversity issues, and run programs that ensure equal access for students and staff. Campaigns include: End Violence Against Women, Racism. It Stops With Me, and Diversity—More Than We See.

LGBTIQ+ Community

Deakin acknowledges the challenges facing staff and students of diverse sexes, genders and sexualities, provides support and resources to address these challenges, and runs campaigns to promote social inclusion and a safe learning community for all.

Student access and experience

A range of programs aim to broaden access to higher education and the successful completion of courses. For example Deakin Access and Engagement Program collaborates with schools to widen participation in higher education through a coordinated program of activities from Grade 3 to Year 12, which builds on students’ aspirations and awareness to introduce university as a desirable and achievable pathway.