Aussie uni establishes maternity funding for women researchers

Women academics returning from maternity leave at the University of New South Wales will be eligible for a $10,000 grant to help re-establish their careers.

The initiative, which is believed to be the most comprehensive of any university in Australia, is available to all women in full-time and part-time academic positions who return from maternity leave after June 1, 2003.

The funds will be placed in a university account in the name of the academic, and can be spent on any legitimate University purpose, including: research assistance; purchase of equipment; consumables for research; conferences or courses related to teaching or research; and employment of casual teachers in order to reduce teaching loads for a period.

UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor John Ingleson (International and Education) said the initiative was part of a wider strategy on the part of the University to help more women reach senior postings.

"The findings of a review conducted into gender equity at UNSW show that women and men are unequally distributed through the academic hierarchy," Professor Ingleson said. "This new fund is a 'first step' towards correcting that imbalance."

The University is implementing a range of initiatives to support family friendly working arrangements, both inside and outside the enterprise bargaining process. A policy on paid maternity leave for casual staff was developed in 2001 and other initiatives have included pre-natal leave. The new enterprise agreements for both general and academic staff will further support the University's commitment in this area.

UNSW has also budgeted $1 million over the next two years for new childcare places.

Item provided courtesy of UNSW