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Employment Equity & Diversity

Equity Fellowship Guidelines

Introduction

Equity Fellowships have been established to assist staff facing difficulties in completing their PhD program because of equity issues. They are targeted in the main at academic women and Indigenous Australians. Improved workforce representation and distribution of academic women and Indigenous Australians has been identified as an equity priority for a number of years. The establishment of these fellowships is one of the strategies to address the current under representation of these two equity groups particularly at senior levels. While the majority of the fellowships are targeted, a number of fellowships will be available each year for men who have experienced career disadvantage for equity reasons, in particular where they have experienced responsibilities associated with being the primary carer.

The University recognises the difficulties that staff undertaking a PhD face in balancing work, research and other aspects of life. The fellowship aims to assist staff working in an academic capacity, by providing the opportunity to attain qualifications that will assist with career progression.

Seven fellowships of up to $12,000 may be awarded to staff each year to be used for costs associated with the completion of a PhD program. Applications will also be accepted from Indigenous Australians seeking to complete a Masters program. Funding will normally be for a six month period.

Funding

The UOW Equity Fellowships are funded by the Vice-Chancellor and administered by the Employment Equity & Diversity Unit and Professional & Organisational Development Services(PODS). Funding has been available since 2005 with good results being achieved by the recipients. Continued funding is dependent on the outcomes achieved by academic staff in the program.

Funds may be used to cover one or more of the following relevant expenses for one semester:-

• Release from teaching & other duties (funding to faculty based account)
• Research assistance (funding to faculty based account)
• Child care (funding provided on provision of original documentation. A Fringe Benefit tax will apply to child care provided off campus)

Eligibility Criteria

1. Applicants must be academic staff members who have been employed by UOW for two years on a continuing basis or have a contract of at least two years duration. Academics employed in fractional positions will be eligible for pro-rata funding.
2. Preference will be given to women and Indigenous Australians as well as applicants who can demonstrate that their career has been substantially affected by one or more equity issues. Issues may include:
   • Carers’ responsibilities
   • Disability
   • Refugee status
   • Sustained insecure employment in sector (numerous contracts)
   • Entry into academia from a career in industry
3. Consideration will also be given to Indigenous Australians seeking to complete a Masters program. Indigenous Australians, who have previously received funding to complete a Masters program, are eligible to apply for further funding to complete their PhD.
4. Preference will be given to those who will be able to bring their dissertation to submission for examination within 6 months of the end of the fellowship.
5. Staff members who have been full-time PhD candidates supported by a scholarship for a significant part of their candidature will not normally be considered.
6. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be considered by an Assessment Committee comprising the Director of Employment Equity & Diversity Unit, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (or Nominee) and a Dean nominated by the Vice-Chancellor.

Assessment will be based on:

1. the eligibility criteria
2. the significance of the fellowship to the applicant’s career progression
3. the nature and impact of disadvantage
4. evidence that the objectives outlined will be achieved

Application Procedures

Applications should be made on the Application Form. 

Please do not exceed page limits.

Each application should consist of two parts

1. A statement (1-2 pages) by the applicant about their study program including:
   
   • stage of work (what sections of research and writing have been completed, what is in draft or final form)
   • the work that remains to be done
   • how the fellowship funding will be used with a detailed timetable including a final submission date if fellowship application is successful
   
   
2. A statement by the applicant about equity issues impacting on their career including an employment history and career breaks (1 page).

The Assessment Committee will also receive:

1. A statement of support by the principal supervisor including viability of proposed timetable
2. A statement of support by the Head of Unit, including support for the identified use of the fellowship funding
3. A commentary on the application and probability of success from the relevant Dean for faculty staff or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for staff from Student Services or Woolyungah Indigenous Centre. The relevant Dean/Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic) will be asked to rank applicants if more than one application is received from their area.

Timetable

Applications will be called for through the Professional & Organisational Development Services early in September. Applications will close at the end of September each year. Candidates will be notified of the outcome in November of the same year.

Conditions of Fellowships

A short report (1-2 pages) must be provided to the Director of EED within four weeks of the end of the fellowship period.

Performance Measures for the Equity Fellowship Strategy

An annual report will be provided to the Employment Equity & Diversity Committee on progress achieved and completions of PhD programs by fellowship recipients.

Enquiries 

Enquiries should be addressed to Ms Judy Wallis, Committee Secretary, EED Unit by email judy@uow.edu.au or on extension 3917.