Diversity and inclusion

Message from the Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts' Diversity and Inclusion website.

Headshot of Associate Professor Ikuko Nakane, Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion
Associate Professor Ikuko Nakane

The Faculty of Arts is committed to fostering a community where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully and thrive. We value and embrace the diversity of our students and staff, and believe an inclusive and diverse academic community is vital for research and teaching excellence. As your Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion, I do my best to work with and alongside you to build a collegial environment where people feel respected as members of the community, which can only strengthen our standing as an academic institution and enhance our contributions to society.

Collaborating closely with Associate Dean Indigenous is a key part of my role. The Faculty's Indigenous Strategy outlines our commitment to valuing and supporting Indigenous students and staff, and promoting Indigenous research and mutually beneficial collaborations.

On this website you will find information on Faculty Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and events, as well as available supports and resources.

Associate Professor Ikuko Nakane
Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion

Fostering a dynamic, diverse and
inclusive community

The Faculty of Arts is committed to achieving our full potential by working together to support diverse groups and have a number of networks and programs to support our equity, diversity and inclusion priorities and objectives.

News and initiatives

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.

  • Indigenous resources

    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.
  • Anti-racism and cultural and linguistic diversity

    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.
  • Disability

    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.
  • Gender equality

    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

  • LGBTQIA+

    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.
  • Support services

    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.
  • Diversity and inclusion related policies

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 students & 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

There are Diversity and Inclusion committee representatives across all Schools and Institutes in the Faculty.

Committee members:

  • Associate Professor Ikuko Nakane (Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion)
  • Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes (Deputy Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion)
  • Dr Cristobal Escobar and CQ Quinan (representatives, School of Culture and Communication)
  • Associate Professor Dana Goswick and Dr Oleg Beyda (representatives, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies)
  • Dr Claire Spivakovsky (representative, School of Social and Political Sciences)
  • Dr Sin Ji Jung (representative, Asia Institute)
  • Associate Professor Mara Favoretto, and Dr Giuseppe D'Orazzi  (representatives, School of Languages and Linguistics)
  • Professor Claire Maree (representative, Queering the Curriculum Advisory group)
  • Ms Daisy Watkins and Ms Melissa Bruorton (representatives, Professional Staff)
  • Ms Paula McAllister (HR Director)
  • Ms Hannah Price (Committee Executive Officer, Office of the Dean)

Contact

For more information about diversity and inclusion at the Faculty of Arts, please e-mail the Committee Chair.

Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion
Associate Professor Kalissa Alexeyeff (July - December 2023)
Email
arts-diversityandinclusion@unimelb.edu.au

Diversity and inclusion information for staff