UniSA Mount Gambier recently hosted a think tank facilitated by the South Australian Academy for Gender Equity in STEM (SAAGES) to allow participants to discuss their experiences in gender equity. 

Insights gained from this think tank and a second think tank being held in October will be used to tailor leadership programs that focus on creating safe workplaces for women. 

SAAGES is conducting think tanks in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla. 

The discussion identified the disparity in access to resources between regional and metropolitan communities and discussed the important impact of parental and generational role models for children. 

UniSA’s SAAGES Researcher Dr Deborah Devis said the think tanks were aimed at developing effective leadership development programs that truly embed gender equity principles.  

“The think tanks provide a way to understand what’s ‘below the surface’ of gender equity, so we can ensure that future program development is guided by real, tangible experiences people have had in STEM industries,” she said.

“Gender equity has come so far and it was encouraging to hear the participants share insight on the way workplaces have improved in the last few decades.

“The participants also highlighted a few areas that still require work, such as better support for mothers on maternity leave and parents of infants, which we hope to include in our leadership development programs. 

“Talking to these passionate people in Mount Gambier was such a joy because it was so clear that this sense of community is a big part of making great workplaces.”

UniSA Regional Manager Ian McKay was pleased that a think tank was held at the Mount Gambier campus. 

“It is very pleasing that this research is including the perspective of people in our local Mount Gambier community in addition to metropolitan Adelaide,” he said. 

A second Gender Equity think tank will be held at UniSA Mount Gambier Campus on Thursday. Any community member who is interested in participating should contact the Mount Gambier Campus on 8302 8900 to register their interest.