The ARC welcomes the announcement by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) regarding the new measures it will introduce to address gender disparities in NHMRC funding schemes. The ARC was pleased to participate in the consultations undertaken by NHMRC to develop this new initiative.
Over the past decade, the ARC has taken many practical steps to improve outcomes for women researchers in ARC funded grants schemes. Across our many schemes, women’s success rates are consistently comparable to those of men.
These measures, which have encouraged participation and supported strong levels of success in grants applications rounds, include:
- The introduction of the Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) assessment criterion which recognises excellence in the context of diverse career and life experiences.
- The introduction of the prestigious Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowships, awarded annually to women and include additional funding to undertake an ambassadorial role to promote women in research and mentor early career researchers.
- The provision of training for peer assessor about ways to identify and manage potential bias in evaluating research proposals,
- Steps to ensure that there is an appropriate discipline and gender mix in the composition of ARC’s highly regarded College of Experts, with the current College comprising 52% women.
The ARC’s Strategy 2022-25 renews this commitment across all ARC activities. The ARC is committed to continuing to work collaboratively with stakeholders in the Australian research sector support diversity, including advancing gender equality.
