Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic has welcomed the release for further consultation of draft recommendations to help improve diversity and inclusion in STEM-related careers.

The draft recommendations were produced by the independent Diversity in STEM Review Panel following a nation-wide engagement campaign to identify ways to address systemic and structural barriers limiting STEM participation.

The panel held hundreds of discussions with people and communities across the country and is now seeking further feedback on their recommendations to help increase participation of historically underrepresented groups of people in STEM. 

The panel will consider all feedback to develop the final report to government and is keen to receive examples of successful initiatives and evidence or data on effective approaches to improve diversity and inclusion.

The Diversity in STEM Review Panel’s draft recommendations can be found here: https://consult.industry.gov.au/diversityinstem2

To accompany the draft recommendations, the panel is also releasing an evaluation of existing Women in STEM programs in the Industry and Science portfolio, available here: https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/women-stem-initiatives-evaluation-report

The consultation closes on 8 September, and the panel will deliver its final report to Government later this year.

Quotes attributable to the Hon Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science:

“We know there is a huge amount of work to be done to boost diversity in the STEM fields. But that’s why we appointed this expert independent panel. We want them to tell us the uncomfortable truths and suggest possible ways to address this issue.

“I welcome their draft recommendations and thank the panel for their hard work to date.

“It’s pleasing to see that hundreds of Australians have already contributed to the review, but there is still time to take a look and have your say.

“There is great capacity for economic growth in the STEM sector, and the panel’s report will feature potential opportunities for reform to help ensure a diverse and inclusive range of people enter STEM careers.”

Quotes attributable to members of the independent Diversity in STEM Review Panel: 

Sally-Ann Williams, Chair of the Independent Panel and CEO of Cicada Innovations:

“The only way to achieve our ambitious goals in STEM is to have a truly inclusive STEM ecosystem. 

“We must have a collaborative approach where government, industry and community work together to drive both systemic and structural change alongside programs that support and reinforce that change. 

“If the decades of work in diversity and inclusion have taught us anything, it is that programs alone are not enough.”