RMIT – Australia's LGBTQ Inclusive Employers

RMIT

Profile Industry : Education & Training

Location : Victoria

SECTOR : Higher Education

INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS : Pride in Diversity

Australian Workplace Equality Index Tiers : AWEI Gold

WHO WE ARE

RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise in which teaching, research and engagement are central to achieving positive impact and creating life-changing experiences for our students.

RMIT University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the community.

MORE ABOUT US

One of Australia’s original educational institutions founded in 1887, RMIT University now has 83,000 students, including more than 12,000 at postgraduate level.

With three campuses in Melbourne (City, Brunswick and Bundoora), two in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and a centre in Barcelona, RMIT is a truly global university. We also offer a number of programs through partners in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and enjoy research and industry partnerships on every continent.

We are committed to building new teaching spaces that engage students in active learning, and to fostering innovation in curriculum design so that students graduate with appropriate skills.

RMIT has a 5-Star QS ranking for excellence in higher education and is ranked among the top 15 Australian universities in the 2015–16 QS World University Rankings. The University is a world leader in Art and Design; Architecture and the Built Environment; Engineering; Accounting and Finance; and Business and Management Studies.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

RMIT University has excellent opportunities for talented employees across academic, professional, teaching and research areas.

As a global education provider we understand that our employees underpin our reputation and enhance our contribution to the wider community.

Professor Mark McMillan, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education and Engagement)

RMIT often communicates our value of Inclusion, but more importantly, the University acts on this commitment. RMIT truly celebrates the diversity of LGBTI staff and students and this shows through the way we operate.

Our gender, gender identity and sexuality are all part of who we are. As a leader at the University, I feel it’s important to create an environment where everyone comes together to work and study.

I’m proud to work for an organisation that is constantly striving to create a safer, more inclusive space and I look forward to seeing this continue as we progress!

Julie Williams, Director – HR Shared Services

It is incredibly inspiring to see the initiatives being led by RMIT and other Australian universities to promote LGBTI inclusion. During my (many!) years in the workforce I’ve experienced the best and worst of managers dealing with diversity issues. The worst included overt discrimination, open hostility, being ridiculed in public forums and passed over for promotion (you get the idea) – which often came with no opportunity for recourse. However, how times have changed! When Australia overwhelmingly voted for marriage equality last year it was the culmination of years of struggle before finally breaking through. I am proud to work for RMIT as the University continues to support LGBTI people on their individual and collective journeys.

Gina Lambropoulos, Advisor, Enrolment Services

There’s more to workplace inclusion than just a rainbow lanyard. As an out proud lesbian and new rainbow parent, a safe and embracing workplace is fundamental to my engagement and productivity at work.

As a member of the RMIT Ally, Diverse Genders, Sexes & Sexualities (DGSS) Staff Network, and RMIT Pride Student Mentor, I’ve been thrilled to see the actions RMIT continuous to deliver in improving a culture of inclusion and diversity for all staff and students. From parental leave policy that includes rainbow families, supporting days and events of significance including Wear it Purple, IDAHOBIT and Midsumma, to establishing gender neutral toilets on campus. RMIT doesn’t treat LGBTQI+ inclusion as a simple hashtag – it’s embedded into our values and action plan. I’m proud to be both a graduate and employee.

Mohammad Taha Co-chair of the DGSS working party, Sessional Academic, PhD student

I have a started my PhD in 2015 in the school of Engineering as part of the Functional Materials and Microsystems research group (FMM). My research involves unlocking the properties of materials on the nanoscale and translation of electronics onto flexible platforms.

I have had a long history of working with inclusion as a founding member of the first club for students in engineering and science at my previous university and I brought this passion as a student representative. As the co-chair of RMIT’s Diverse Genders Sexes and Sexualities (DGSS) working party I am involved in overseeing RMIT’s inclusion plan and giving counsel on queer and equity issues and inclusive policy. Queer issues and specifically queer/trans people of colour place in the queer scene are my main interests.

To me, an inclusive workplace is a place where respect comes first and understanding later. We are all so different but we must start with respect and open up to conversations about equity and inclusion. An inclusive workplace does not always have to get it right but must always seek council to make sure we are always trying to be better. We understand that inclusion is not an end point but a starting point to do better continuously.”