Tracie Conroy: Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion

About my work

Tracie Conroy: Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion

I remember being a visitor to the South Australian Equal Opportunity Commission in the late 1990’s and I just wanted to sniff the air – I was surrounded by everything that meant something to me and I wanted to drink it in.  Now I am privileged to be the Director of Equity Diversity & Inclusion at UTS – and I’m still thirsty!  

I’ve dedicated my career to aiming for a discrimination-free society – whether it be working in domestic violence outreach services, teaching Women’s Studies in TAFE or delivering training sessions about preventing sexual harassment I’ve been motivated by knowing that step by step, day be day we are all making a difference.  

At UTS we are fortunate to have had successive Vice Chancellors who are committed to social justice.  It makes my job easier in knowing that I have support ‘from the top’ and that UTS does strive to always do better.  Programs like Athena Swan, the Access & Inclusion Plan and Respect.Now.Always are examples of how we are chip chipping away at inequality and aiming for a society where everyone is respected.  It’s not that much to ask!

A memorable win

The Athena SWAN program is a fabulous example of current success. I’ve never had this point of leverage before in this space, in the sense of being able to refer to a program that the whole of university is committed to.  While it’s primarily focused on STEM faculties, the positive fall-out is that it has positive impacts on the University at large.  When things are happening in broader society, you’ve got to grab your board, get on that wave, and ride it because if you miss it, you’ve missed an opportunity and Athena SWAN is a fabulous wave to be riding.

Bio: I am a Diversity, Inclusion and social justice specialist and influencer. My expertise is extensive in having developed student outreach programs; gender equity programs; disability action plans; Indigenous employment programs; LGBTQI awareness and support programs; anti-racism and cultural diversity projects. I am an adept public speaker and have conducted training and development programs for broad audiences. I firmly believe in the capacity of equity, diversity and inclusion programs to create cultural change, not only for an organisation but more broadly for the Australian community. I strongly believe in access to education for all groups within society.

Websites

LinkedIn profile: https://au.linkedin.com/in/tracie-conroy-2804605b

Achieving Gender Equity: 

Gender equity is a multi-layered issue with multi-layered catalysts and causes as to why our society is still at a point where people who identify as women are still not operating at an equal level.  So to take just one approach to try to improve outcomes has never really been my strategy.  

 We need to find that balance between challenging systems that aren’t working and giving women the opportunity to put more tools in their kit-bag to facilitate that success, but at the same time acknowledging that sometimes we’re not all starting from an equal point, and also recognising that not all women are the same.

What does success look like?

If we’re talking about success into the future, it is to build on our current successes of UTS taking an authentic approach to gender equity but being brave and courageous enough to reflect and say as an organisation, ‘We’re not really reflecting the society in which we live’. I think our success is about being able to sit down and start having those open and honest conversations about how we might better reflect the Australian society in 2022.  

Rather than what we have now, it’s about what could we have? Always to be looking forward because we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We’re a very dynamic organisation so we need to remain dynamic in this space and we still have some gaps to fill in an authentic way.

So what should we do now?

If you see something you don’t like, say something about it.  It’s not just linked to harassment or assault.  It’s linked to all areas that affect women and their progress in society. Be bold, break the silence. – Tracie Conroy,  Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.