At Victoria University we believe diversity is a strength – the more diverse perspectives, identities, cultural backgrounds, ages and experience of our staff and students, the better our working environment, research and educational experience of our students.
We strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students and staff are respected, valued and enabled to thrive.
Our commitment to social justice has been recognised in the THE Impact Rankings.
This reflects our commitment to equality, as part of our place-based planetary health approach.
VU strives to be a leader in inclusivity and accessibility. We guide and support students to achieve their career aspirations through personalised, flexible and well-supported learning opportunities.
Our fourth accessibility action plan outlines our commitment to removing barriers to access and participation for students with a health condition or disability. It focusses on five action areas:
Read VU's Accessibility Action Plan 2016 – 2020.
We value and support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and gender diverse community. The University's LGBTIQA+ & Gender Diverse Strategy 2020- 2023 outlines our ongoing commitment to inclusion for the LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse community.
The Pride & Ally network is comprised of staff who identify as part of, or are allies for, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and gender diverse community.
Price & Ally members developed an LGBTIQA+ and Gender Diverse Action Plan for the University and meet regularly to develop actions and increase the visibility of the community.
Executive Director, Engagement & Advancement Dr Ross Coller is the Executive Sponsor of the Pride & Ally Network and is a strong advocate towards LGBTIQA+ inclusion at Victoria University.
His role as Executive Sponsor involves:
We offer online Ally training for staff and have a range of resources and information to support the LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse community.
Pride rooms and community spaces are located across VU campuses:
We support trans and gender diverse staff, students and their peers, to ensure full participation in the work and study environment, enabling access to appropriate assistance.
Gender Affirmation is a personal process where a trans or gender diverse person implements steps to live as their defined or affirmed gender identity, rather than the gender assigned to them at birth. Transition may involve social, medical/surgical and/or legal steps that affirm a person’s gender.
This process may include:
Gender Affirmation Plan for Staff (template)
Gender Affirmation Plan for Student (template)
We are a member of Pride in Diversity, the lead organisation that promotes LGBTIQA+ awareness and support in the workplace.
For further information about the Pride & Ally network, please email [email protected].
If you or someone you know are experiencing Discrimination, Harassment or Bullying you are supported at VU.
Students and staff can contact Safer Community for advice and guidance. Please visit the Safer Community page for more information
Staff can also contact our experienced Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying (DHB) Contact Officers, who are trained to help VU's staff.
Contact Safer Community, or a DHB Officer if you have been subject to or witnessed:
Safer Community and DHB Officers can provide you with information and support on:
Contact us for more information about diversity and inclusion at Victoria University.
ASKVU - Find answers and ask questions
Contact the student advisory team for advice and counselling
Email Respect and Responsibility: [email protected].
