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The UNSW School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) provides a safe, supportive and welcoming environments for all staff and students regardless of their race, culture, age, religion, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or gender identification.Ìý

Our school strongly supports UNSW’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy and initiatives and work closely with and align our goals with those of the Faculty of Science Equity Diversity & Inclusion Working Group (SEDIWG). SEDIWG is committed to reducing barriers that impede EDI via initiatives that benefit staff and students. This group provides strategic direction and leadership in line with . The overall goal of the strategy is to support equitable education and an equitable workplace for all staff and students of UNSW. Learn more about EDI initiatives at the faculty level. 

Schools of BABS & BEES EDI Committee  

The Schools of BABS and BEES have a combined EDI Committee that is co-chaired by:Ìý

Dr Frances Byrne  (BABS) who serves as the School of BABS representative on the Faculty of Science EDI Working Group.

(BEES) who serves as School of BEES representative on the Faculty of Science EDI Working Group.

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Our vision

Our committee aspires to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment where the diverse voices of our students and staff can openly discuss ideas and issues related to EDI such as neurodiversity, support for students from low SES backgrounds, disability, gender equity, gendered violence, LGBTQIA+, and mental wellbeing.

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What we do

We work with students and staff to co-develop and implement EDI initiatives and address EDI-related issues with the goal of creating a workplace, culture and environment that is safe and inclusive for all. We also serve as a conduit of information between our committee and the Faculty of Science EDI working group.

Examples of our roles and initiatives include:

• Raising EDI-issues from students and academics to the Faculty of Science EDI working group
• Hosting morning teas to engage with staff and students and raise awareness of EDI issues and campaignsÌýÌý
• Invite speakers to School seminar series to discuss relevant topics (e.g., research with First Nations peoples) and to increase representation of diverse voices
• Working with students to support their education and learning experience at UNSW e.g., improving course accessibilityÌý

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Members of our committee

• Dr Frances ByrneÌý(BABS) – ChairÌý
• Ìý(BEES) – Chair
• Associate ProfessorÌýTatyana Chtanova (BABS) - interim Chair
• Dr Malgorzata Nakagawa-LagiszÌý(BEES)
• Hayley McManus (BABS/BEES)
• Dr Selene Fernandez ValverdeÌý(BABS)
• Aaron Saint-JamesÌý(BABS – undergraduate)
• Alexandra Young (BABS – HDR)
• Dr Gee Chong LingÌý(BABS)
• Dr Sarah Bajan (BABS)
• Dr Michelle AllenÌý(BEES, Women in Research Network representative)
• Katie Erickson (BEES)

Join us

We welcome members from all disciplinary and professional backgrounds

We encourage contributions from students and early career researchersÌý

We share ideas in a supportive and respectful environment

Everyone from the Schools of BABS and BEES are welcome to join our Committee or attend our meetings (in person or online)! Please send an email to:Ìýbabs@unsw.edu.auÌýÌý