Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The Vacuum Society of Australia (VSA) recognises and values the wealth of talent, creativity and discoveries achieved by all members in the field of vacuum science. The VSA will strive to achieve equality, diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of the Congress. The Organising Committee acknowledges that the following members of the vacuum science community are underrepresented in the field:

  • Women
  • Individuals at a junior-level
  • Individuals with a physical and or mental impairment
  • Indigenous people
  • Individuals from emerging nations

VVC-21 seeks to be a Congress that is committed to equality in gender, age, abilities, ethnicity, and socioeconomic state. We will seek to achieve this through the following strategies:

Before the Congress
  • Appointing an Equality Champion on the Organising Committee
  • Actively seeking promote female thought leaders in vacuum as keynote speakers, session chairs and Scientific Committee based on merit
  • Implementing guidelines for the abstract review process to ensure the inclusion of diverse presenters from the contributing papers based on merit
During the Congress
  • Providing a platform for emerging leaders of vacuum science by increasing student engagement and support for junior-level attendees through program inclusions such as a youth forum/workshops, and an opportunity for students of all backgrounds to meet with leaders in the field
  • Ensuring easily accessible and inclusive information on program and networking opportunities to all members of our community so that all delegates are aware of every aspect of the Congress that they may participate in so that they can experience the full benefit of the Congress
  • Considering the effects of the Congress schedule on parents with young families, new mothers and carers
  • Providing a briefing and or briefing notes to chairpersons, panel members, and committees to ensure that related discussions are inclusive of gender, age, abilities, ethnicity, and socioeconomic state
  • Ensuring merit-based criteria are used for any Congress awards.
After the Congress
  • Reviewing the Congress to gauge how we have performed in gender, age, abilities, ethnicity, and socioeconomic state equality and to use this information to guide development of future