ANU IDEA Governance Framework

The Australian National University (ANU) established the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Governance Framework in 2019 to unify work underway across the University in support of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access principles, and to drive change, culture, policy, and practice improvements across colleges and portfolios.  

Following a review conducted between 2021 and 2022, the Framework has been refreshed to better assist the University to realise Pillar 4 of the ANU Strategic Plan 2021-2025 by advising and leading on the development of appropriate strategies, policies and practices.

The IDEA Governance Framework provides executive oversight of IDEA-related strategies and initiatives across the University, working under the direction of the ANU Strategic Leadership Group (SLG).  

The purpose of the IDEA Governance Framework is to discuss, enable, and facilitate strategies and policy options for consideration by appropriate decision-making forums. It does this through the IDEA Governance Committee detailed below. The Framework also uses multi-faceted mechanisms to engage with the University community and subject-matter experts. 

The scope of the Framework is to advise on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility matters pertaining to groups which are historically marginalised and/or face structural discrimination that can be addressed from the University's position. This includes, but is not limited to, consideration of matters and areas of strategic impact to the university, such as those pertaining to:

• social inclusion,
• wellbeing,
• mental health,  
• Indigenous and First Nations people,  
• people with diverse sexualities and genders, or those who are marked by discrimination as a result of their gender or sexuality,  
• people with disability,  
• culturally and linguistically diverse people,  
• people of colour,  
• people with parental and caring responsibilities,   
• people from typically disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds,  
• people marked by age-based discrimination,  
• any other group which is historically marginalised or faces structural discrimination that can be addressed from the University's position, and  
• others as identified by the Strategic Leadership Group. 

The IDEA Governance Committee

The IDEA Governance Committee (IGC) is responsible for providing executive direction to IDEA-related strategies and initiatives across the University. 

The IGC: 

• Oversees the development of, and reporting against, relevant strategies, as delegated and approved by SLG. 
• Considers and addresses any matters referred to it by SLG, local areas, and the ANU community, that fall within its scope.  
• Establishes, monitors progress, and evaluates outcomes of initiatives led by the Framework, reporting to SLG at least twice a year.   
• Provides an available avenue for consultation and advice on the implications of IDEA-related policies, programs, and services.  
• Facilitates information flow across the University and between levels to coordinate action on IDEA-related matters.   
• Monitors issues nationally and locally, identifying gaps and opportunities for the University and make recommendations to relevant committees or organisational units as appropriate. 

Secretariat to the IGC is provided by the Inclusive Communities team.

Feedback and Suggestions

All students and staff are welcome to provide feedback and suggestions for the IDEA Governance Committee. Please contact belonging@anu.edu.au.