Testimonials
WATTLE in the words of our participants
What Vice-Chancellors think
At Swinburne University of Technology, we are proud to support the WATTLE program and its mission to encourage the participation of women in the professional and academic areas of the tertiary education sector. This program, whose founders were all from Swinburne, aligns with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we have seen first-hand the positive impact it has had on the careers and growth of women in our community. I wholeheartedly endorse WATTLE and encourage all universities to get behind this important initiative.”
Professor Pascale Quester
Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology
Since its establishment just five years ago by a group of visionary academic and professional staff from the university sector, the WATTLE program has been an invaluable source of inspiration, support and networking for many aspiring female university leaders. Using a highly interactive approach and attracting leading contributors from higher education and industry, WATTLE really tunes in to the needs of its participants. Those supported by the University of the Sunshine Coast have found the experience to be highly influential in planning their leadership journeys and enhancing their leadership skills, as well as creating a valuable new network of colleagues. A huge thanks to the WATTLE committee for all their work in providing this unique resource and I hope that with continuing support from our universities, it will continue to make an impact in strengthening the representation of women in senior levels of leadership across the sector.”
Professor Helen Bartlett
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast Australia
La Trobe University is proud to be a founding member of the WATTLE program. WATTLE has supported a number of our female staff to develop leadership capabilities and build networks and connections that have helped them to advance their careers. I cannot speak highly enough of WATTLE. Since 2018, La Trobe has supported 16 women to participate in the program. Two of these women have gone on to roles outside the University, while 12 of the 14 participants who have stayed at La Trobe have been promoted to higher level positions at the University. This extraordinary success rate is a testament to the effectiveness of the program in helping to address the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership positions at Australian universities. La Trobe will continue to participate in WATTLE and support its work to bring together female leaders to design and develop programs that support the leadership development needs and aspirations of women across the sector. I encourage any university that is serious about gender equity to participate in WATTLE.”
Professor John Dewar AO
Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University
Having had the privilege of presenting at this incredible leadership development and networking program many times over the past 7 years, I’ve seen firsthand the power of the WATTLE community. The program not only provides a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences but also fosters an environment where women can uplift and inspire each other. I choose to contribute to this program because I believe in its mission to empower women to step into leadership roles, break barriers, and create lasting change in the higher education sector.
Personally, every year I walk away having met women that have opened their minds to renewed insights and created deeper connections, to support their work in what is not always an easy pathway. I personally experience a sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing I’ve played a small part in helping others unlock their full potential. I hope participants leave with a renewed sense of confidence, clarity in their leadership journey, and a deep belief in their ability to make a difference. It’s truly an honour to be part of this women in leadership experience.”
Professor Tania Broadley
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Australian Catholic University
There are few forums where women are able to deeply consider their professional goals and future plans in a safe and considered space, WATTLE offers this opportunity. WATTLE is so much more than presentations or networking instead it is a synergistic space that allows women to pause, reflect and reimagine their career paths.
My participation in various WATTLE sessions has opened me up to new ideas, leadership approaches and also, strategies to improve my own leadership skills. When you bring a group of women together, alternative perspectives emerge revealing that leadership does not have to ‘look’ or ‘feel’ a specific or singular way. Indeed, women have contacted me after speaking at WATTLE and thanked me for being ‘authentic’ and essentially giving them permission to act according to their values and personal beliefs rather than according to dominant perceptions about what a leader ‘should’ look like. Such spontaneous communication undoubtedly evidences the power of the WATTLE movement, participants definitely gain skills and knowledge but equally (and more importantly) experience the solidarity and emotional support required to produce the next generation of university leaders.
Dr Sarah O’Shea (PFHEA, ALTF, CF)
Distinguished Professor and Dean,
Graduate Research, Office of Graduate Research, Charles Sturt University
WATTLE IS UNIQUE. By offering a leadership program tailormade for women in Australian academia, it meets an important need: fostering the next generation of leaders and ensuring they have the skills to champion organisation-wide change towards equity, diversity and inclusion. By working with WATTLE, academic institutions build their capacity to create system-wide change and contribute to the SAGE/Athena Swan program.”
Dr Janin Bredehoeft
Chief Executive Officer
Science in Australia Gender Equity
(SAGE) Ltd