Diversity and inclusiveness a focus for tech awards

Nominations are now open for the second #TechDiversity Awards.

Supported by major award partners the Victorian Government and RMIT, the awards recognise individuals and groups that have demonstrated diversity leadership across the categories of business, government, education and media/advertising.

Nominations are being sought for new diversity initiatives, as well as established diversity programs that can produce hard metrics on improved performance, enhanced bottom line figures or policy achievement.

While gender diversity remains a focus, the judges are also seeking initiatives that foster greater diversity across other minority groups, including those with disabilities, Indigenous communities and LGBTI+ communities, to build a truly inclusive industry. Nominations will be accepted via the #TechDiversity Awards website, closing 16 June 2017.

Building on the success of the awards last year, the 2017 #TechDiversity gala dinner and awards presentation in Melbourne on 3 August will form one of the key opening events of the Victorian Government’s annual Digital Innovation Festival. Comprising a range of digital innovation and technology events across the state, the Digital Innovation Festival celebrates how digital technology can make a difference in both education and business. The Victorian Innovation Minister’s Diversity Award, established in 2016 by Minister Philip Dalidakis, will also be presented at the 2017 gala dinner.

The #TechDiversity Awards’ second major partner, RMIT, has an established strong culture for promoting diversity and inclusion among both student and staff populations. The university is participating in the SAGE (Science in Australia Gender Equity) pilot of Athena SWAN, a national program promoting gender equity and diversity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).

The #TechDiversity Awards are run by the #TechDiversity Foundation, an industry-wide collaboration involving organisations including the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), Australian Computer Society (ACS), Spatial Industries Business Association and Australian Women in Security. Avanade is a gold sponsor of the awards.

Previous winners include Code Like A Girl and Diverse City Careers, both of which have expanded their businesses and rolled out their diversity programs to new audiences and new customers since being awarded #TechDiversity Leaders in 2016.

Nominations can be submitted for the #TechDiversity Awards at TechDiversityawards.com.

Image caption: The #TechDiversity Awards seek leaders and champions of diversity in the digital technology sector.

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