Verity Firth to lead social justice and equity at UTS

Former NSW Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Women Verity Firth has been appointed to lead social justice and equity initiatives at the University of Technology Sydney.

Ms Firth has commenced at UTS in the new position of Executive Director Equity and Diversity.

UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said the new position sought to build on UTS's proud history in social justice and equity and was a symbol of the university's strong commitment to these values.

"The Executive Director will work across the university on social justice, equity and diversity strategies and initiatives, providing a strong, credible voice for social justice within the UTS community," Professor Brungs said. "She will also be a public advocate on social justice and equity issues, building partnerships with external organisations, communities and individuals.

"Verity Firth brings to UTS experience at the very highest levels of government and the not-for-profit sector in Australia. Over the past eight years she has been working in the Australian education sector, first as Minister for Education and Training in NSW (2008-2011) and then as the Chief Executive of the Public Education Foundation.

"As Minister for Education and Training she had a proven track record in equity in education and how to best address educational disadvantage in low socio economic communities, including rural and remote indigenous communities.

"As NSW Minister for Women (2007-2009) she implemented sector-wide strategies to improve women's recruitment, development and employment in the NSW public sector," Professor Brungs said.

Ms Firth said, "I am excited by the opportunity to work at UTS, a university that has shown a sustained commitment to equity and excellence in higher education."

UTS is one of the largest universities in NSW but also one of the most diverse. In 2014 nearly 3,000 of UTS's more than 39,000 students came from a low socioeconomic background, there were 1,271 students with a disability and 10,730 international students from more than 70 countries. Among staff, 36 per cent of the around 3,000 employees were from a non-English speaking background.

This year for the 14th year in a row UTS was named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, but the university is committed to improve its performance in several key areas.

These include lifting the numbers of female academic staff in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine and the ongoing career development of female academics more broadly.

Another priority is increasing numbers of Low SES and Indigenous students, as well as improving pathways for non-school leavers, particularly from low SES backgrounds.