Speaker: Dr Susan Harwood, Program Director WEXDEV, Australian Technology Network, Curtin University of Technology
with an introduction by Jaye Radisich MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Energy; Resources; Industry and Enterprise

Abstract:  
Are there any ‘quick fixes’ for engineering and computing? The presenter will draw on her extensive research and practitioner background to focus on some key strategies for bringing about positive and sustainable change in gendered workplace cultures. In common with policing, defence and scientific organisations, the engineering and computing industries can more often be classified as ‘densely masculinist’ workplaces. These are organisations and professions where the predominance of men and male practices, combined with the relative absence of women from key decision-making roles, continue to have a negative impact on cultural reform, productivity and the recruitment and retention of women.  
 
The presenter will outline some of her recent work in which she engages with senior men and women within and across a range of organisations to identify those subtle as well as overt gendered practices that continue to inhibit the progress, promotion and retention of women.  
 
Speaker Biography:
Dr Susan Harwood is the recently appointed National Program Director for WEXDEV, the ATN’s Women’s Executive Development strategy and as a result of her appointment the WEXDEV national office relocated from UTS to Curtin University of Technology. Susan’s WEXDEV responsibilities extend beyond Curtin to cover all five Australian Technology Network (ATN)
universities – RMIT, QUT, UniSA, UTS and Curtin. She is supported in her role by the five ATN Vice Chancellors and reports to ATN Director Vicki Thomson, as well as to the WEXDEV Management Committee comprising senior women from each of the ATN universities.  
 
Susan completed her PhD at UWA in 2006. Her research site was WA Police, where she worked with insider teams on an ARC-funded research project designed to redress the gendered workplace culture of policing. Susan has been running her successful consultancy business, Quality Consulting Services, for the past fifteen years. She is an experienced, trained facilitator and mediator; has an extensive background working in mining companies and works actively within organizations as a culture change agent. Her training delivery includes leadership and teamwork development, process improvement, the prevention of workplace bullying, conflict resolution, grievance handling and mediation and assertion skills.