sdfw - Staff Development for Women Practitioner Group

The focus of the ‘sdfw’ (staff development for women) list is to link practitioners who are developing/ administering/ delivering women-only staff development programs in higher education, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. It was originally convened by Jennifer de Vries (Leadership Development for Women program at University of WA) in 1998. This followed on from an enthusiastic gathering of practitioners at the Winds of Change Conference at UTS (organised by Colleen Chesterman of the ATN WEXDEV network).

The list has a membership of approximately 60. It seeks to fill the gap for practitioners who fall between the Equity practitioner’s list (EOPHEA) and the staff development list. While there is overlap between the groups the sdfw list fills a niche that is peripheral to the main focus of the other lists.

Sdfw has now held five national meetings, which have taken place in conjunction with the EOPHEA conferences (Canberra 2001, Launceston 2003, Brisbane 2005, Melbourne 2007, and Sydney 2009). Lyn Browning from UniSA has taken responsibility for organisation and laison with conference planning committees on our behalf.

In addition to this sdfw members organise to meet at events where a number of members are attending, for example at conferences organised by ATN WEXDEV

How to Join

If you wish to join the list please email lucienne.tessens@uwa.edu.au.

It is useful when you first join the list to introduce yourself and the work you do. Of course the list can be used at anytime to request or share particular information or issues of concern.

Don’t worry – you wont be overwhelmed with emails. The list is focussed and people don’t use it for general information circulation. Once you join you will be able to access the archives – this will give you an idea of previous discussions and who else is on the list.

Please feel welcome to join and participate in this email discussion group.