Congratulations to Dr Jess Borger on winning the Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion

Dr Jessica Borger (left) being given the award
by Professor Margaret Gardner, Vice-Chancellor
of Monash University

Congratulations to Dr Jessica Borger, who has won the 2021 Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion. See full list here.

Dr Borger said, "I felt very humbled to be awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award in Diversity and Inclusion.

"I am the first to admit, it would not be possible if not for the support of the amazing networks of women in STEM I have surrounded myself with, as well as the wholehearted support of so many at Monash University, especially the CCS GEDI committee.

"Professors Terry O'Brien [Head of Central Clinical School (CCS)] and Steve Jane [Dean, sub-faculty Translational Medicine and Public Health] have continuously and unquestionably supported my initiatives and various Equity, Diversity and Inclusion roles where I represent CCS and Monash University, for which I am very thankful.

"I also want to acknowledge Prof Edwina McGlinn, A/Prof Jane Bourke, and Dr Lucie Joschko who have provided me with energetic support within Monash and along with Professor Chris Mitchell [Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences], cheered me on and made the day so memorable for me.

"Reflecting on the day, to be awarded by our VC Prof Margaret Gardner, introduced by Prof Sharon Pickering and strongly supported by our Dean Prof Chris Mitchell in the audience - it made me realise how lucky I am to have these exceptional women in STEM as my role models and leaders, representing all our efforts are slowly leading to change."

Prof Terry O'Brien said, "It is so pleasing to see Dr Borger's hard work and leadership in this critical area being recognised by the highest levels of our University."

See all VC recipients here.

A bit more about Dr Jess Borger

Dr Borger is the winner of the Margaret Baird Women in STEM Lectureship and veski STEM sidebyside emerging leader. She is a passionate women-in-STEM advocate.

Representing Monash University nationally, she developed the veski inspiring women career recovery grants, supporting women impacted by the COVID-pandemic. A member of the Equity for Medical Research Alliance, she established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Central Clinical School (CCS) survey with the CCS GEDI committee, rolled-out University-wide by the Athena Swan committee. In her committee role, now as Chair of the GEDI committee, Dr Borger also authored a seminar checklist aiming to facilitate gender equity at all CCS meetings and has published Diversity and Inclusion articles in the Lens, Women’s Agenda, and Times Higher Education. 

Currently, Dr Borger is petitioning the NHMRC to fund women in STEMM equally.