Equity networks

SUPRA coordinates seven (7) networks for postgraduate students at the University of Sydney, in order to support their specific equity needs within the University. These networks aim to:

  • provide opportunities for postgraduates to connect and socialise
  • provide ways for distributing information about equity-specific issues within the University and society at large
  • provide a forum of representation for the needs of each equity group.

Each equity network is coordinated by the Equity Officer elected by the network.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduates’ Network

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collective is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of SUPRA.

The small but significant proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduates among the wider postgraduate community is continuing to rise and most Indigenous students are the first in their families to get a tertiary education. SUPRA not only recognises the historic educational disadvantage that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have suffered but is committed to both supporting them during their studies and voicing their issues.

If you have any queries about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduates Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer: indigenous@supra.usyd.edu.au.

Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Students’ Network

The Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Students’ Network consists of both domestic and international postgraduate research candidates at the University of Sydney.

SUPRA acknowledges the distinct challenges faced by HDR students, from admission to scholarships and funding, to supervisor relations and intellectual property issues. We are committed to advocating for excellence in research education and ensuring the HDR cohort receives the support they need to thrive.

International HDR students also confront unique immigration processes and often encounter challenges like care responsibilities and limited peer interactions.

SUPRA is devoted to providing the best representation and offering comprehensive support to all HDR students.

If you have any queries about the Higher Degree by Research Students’ Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s Higher Degree by Research Student Officer: hdr@supra.usyd.edu.au.

International Postgraduate Students’ Network

The International Student Collective is made up of members of SUPRA that are international students.

SUPRA understands that international students frequently face many difficulties that domestic postgraduates do not — especially in relation to fees, visas, immigration, language and cultural barriers, and the general experience of being considered a source of revenue by the University. SUPRA is committed to the representation of international student issues and redressing the unfair exploitative practices.

SUPRA also understands that being a student from a different cultural background can mean it is more difficult to participate in the student culture on campus. SUPRA is committed to ensuring that the International Postgraduate Students Network provides a means of social engagement.

If you have any queries about the International Postgraduate Students’ Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s International Student Officer: international@supra.usyd.edu.au.

You can also connect with the International Postgraduate Students’ Network on Facebook.

Disability and Inclusion Network

The Disability and Inclusion Network is a meeting point for postgraduate students at the University of Sydney who identify with having a disability. Both coursework and HDR students are welcome.

One in 5 Australians live with visible and non-visible disabilities that impact daily activities, studies, communication and/or mobility in various ways, including:

  • Physical – affects mobility, dexterity; including migraine, endometriosis, EDS, PCOS
  • Mental illness – anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar and other conditions
  • Sensory – d/Deaf, hard of hearing, hyperacusis, blind, low vision
  • Neurological – MS, epilepsy, brain injury, conditions affecting brain and nervous system
  • Learning – cognitive and intellectual disability, memory, focus, neurodiversity
  • Immunological – autoimmune, ME/CFS, and other chronic multisystemic conditions.

SUPRA recognises that we are on the stolen land of the Gadigal Peoples of the Eora Nation. We pay respect to elders past and present. This land was never ceded.

If you have any queries about the Disability and Inclusion Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s Disabilities Officer: disability@supra.usyd.edu.au.

You can also find the Disability and Inclusion Network on Facebook.

Postgraduate Women’s Network

The Women’s Collective is made up of members of SUPRA who identify as women.

Being a woman and a postgraduate can be a challenge. The Postgraduate Women’s Network is a social, academic and policy-support network run by, and comprised of, women-identifying postgraduates at the University of Sydney. SUPRA acknowledges that women often experience many barriers to accessing and completing higher education including being the primary carers of children, experiences of sexism within the University, and the comparative lack of opportunity.

SUPRA is here to support women and is dedicated to making your postgraduate experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.

If you have any queries about the Postgraduate Women’s Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s Women’s Officer: women@supra.usyd.edu.au.

You can also connect with the Postgraduate Women’s Network on Facebook.

Queer Postgraduates’ Network

The Queer Collective is made up of members of SUPRA that are part of the queer community.

Being queer on campus has its own problems, ranging from the hostility of homophobia and transphobia to simple lack of understanding of the complex questions of identity and discovery experienced by queer students. In many areas of society, queer students still face inequality.

Queer issues and queer networking on campus can be nebulous, especially because queer students can be one of the most invisible (but also sometimes the most visible) students on campus. Queer diversity is a continuing feature of the university lifestyle and representation includes, but is not limited to, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, intersex, sex and/or gender diverse students.

If you have any queries about the Queer Postgraduates’ Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s Queer Officer: queer@supra.usyd.edu.au.

You can also connect with the Queer Postgraduates’ Network on Facebook.

Satellite Campus Postgraduates’ Network

The Satellite Campus Collective is made up of members of SUPRA that do not attend courses or undertake research at the main University of Sydney Camperdown Campus.

If you are a postgraduate studying at a satellite campus, SUPRA acknowledges the diverse difficulties that you may be presented with. These may be social, relocation, access to the University’s academic support, or access to facilities.

The aim of this portfolio is to bridge the gap between postgraduates on main campus and the thousands located across Australia. This is challenging, however the more postgraduates studying at satellite campuses who connect through SUPRA, the easier this will be and the stronger the Network will become.

If you have any queries about the Satellite Campus Postgraduates’ Network or would like to raise some issues please contact SUPRA’s Satellite Campus Officer: satellite@supra.usyd.edu.au

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