Student Equity and Participation Working Group
The Student Equity and Participation Working Group (SEPWG) provides strategic leadership and coordination for student equity and participation across UWA.
As a subcommittee of the UWA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, SEPWG champions equitable access, meaningful participation and inclusive success for students across every stage of the university journey. We oversee the Student Access and Participation Framework, contribute to the Priority Cohorts Access and Growth Plan, and guide initiatives that strengthen outcomes for students from equity backgrounds.
Our membership brings together dedicated professional staff, academic staff and student representatives, working side-by-side to foster a welcoming, connected and opportunity‑rich environment. We collaborate closely with the UWA Student Guild and actively encourage student voice and leadership in university governance.
Chair: Elisa McGowan, Associate Director (Student Equity and Success)
Executive Sponsor: Professor Guy Littlefair
Executive Assistant: Ethan Calleja
For all enquiries please contact [email protected]
Student Access and Participation Framework
The Student Access and Participation Framework is delivered by Student Life and Community, with oversight from the Student Equity and Participation Working Group. The Framework was a recommendation of an external review of UWA’s equity initiatives in 2019, and has had consultation through a large-scale survey of staff and students and a workshop.
The Framework presents the University’s goals to facilitate strategic University-wide coordination and oversight of programs and activities that support students from underrepresented backgrounds to access, participate and succeed at UWA. Initiatives that have been developed under the current framework span the student lifecycle: pre-entry outreach, and ongoing targeted participation support during study.
In 2026 the Framework is being reviewed and updated, alongside the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Strategy. Please connect with us if you would like to be involved.