Equity and Inclusion Committee

Originally formed as the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group and later the Inclusion Committee, it was first established to address priorities identified in ACEM’s Discrimination, Bullying and Sexual Harassment Action Plan. 

As a standing entity of the ACEM Board, the Committee’s refreshed remit affirms its responsibility to provide expert advice, leadership and oversight to advance equity and inclusion across the College. This includes supporting a pro-equity, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist culture in which all members feel valued, respected and able to contribute. 

The Committee is guided by the understanding that equity means using different strategies to meet different needs in order to achieve equal outcomes, while inclusion means fostering belonging by valuing diversity and ensuring fair access to opportunities, resources and a respectful culture. 

The Committee has broad representation, bringing together ACEM Board leaders, FACEM members, FACEM trainees, associates and community members with both professional and lived experiences to ensure that a wide range of perspectives, expertise and experience inform its work.
 

Photo taken at ACEM, West Melbourne, 10 March 2026.
Back row, left to right: Christine Edwards, Glenn Swafford, Lucinda Parsonage, Timothy Goldsmith, Alasdair Williamson, Lynn Moreau
Front row, left to right: Nora Refahi, Bhushan Joshi, Belinda Carne, Stephen Gourley, Shantha Raghwan, Holly Barbagallo
Not pictured: Peter Allely, Gemma Brogan, Jocelyn Howell, Anil Nair, Libby Pallot, Abhilash Sangam

The Committee’s remit is to: 

• Lead and champion a pro-equity, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist approach across ACEM, embedding zero tolerance of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment (DBSH); 
• Develop, oversee and monitor the implementation of ACEM equity and inclusion action plans, and report regularly to the ACEM Board on progress and outcomes; 
• Provide advice and guidance to the ACEM Board, Councils and other College entities on initiatives, policies and activities that advance equity, inclusion and belonging across the emergency medicine community; 
• Support evidence-informed governance and accountability through benchmarking and reporting, including the production of periodic governance diversity reports;  
• Serve as the parent committee for various ACEM networks including the Advancing Women in Emergency Network, the Equity Champions Network and the Queer EM Network; and 
• Promote awareness, capability and cultural change within the College through education, engagement and knowledge-sharing activities, including contributions to the ACEM Annual Scientific Meeting. 

In its advisory capacity, the Committee makes recommendations to the ACEM Board and other governing bodies on matters requiring policy, process or strategic approval.