Pictorial Representation of JCU Staff and Students

Policy and Procedures

1. Guidelines

JCU profile is greatly enhanced through the production of publications such as leaflets, booklets, posters, newsletters, videos, CDs and web pages. These media frequently use images of staff and students, the choice of which can send powerful, yet subtle, messages to the community -including prospective students - as to the kind of University JCU is striving to be.

To assist JCU reach its equity and diversity goals, images (such as photographs, films and cartoons) used in JCU publications need to be inclusive and representative of JCU student and staff population. Wherever possible they should depict a balanced population with regards to gender, race, disability and age. In areas where an imbalance exists, a special focus on the under-represented groups will assist the University redress this imbalance. In order to show the University as congenial and welcoming to specific groups, including international students, it may be necessary to increase the visibility of students with particular backgrounds in targeted publications.

All groups should be represented as contributing equally and meaningfully to the life of JCU. Wherever possible:

• Portray Indigenous staff and students, as well as staff and students from non-English backgrounds or with disabilities, in proportions roughly similar to those found in the region's general population;

• Represent both young and mature-age students and staff;

• Include women and men in equal numbers when depicting students, and administrative and teaching staff;

• Provide innovative role models to redress gender imbalance: for example, portray male students and staff in the fields of nursing, social sciences and education;

• Portray female students and staff in fields such as engineering, science and information technology;

• Represent both men and women in active roles (avoid the stereotypical man "doing" and the woman watching or taking notes for him).

As a guide, the following (very rough) proportions may be useful:

• Men/women: 50-50;

• School leavers/mature age: 70-30;

• Indigenous: 10%;

• Nesb: 10%;

• People with disabilities: 10%.

2. Resources

Guidelines outlining language ought to be used in University publications can be viewed in the booklet “All Present? - Guidelines to Inclusive Language and Pictorial Representation for Staff and Students at JCU”.

Approval Details

Modification History