A report evaluating the impact of Women in Science Parkville Precinct (WiSPP) over the last ten years. WiSPP supports women and underrepresented groups to thrive and excel in medical research. It was formed in 2014 to address gender inequity among five of Australia’s largest medical research institutes (MRIs) in Parkville in Melbourne. The report looks at the impact of WiSPP across three levels: individual, institutional and community.

WiSPP used a collective impact strategy to secure the commitment of multiple groups in different sectors towards a shared goal of resolving the issue of gender inequity in medical research. WiSPP facilitated collective impact by taking a grassroots approach by bringing together researchers and professional staff and to securing champions in its five medical research institutes. They broadened their collective by supporting and empowering others in their community, outside of the initial medical research institutes. They worked from bottom up and top down with people across all levels to identify and find solutions for the retention and advancement of women and other underrepresented groups in their precinct.

The report concludes that a strong foundation has been laid but there is a need to continue to advance equality in medical and scientific research.