APA, Melb Uni launch second Workforce Survey on Diversity and Inclusion

The Australian Publishers Association (APA) has launched its second Australian Publishing Industry Workforce Survey on Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with the University of Melbourne.

The survey, which is open to all individuals working in the Australian publishing industry, including freelancers, will examine the demographic make-up of staff in the industry, and track progress towards greater diversity since the inaugural survey was conducted in 2022.

The APA is working with University of Melbourne Publishing and Communications researchers Beth Driscoll, Claire Parnell and Sandra Phillips, and consulted with the APA’s Diversity & Inclusion Working Group; the Institute of Professional Editors’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Party; and the First Nations and People of Colour in Publishing Network in developing the survey.

APA CEO Patrizia Di Biase-Dyson said: “A workforce that reflects the broader community is essential to the long-term health of our industry and demonstrates our commitment to publishing books for all Australian readers and learners. This survey is critical to help us track the industry’s progress towards a more diverse workforce, and to highlight where greater investment is required.”

Phillips, Professor in Publishing and Communications and Associate Dean Indigenous, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, said: “First Nations professionals strengthen the Australian publishing industry’s capacity to connect First Nations storytellers from the world’s oldest living cultures to contemporary and future readership across Australia and the world. Inclusion of First Nations strength and leadership is a great point of difference for the industry.”

The APA said results will be shared with the industry in the second half of the year.

The survey can be accessed via a University of Melbourne portal, with responses due by 30 April.

Category: Local news