Storm over all-male line-up of honorary doctorate recipients at Melbourne University

Critics are calling on Melbourne University to introduce diversity policies after its honorary doctorate recipients were all men.

Melbourne University honorary doctorate recipients from left: Professor Sir Peter Donnelly, Leigh Clifford, Dr Francis Gurry, Professor Colin Wilks, Dr Mark Schipp and Professor Allan Fels.

An all-male line-up of honorary doctorate recipients has sparked uproar at Melbourne University amid claims of an academic boys’ club.

The six recipients, including former competition expert Allan Fels and businessman Leigh Clifford, already have several qualifications.

Rural health advocate and Victoria’s 2019 Young Australian of the Year Dr Skye Kinder called on the university to do better.

“I have no doubts that many women in our university community were deserving of an honorary doctorate this year.’’

Dr Skye Kinder says the university should do better. Picture: AAP

Dr Kinder, a former employee of the Parkville university, said the issue was reflective of a broader pattern of unconscious gender bias.

“Did no one at any stage notice this (the all-male line-up)?

“A lot of these very old institutions still have a way to go to not just introduce diversity policies but how they are embodied every day.’’

The criticisms were not aimed at the six recipients, or their achievements, rather the lack of diversity.

Comment was sought from vice-chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell but in a statement, the university said an unspecified number of graduates who were due to receive their honorary doctorates on Monday were unable to attend the in-person ceremony for a range of reasons.

“This list includes three women and an Indigenous man who were recognised for outstanding achievements in their fields of endeavour,’’ a spokesperson said.

“These honorary doctorates will be conferred at a later date.’’

The uni’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy says it aims to “advance and embed the principles of diversity and inclusion across all activities at the university to create enduring and widespread cultural change’’.

The university conducted a review of its diversity policies in 2020 and 2021.

Melbourne University Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell. Picture: Mark Stewart

But leading public health advocate Dr Allison Hempenstall said: “I look forward to the day when I see more accomplished honorary doctoral recipients who look more like me’’.

Media academic Jeannine Baker asked on Twitter: “How is it possible in 2022 that this was considered acceptable?’’

The other recipients were Professor Sir Peter Donnelly, Dr Francis Gurry, Professor Colin Wilks and Dr Mark Schipp.

Chancellor Allan Myers handed out the honours at a ceremony on campus on Monday.

No honorary awards were handed out last year but two – to Don Hewitt and Charles (Garry) Woodward – were conferred in 2020.

Comment was being sought from vice-chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell.