SDG 5 - Gender Equality

Supporting women in study

Lincoln University is firmly committed to promoting gender equity, supporting women throughout their academic journey in the Lincoln community, from enrolment to graduation.  

Lincoln University’s Admissions Policy, supported by the Admissions Procedure (published in the University Calendar, an official authoritative reference to its academic structure and governing regulations) and the Kaupapa Here Ararau Tōkeke| Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, clearly reflect a strong commitment to non-discrimination and equal access. Both policies and the procedure clearly state that any person may enrol as a student at the university, provided they meet the academic qualifications, with no restrictions based on gender. Such provisions highlight the university’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Crucially, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy goes further by recognising women as a diversity group who may experience barriers to accessing and succeeding at the university. The policy outlines the support offered to ensure all students are empowered and supported to succeed, highlighting the university's dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all. 
This commitment remains current, with the Admissions Policy updated in 2024 and the Kaupapa Here Kaupapa Here Ararau Tōkeke | Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy updated in 2025, ensuring continuous compliance and relevance. The Admissions Procedure is updated annually. 

Women's access to schemes 

Lincoln University continues to support women in studying in the land-based sectors. Since 2018, a continuing trend has been that the University’s student population sees females outnumbering males. Of the total number of students in 2024, 5,484, females totalled 3,054 (55%) while males were 2,423 (44%). Diverse students totalled 7(1%). 

Lincoln University demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing women's access through various scholarships. Notable scholarships include the:

• Yvonne A M Smith Charitable Trust Scholarship, which aims to foster future leaders among women in New Zealand 
• The Zonta International Canterbury Tertiary Education Scholarship, which supports women in completing their tertiary studies  
• The NZ Federation of Graduate Women Scholarships, which empowers women through education 
• The Edna Waddell Scholarships, which specifically targets women pursuing degrees in technology and engineering.  

For a local organisation committed to removing financial barriers for women seeking to further their education, Graduate Women Canterbury offers scholarships to those in their final year of study. The university is actively exploring the establishment of dedicated mentoring initiatives to further support and empower female students.   

Supporting women in underrepresented subjects

Lincoln University is committed to supporting women in higher education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, specifically within the land-based and STEM sectors, using a combination of targeted outreach and financial support.  

In 2024, more than 56% of students were women, as detailed in Lincoln University's Annual Report. 

This commitment is reflected through active outreach and collaboration with other universities, community groups and government agencies.

The Future Leader Scholarship Programme enables Lincoln students to deliver specific projects. In 2024, the Farm 2 Future project, led by female students Lily McClure and Katie Brown, involved a team of nine scholars. This project introduced 24 Year 12 students from across New Zealand to career opportunities in the food and fibre industries through a fully funded, three-day camp. The project focused on attracting students who might not otherwise consider these fields, with half of the pupils residing in an urban environment and having no prior agricultural experience. The Farm 2 Future project itself was sponsored by Rabobank, demonstrating a collaboration with a key industry player to fund and deliver the outreach initiative. 

Childcare facilities for students 

Lincoln University provides accessible childcare facilities through its Early Childhood Centre, which aims to support mothers with children aged under five years in attending university courses. The Centre delivers a learning environment consistent with Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s Early Childhood Education curriculum guidelines. Reviews of the centre’s operation are conducted regularly by the Education Review Office, and the most recent one describes the centre as offering a ‘settled and peaceful learning environment’. The Centre promotes the well-being of both children and parents, focusing on enabling students to balance their educational commitments with parenting responsibilities, thereby fostering an inclusive academic environment. 

Childcare facilities for staff and faculty   

Lincoln University provides childcare facilities for staff and faculty through its Early Childhood Centre, ensuring a supportive environment for employees with children aged under 5 years old. The Centre delivers a learning environment consistent with Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s Early Childhood Education curriculum guidelines. Reviews of the centre’s operation are conducted regularly by the Education Review Office, and the most recent one describes the centre as offering a ‘settled and peaceful learning environment’. The Centre promotes the well-being of both children and parents, and this continued commitment, enables staff to balance their professional responsibilities with their childcare needs, enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.  

Women’s mentoring schemes  

Lincoln University leverages strong industry collaboration to provide broad mentoring access that significantly benefits its female students in key subjects. Through events like the NZIFST Student Industry Evening, hosted in collaboration with the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST), the University offers students a direct platform to receive mentoring from seasoned industry professionals about future careers. The high engagement at these sessions is notable, with conversations often extending significantly longer than scheduled, clearly indicating the value of the mentor-student connections. Furthermore, these evenings serve to inspire female students by featuring presentations from female Lincoln University researchers (like Dr. Chrystal O'Connor), who act as strong female role models in food science and technology careers. 

Policies protecting those reporting discrimination  

Lincoln University's Code of Conduct Policy outlines a commitment to fostering an environment where all community members can work and learn safely and respectfully, while also protecting those who report discrimination from educational and employment disadvantage. The university has a Protected Disclosures Policy that adheres to the Whistleblowers Act, ensuring that individuals who report discrimination or misconduct are protected from any educational or employment disadvantages. This demonstrates Lincoln University's proactive stance in addressing and preventing discrimination within its community.  

Code of Conduct Policy was updated in February 2023.  

Protected Disclosures Policy was updated in August 2023.