Get to know Helena Wacko – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Researcher

What’s been a defining moment for you as a woman in your career? 

One of the most defining moments in my career was being introduced to gender as a lens for understanding and analysing the world during my studies. This lens has fundamentally reshaped how I approach research, the topics I choose to explore, and the impact I hope my work will have. Viewing issues through the lens of gender changed not just how I see the world, but also how I understand the power of research – not just as a collection of numbers or experiences, but as a tool that goes hand in hand with advocacy.   

What’s your view on the current state of gender equity? 

We’re at a challenging juncture when it comes to gender equity. On one hand, there’s growing momentum behind important conversations about equity and inclusion in workplaces and society at large. On the other hand, there’s a noticeable rise in anti-gender sentiment making the work on gender equity both more challenging and more critical. While progress is being made, it’s often slow and fragmented. The conversation is no longer just about fairness; it’s about fundamentally reshaping systems to equitably support everyone, accounting for intersecting forms of oppression such as race, class, ability, and sexuality. However, this dialogue can sometimes falls short, highlighting the danger of addressing struggles in isolation rather than recognising their interconnectedness. Despite the challenges, I find it inspiring to see how people and organisations work to address these issues in ways that are bold, thoughtful, and intersectional. 

What have you read recently, and what’s a key takeaway for our audience? 

Leslie Kern’s ‘Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man-Made World’ is a great read that argues for the ingrained gender bias in design. Although Kern’s focus is on urban spaces, her arguments are also relevant to workplaces. The book highlights how the structures surrounding us – both physical and systemic – are deeply gendered, and how they often exacerbate inequities like the double burden of caregiving. For workplaces, there’s an important takeaway here: the systems we design, from flexible working arrangements to caregiving support, must account for these intersecting inequalities. Kern’s use of case studies, interwoven with wonderfully written personal anecdotes from a lifetime of navigating urban spaces, invites us to imagine how we might reshape not just cities but all the environments in which we work and live. It has definitely made me rethink how I navigate and perceive my physical and urban surroundings! Her vision of a world designed with care and inclusion at its core is both radical and deeply practical, offering lessons that extend far beyond urban planning! 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I’ve recently picked up boxing at a local community gym after years of putting it away. It’s a fun, supportive space that allows me to fully engage my mind and body (and I recently got a new pair of gloves which make it all the better!).