People and Culture Committee

Establishment of People and Culture Committee

1. The University’s Senate is the governing authority of the University established under the University of Queensland Act 1998. The Act permits Senate to delegate its powers under the Act to an appropriately qualified Committee that includes one or more members of Senate.

2. Senate has established the People and Culture Committee as a Committee of Senate.

Role of the Committee

3. The role of the Committee is to support Senate in exercising its responsibilities in relation to the matters set out in these terms of reference.

The Committee:

4.1 Monitors the culture of the University and provides recommendations to Senate to support its accountability for, and oversight of, culture at the University.

4.2 Assists Senate in its responsibilities in fostering a safe and inclusive culture, that is reflective of the University’s values, its purpose, and its foundational principles of freedom of speech, academic freedom, high academic standards, and the promotion of respectful discourse.

4.3 Oversees the University’s workforce strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining talent aligned with its Strategic Plan and the University’s values.

4.4 Monitors progress on relevant plans, strategies and reports in matters relating to equity, diversity and inclusion to inform the strategic direction of the University in relation to such matters.

Responsibilities of the Committee

5. Areas of focus

5.1 The People and Culture Committee will provide strategic oversight and monitoring of UQ's: 

• Campus culture, civil discourse, campus cohesion and anti-racism;
• Strategic Plan priorities relating to ‘Our People’;
• Organisational culture, capability, performance, and succession;
• Workplace diversity and inclusion; and
• Staff and student health, wellbeing, and psychosocial safety strategies.

Senior executive remuneration matters will continue to be overseen and managed in accordance with the terms of reference for the Senior Executive Remuneration and Performance Committee of Senate.

Risk management and workforce compliance matters, including health and safety, will continue to be overseen and managed in accordance with the terms of reference for the Risk and Audit Committee.

6. Informing strategic direction of the University

6.1 Guide the University’s approach to culture to achieve the vision, mission and values of the University.

6.2 Ensure the University provides a safe and inclusive environment for staff and students, including through having appropriate policies, systems and accountabilities.

6.3 Oversee the development of the University’s workforce and remuneration strategies.

6.4 Oversee the development of the University’s equity, diversity and inclusion strategy.

7. Monitoring and reporting

7.1 Review reports and monitor progress on relevant plans and reports for staff in the areas of focus for the committee, including:

7.1.1 Ensure the desired culture, values and expected behaviours are clearly articulated, through the Code of Conduct, policies and other documents, and communicated effectively throughout the university.

7.1.2 Review the University’s key strategic plans in the areas of focus to identify any gaps, and make recommendations, including targets for staff equity, diversity and inclusion matters, particularly in light of relevant benchmarking data.

7.1.3 Ensure there are effective, confidential, and transparent processes to regularly capture staff input on culture through the Pulse survey, to consider the institutional response to feedback, and monitor the plan to foster the desired culture throughout the University.

7.1.4 Ensure there are effective mechanisms for the engagement of students as active stakeholders in University culture.

7.1.5 Monitor the University’s performance against its strategies for attracting, developing and retaining talent aligned with its Strategic Plan and the University’s values.

Power of the Committee

8. The Committee has no delegated authority. Accordingly, the Committee may only make recommendations to Senate.

9. The Committee may, from time-to-time, form working parties in relation to matters where it is expedient to do so.

Structure and Composition of the Committee

10. Membership appointment

10.1 Senate appoints a Member of Senate to chair the Committee.

10.2 Senate determines the membership composition.

10.4 Only members have voting rights.

11. Membership composition
Members:

• Chancellor
• Vice-Chancellor
• President, Academic Board
• At least three UQ Senators, chaired by an independent Senator and with:
  • A balanced gender representation;
  • At least two independent members of Senate;
  • At least one staff representative from the Senate membership; and
  • At least one student representative from the Senate membership.

Additional attendees:

• Chief Operating Officer
• Provost or Deputy Provost
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Campus Culture & Leadership)
• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement)
• Other attendees as approved by the Chair
• Committee Secretariat.

12. Expertise required of members

12.1 Members of Committee should have appropriate expertise to ensure the Committee performs its role effectively.

12.2 The Committee has the ability to co-opt external attendees with appropriate expertise.

13. Responsibilities of members

13.1 Under the Conflict of Interest Policy, members need to ensure that any conflict of interest office is avoided, resolved or appropriately managed in accordance with the Policy.

13.2 Members are required to comply with the University’s Code of Conduct, particularly the confidentiality requirement.

13.3 Members are required to comply with the Diversity and Inclusion policy.

14. Term of appointment

The term of appointment of a Member is up to four years, and may be renewed. Appointment terms should be staggered to ensure continuity of membership.

Operation of the Committee

15. The People and Culture Committee will generally meet four times a year.

16. Secretariat support is to be provided by the Office of the Provost and/or Human Resources.

17. The format of the agenda and minutes should be consistent with those produced for Senate meetings.

18. The agenda and papers should be distributed at least five business days prior to the meeting.

19. The Committee will report to Senate on key issues.

20. Members of the Committee may participate in the meeting by way of teleconference/video facilities.

21. The quorum for meetings is 50 per cent of formal members.

22. The Terms of Reference of the Committee and the functioning of the Committee should be subject to regular review by Senate, including self-assessment by the Committee, to ensure it is operating effectively and fulfilling its functions.

*As on 26 February 2026