Events

Join Dr Will Dobud to discuss recent updates in adventure and outdoor therapy research. Will describes evolutions of how we conceptaulise practice, namely around pathways client’s experience for change – through success and mastery, shared experiences, and hope for a better future. Attendees will examine what works, and more critically, what doesn’t in outdoor therapy practice. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/outdoor-therapies-pathways-for-change-and-the-trail-ahead-w-dr-will-dobud-tickets-695873555537?aff=oddtdtcreator

HDR students from Swinburne's School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education present their original and ground-breaking research for discussion.

This report presents the findings from the 2022 CGEPS grants. This research explored how conceptions of gender equality are informed by an understanding of the experiences of diverse groups of women – in this case, migrant and refugee women in the public sector, specifically local councils. We sought to investigate how the pursuit of gender equality in Victoria, Australia, considers the diversity of women's needs and experiences. The findings presented in this report are best understood as both a challenge and an opportunity for the Commission, for local councils and for the public sector more broadly. This report prioritises the experiences of migrant and refugee women working in local councils and highlights the systemic barriers to their career progression. The findings highlight the importance of paying specific attention to the experiences of migrant and refugee women. Considering this cohort's diversity of identity and circumstances is crucial while tailoring efforts to improve their workplace experiences. This launch is being held in conjunction with Social Sciences Week, to find out more please visit SSW or Social Sciences Week at Monash.

Understanding lived experience is a national mental health priority and has a vital role in shaping the policy and practices aimed at improving social support for suicidal distress in LGBTIQA+ communities. This panel brings together expert social science academics, LGBTQIA+ community sector support services and advocates to present research about the lived experience of suicidal behaviour within culturally diverse LGBTIQA+ communities, including First Nations LGBTIQA+SB people and LGBTIQA+POC. The panel will detail key insights from interviews with 20 lived experience participants, recruited from across Australia including 3 First Nations LGBTQA+SB people, 7 LGBTQA+ POC and 10 LGBTQA+ people. Themes discussed focus on the importance of intersectionality (the overlapping impact of multiple forms of discrimination) when understanding LGBTQA+SB lives, experiences of suicidal distress and the formal and informal support. Recommendations for policy and practice will be outlined, including the need to improve knowledge, awareness, and access to support services that are inclusive of intersectional experiences. We will also outline how, through a process of participatory co-design, this lived experience research has been translated into an online training module that is available for delivery from Switchboard, Victoria. This research was funded by Suicide Prevention Australia. Panelists: Katherine Johnson (RMIT), Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat […]

Join us for one or both of two online seminars exploring transformative justice and peace on the African continent. Session 1: Transformative Justice and the African Union: Unsettling the Dominant Discourse and Practice of Transitional Justice 4 September, 1-2 pm Online only Speaker: Dr Wendy Lambourne, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, Discipline of Sociology and Criminology, University of Sydney Transitional justice as a field of practice has become standardised around four ‘essential and complementary’ key pillars derived from the Joinet principles against impunity: criminal justice, truth-seeking, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence/institutional reform. These four key pillars were defined by the United Nations in 2010 as central to supporting transitional justice in countries seeking to build peace at the same time as addressing the legacies of mass human rights violations. I have argued that the imposition of these four pillars as the only model of transitional justice not only undermines the principles of local ownership and contextualisation, it is also incompatible with a process of transformative justice and the ultimate goals of peace and reconciliation. The African Union has subsequently developed a Transitional Justice Policy and Framework for the region that takes a broader, more flexible and localised perspective which is […]

Join us for afternoon tea at RMIT’s Garden Building (City Campus) to discover more about the role digital technology is playing to advance social impact on a global scale. Explore the applications of digital tech for social good Understand how industry is using digital tech to combat modern slavery Celebrate the launch of our new online short course designed to harness digital tech to drive social impact This event is open to businesses, government, academics and the community as part of the Digital Innovation Futures Festival. Event details: RMIT's Business and Human Rights Centre, Associate Professor Shelley Marshall will take us on an exploration of the applications of digital technology for social good, and how we can play in their acceleration and spread. Get involved in an interactive panel discussion with Andre Clarke from AskYourTeam and Greta Korthaus from the United Nations Global Compact to understand how industry is combatting modern slavery with digital technologies. Official launch of RMIT Digital3’s online short course Advancing Social Impact with Digital Technologies produced with RMIT's Business and Human Rights Centre. This short six week course guides participants through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is a blueprint for how businesses can […]

This presentation reports on findings from a large-scale survey that is part of an Australian government funded project entitled, Understanding and Addressing Everyday Sexisms in Australian Universities. The project is situated within the context of the negative impact of gender-based discrimination upon the higher education sector in Australia and internationally. Although sexual harassment and overt discriminatory practices receive a great deal of attention within university policy and staff training, this research also shows that significant career damage occurs through an accumulation of ‘everyday sexisms’. Preliminary survey results from academics highlight differential awareness of everyday sexism within the academy. The speaker: Dr Emily Gray is Senior Lecturer Education Studies and Higher Degrees by Research Delegated Authority at RMIT’s School of Education. As a researcher, Emily is interested in questions of gender and sexuality and with how these identity categories are lived and experienced within social institutions. Her key research interests therefore lie with questions related to gender, social justice, student and teacher identity and with wider social justice issues within educational discourse and practice. She also writes on popular culture, public pedagogies and audience studies, online fandom and media and popular culture as pedagogical tools. She is co-founder of #FEAS Feminist […]

The Centre for Urban Transitions and the Victorian Hydrogen Hub at Swinburne University of Technology proudly present an inspiring online forum centered around the theme of “Sustainable Futures" during Social Science Week. This engaging event will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary discussions on sustainable futures, with a specific focus on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability. Join us for an enriching experience featuring talks from three esteemed speakers, representing CUT and partner organizations. Together, they will lead dynamic discussions on the creation of sustainable pathways for the future. Discover the critical importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities in car dependency for sustainable futures, as Prof. Takemi Sugiyama enlightens us with his profound insights. Dr. Steve Rodgers will shed light on the significance of fair energy transitions in our journey towards a greener society, offering a vision of how we can collectively move towards a sustainable energy future. In addition, Dr. Olamide Shittu will share innovative strategies for improving plastic resource recovery in Australia through circular and collective impact approaches, paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. This event is not limited to the academic community but is open to the broader Swinburne community, our networks, […]

The humanities, arts and social sciences sit with the possibilities and tensions of living with artificial intelligence. Are we entering an era of extraordinary creativity, an explosion in our capacity to conjure ideas, images, and sounds? Are we flourishing with AI? The arrival of AI has been heralded by technologists with utopian dreams – the expansion of our imaginations, the escape from mundane tasks. Are these dreams becoming a reality? Join us for an informative debate that will not only entertain but also showcase the breadth of talent and inquiry across our Faculty. All welcome! Food and refreshments provided. Panellists: For the affirmative Prof Deb Brown A/Prof Jason Lodge Dr Awais Hameed Khan For the negative A/Prof Andrew Phillips Dr Luke Munn Dr Leah Henrickson About HASS Research and Innovation Week Debate: 'Humans flourish with Artificial Intelligence' Join us for an informative debate that will not only entertain but also showcase the breadth of talent and inquiry across our Faculty.

A/Prof Marietta Martinovic leads The Beyond the Stone Walls Advisory Collective (BSWAC), which comprises of people with criminal justice lived experience, RMIT staff and students. As part of Social Sciences Week 2023, BSWAC will run an interactive session, which comprises of a diverse panel and workshop discussion. This session will centre on the themes of inclusivity, diversity and social collaboration with diverse lived experiences. This thought-provoking session will provide an opportunity to put fresh perspectives into practice. Participants will leave the session with their biases and preconceived beliefs shattered. Panellists include: Pattie - Lived Criminal Justice experience representative, BSWAC Michael - Lived Criminal Justice experience representative, BSWAC Kate Kennedy - Researcher Lived Criminal Justice experience, BSWAC Igor Tomic - Senior Program Manager, Justice Services, Corrections Victoria Melanie Field-Pimm - Development Manager, VACRO

Peer review is considered a hallmark of quality in academic research. But peer-review is a highly diverse process that is sometimes contradictory or unclear. Join our panel for this timely discussion as part of Social Sciences Week. This session explores what ‘quality’ in peer review means and what kinds of peer-review processes are emerging in the social sciences and humanities. Panellists will briefly offer their views and experience before a Q&A session with the audience. Dr Rachael Brown Rachael Brown is Lecturer in the School of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Philosophy of the Sciences at the Australian National University, primarily at the intersection of the philosophy of biology, philosophy of cognitive science, and philosophy of science. Rachael is particularly interested in the evolution of cognition and behaviour, the relationship between Evo-devo and the Neo-Darwinian Synthesis, model-based reasoning in biology and philosophy, and methodological issues in the study of animal behaviour and cognition. Dr Jason Chin Jason Chin is senior lecturer at the College of Law at the Australian National University, the former (2020-21) President of the Association for Interdisciplinary Meta-research and Open Science (AIMOS), and the inaugural registered reports editor for Forensic Science International: Synergy. He is […]

For Social Science Week, SICS Radio will be diving into how AI is changing the face of research and education in information and communication studies. Our four contributors are academics directly from the School of Information and Communication Studies and have been exploring this hot topic in recent research studies and publications. Dr Kay Oddone is interested in researching the impact of generative AI on school education; and in particular, the leading role Teacher Librarians might play in designing learning with and about these new platforms and tools. Dr Lizzy Tait is researching the ethical applications of AI and algorithmic literacy as well as the impact of AI on the professional knowledge and skills of LIS practitioners and the implications of these new technologies on the future of the profession. In conversation with students and colleagues, Dr Travis Holland is investigating what role generative AI will have in the future careers of media and communication professionals and how will it impact and change the work of those who already occupy those roles. Dr David Cameron is the Newsroom and Content Coordinator for the Division of People and Culture.  With our show title (and some of this very blurb) coming straight from Chat GPT itself, this episode of […]

Join us for one or both of two online seminars exploring transformative justice and peace on the African continent. Session 1: Transformative Justice and the African Union: Unsettling the Dominant Discourse and Practice of Transitional Justice 4 September, 1-2 pm Online only Speaker: Dr Wendy Lambourne, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, Discipline of Sociology and Criminology, University of Sydney Transitional justice as a field of practice has become standardised around four ‘essential and complementary’ key pillars derived from the Joinet principles against impunity: criminal justice, truth-seeking, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence/institutional reform. These four key pillars were defined by the United Nations in 2010 as central to supporting transitional justice in countries seeking to build peace at the same time as addressing the legacies of mass human rights violations. I have argued that the imposition of these four pillars as the only model of transitional justice not only undermines the principles of local ownership and contextualisation, it is also incompatible with a process of transformative justice and the ultimate goals of peace and reconciliation. The African Union has subsequently developed a Transitional Justice Policy and Framework for the region that takes a broader, more flexible and localised perspective which is […]

Walk and goat therapy is a play on the notion of Walk & Talk, which gained in popularity during COVID-19 restrictions. This session will discuss the risks and opportunities of the non-talk elements of doing therapy outdoors in public spaces. The session is aimed at talk-therapists who wish to begin Walk & Talk sessions. Those who work outdoors may find the discussion interesting as this work often overlooks the wonderful opportunities of simple and uncontrollable encounters outdoors. Goats will be involved. Register to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/walk-and-goat-therapy-w-graham-pringle-tickets-695928289247?aff=oddtdtcreator

Why are Margaret and Josh talking about adventure therapy on their wedding anniversary? Because it was working in an adventure therapy organisation in Alaska where the two met! This session will explore their most important takeaways from a career working therapeutically in the outdoors. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-adventure-therapy-power-couple-tickets-698807771857

Cancel culture is a poorly defined, politicised and polarising socio-cultural phenomenon. At best, cancel culture is hailed as an empowering means for marginalised communities to hold high profile figures accountable for offensive actions. At worst, it is seen as a problematic and uncontrollable trend that demonises individuals under the guise of moral virtue, and stifles public debate. Digital spaces are also shaping the form, content and influence of cancel culture, unsettling previous hierarchies by allowing anyone with a social media account to ‘speak truth to power’ and call out views or conduct deemed problematic. This session will bring together scholars and activists working at the intersections of digital media practices, social justice issues and political activism to consider the phenomenon of ‘cancel culture’ and the constraints, problems and benefits it generates for digital subjects and scholars.

Protecting individuals’ identities is a continual challenge for researchers in the data age, when individuals can be easily identified based on their statements, images, and even their grammatical tendencies in writing or speaking. How can researchers using social science methods protect the privacy or anonymity of participants? One solution is to rebuild raw data into composite forms that present and/or evoke the researchers’ interpretations but do not use original materials gathered from participants. This is done primarily at later stages of the research when presenting findings. Using the strength of qualitative approaches, the researcher can transform verbal and visual materials gathered in field observations, interviews, and focus groups, as well as larger datasets generated through data scraping. In this masterclass, Professor Annette Markham presents her concept of ‘Ethical Fabrication’ followed by a workshop where participants practice techniques for building composites as narrative vignettes. The workshop will conclude with a brainstorming session on the practice and types of ethical fabrication in the era of generative AI. While it might seem easy to consider fabricating composite accounts in an automated fashion with cloud-based generative AI (ChatGPT, for example), this practice is ethical risky at present, as it essentially shares the raw dataset […]

In this presentation, we provide a demo of the “Umibot” chatbot that we developed for victim-survivors, bystanders and perpetrators of image-based abuse. Drawing on a conceptual approach that embraces intersectional feminism and a feminist data ethics of care, we outline some of the challenges we confronted in the design and development of the chatbot. The Speakers: Professor Nicola Henry is an ARC Future Fellow in the Social and Global Studies Centre at RMIT. Her research focuses on the prevalence, nature and impacts of gendered violence, including legal and non-legal responses to addressing and preventing violence. Her current research is focused on technology-facilitated abuse and image-based sexual abuse. Dr Alice Witt is a Research Fellow in the Social and Global Studies Centre at RMIT. Her research investigates the exercise of governing power in the digital age, focusing on the intersections of regulation, technology, and gender. Alice’s research expertise includes content moderation on Instagram and other social media platforms; the governance of and by online platforms; and the regulation of women’s bodies.

A conversation about gaps of inclusion in universities, and blocks and pathways to tertiary education for students with a refugee background This panel will consider gaps of inclusion in universities and blocks and pathways to tertiary education for current and prospective students with a refugee background. This event also features musician Sayeed Zaman Ibrahim, who will play the Hazaragi Dambora. Panel discussants include: Dr Karen Dunwoodie (Deakin University), Director at Deakin CREATE. She has worked, volunteered, researched and advocated in the refugee sector in Australia for the past 12 years and her research interests include progressing the field of refugee resettlement, principally focussing on career development and the impact access to tertiary education and training may have on the lives on refugees and people seeking asylum. Karen’s research interests extend to investigating why some employers may or may not be actively including people with a refugee background, as part of their employment diversity and inclusion strategies. Ms Lana Formoso, Deputy Mayor of Dandenong City Council and a Dandenong High School teacher. She is a dedicated community leader for her community specially newly arrived migrants and refugees in Southeast Melbourne. She is an SES volunteer and ambassador for MyRoom Children’s Cancer […]

What is the key to greener sports that isn't green, or sport washed actions? Let's re-imagine how sport can truly play a role towards a better sustainable future. Through a captivating blend of a panel Q&A, thought-provoking discussions, and interactive activities we will explore the power of sport to action climate change and help the land we live on flourish. Sport organisations confront growing challenges and threats to the natural environment, that pose as a risk to how we play sport today. Responses require changes or modifications to organisational DNA and how sport operates. Some sports organizations are responding to this call for action by increasing their climate adaptability, action and implementing environmental sustainability practices. The central question is how does the sport organisation improve its relationship with the natural environment? In this live exploration, a mixed panel of industry and academic keynotes will share their insight and journey of environmental sustainability and will analyse foundations and strategies of organisational change —including some of the biggest, most difficult and pressing roadblocks and challenges. Following our speakers, we invite you to join us in an engaging discussion about your own journeys, contribute your insights, share your experiences, and be part of […]

Navigating the world of finance, credit and debt has become a normalised and unavoidable feature of young people’s lives. Financial technologies (fintech) represent a significant shift in the economic landscape, and the rapid pace of their development has outstripped both research and regulatory efforts. While some of the regulatory challenges posed by fintech have been mapped out, little is known about how people engage with fintech, including the specific financial information that they access and how fintech shapes their financial practices and sense of wellbeing. Digitisation is changing how everyday finances and services are organised and experienced. Buy now pay later (BNPL) services have changed modes of payment and (mis)understandings of debt, but also opened young people to be able to engage with financial instruments easily. Share trading apps such as Raiz and Robinhood, Crypto platforms CoinSpot and Binance, Gambling companies like Sportsbet and bet365 are readily accessible after a few clicks. Algorithms are making decisions about who can access housing or insurance, and these decisions result in the perpetuation of geodemographic, socio-demographic and racial inequalities. Algorithms and artificial intelligence are performing much of the sorting - that is, excluding - of who can and cannot use these products. Social […]

Today's youth face the unprecedented existential threat of climate change. The groundbreaking book, "Posthuman Research Playspaces: Climate Child Imaginaries," co-authored by Dr. David Rousell and Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, explores how children perceive climate change. Drawn from extensive research with Australian children, the book showcases a picture of how children's insights and imaginings can inform our understandings of climate change and its impacts on our current and future lives. The launch includes a panel discussion with intergenerational voices, discussing childhood, education and climate justice. The event is part of the "Wild Hope" exhibition at Design Hub Gallery, urging a shift towards community-led responses to the climate crisis through creativity and imagination. This event is part of Wild Hope: Conversations for a Planetary Commons.

As the 21st century proceeds apace, Australia faces new and old challenges, both domestically and internationally. Managing complex governance issues, preventing democratic fracture, balancing an ever-shifting geo-political strategic order, addressing the recognition and identity demands of marginalised groups, and responding to crises such as pandemics and climate change are among the most urgent of them. These challenges are, of course, not exclusive to Australia, being symptomatic instead of a rapidly changing global order. However, their manifestation, and any responses developed to address them, are inevitably shaped by the country’s distinctive history, culture, geography, location, and size. The papers presented in this panel will showcase research that seeks to address some of these challenges. The panel features a selection of researchers who have contributed to a forthcoming book under contract with Routledge that is co-edited by Dr Matteo Bonotti and Dr Narelle Miragliotta from Monash University.

This forum is held in conjunction with our partner organisation the Department for Child Protection. The message this year for National Child Protection Week (3-9 September) is that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ and will be complemented with the theme ‘Where we start matters’. Our expert panel of speakers will present around their work in this area on a wide range of topics from babies, children, mothers and support programs. OUR SPEAKERS Dr Prue McEvoy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist: Lead Psychiatric Director, Department for Child Protection on Child Maltreatment: the obstacle to children getting a fair go Brad Morgan, Director, Emerging Minds on Early Support, early in life: Mental health as a foundation for lifelong development Dr Alisa Willis, Head of Impact, Growth and Innovation, Junction Australia on Growing Together Gemma Crisp, Lead Clinician – Speech Pathologist, Therapeutic Carer Support Team. Department for Child Protection on Identifying children in care who are at risk of disability or developmental delay - living in rural and remote South Australia Dr Carmela Bastian, Senior Lecturer, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University on Safety and wellbeing of children in the context of women’s shelters A/Professor Yvonne Clark, Senior Research […]

Women and girls face abuse, exploitation and threats of violence in a wide range of online spaces. Safety by Design puts women’s safety at the heart of digital technologies, preventing harm before it occurs and holding perpetrators to account. Join in a conversation envisioning a world of online safety and network with the eSafety Commissioner,Julie Inman-Grant, Swinburne researchers and Swinburne partner organisations working to end all forms of violence against women and children. The event will be hosted by: Dr Rachael Burgin, Senior Lecturer in School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship and CEO of Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy (RASARA) Professor Kay Cook, Associate Dean of Research in the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education Event highlights The event will commence with a keynote speech delivered by eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant. This will be followed by an engaging panel discussion involving Swinburne researchers and collaborating partner organisations Networking drinks and canapés About the speaker Julie Inman Grant is Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. In this role, Julie leads the world’s first government regulatory agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online. Julie has extensive experience in the non-profit and government sectors and spent two decades working in senior public policy and safety roles […]

Presented by Conversation at the Crossroads in association with the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney. The Palestinian catastrophe, known as the Nakba, refers to the devastation of the Palestinian homeland in 1948, and with it the displacement of the majority of Palestinian Arabs. The Catastrophe did not end in 1948. 75 years later Palestinian lands remain under occupation. As the dramatic use of military force in recent weeks shows, violence, discrimination and displacement remain the lot of the Palestinians. What is a principled response? Which way for a just peace? What constructive initiatives can Australia and other governments take? What of the UN? Is civil society everywhere ready to assume its responsibilities? The peace of the region and the world beyond hangs in the balance. Keynote Address: The Hon Bob Carr, former Foreign Minister for Australia and NSW’s longest continuously serving premier, is Industry Professor (Business and Climate Change) at University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He previously headed the Australia-China Relations Institute at UTS as Director and Professor of International Relations. Professor Carr is Honorary Professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University; recipient of the RSIS Distinguished Visiting Fellowship from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and the Fulbright Distinguished […]

Who says adventures in therapy are only for the young? Social worker and occupational therapist Unda Avota from Adventure Therapy Latvia proved otherwise in her recent work involving horseback riding, boating, hiking, and ropes courses with senior populations. This workshop will examine some of the lessons learned from working with older people in the outdoors. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paddleboarding-in-your-90s-outdoor-therapy-with-older-people-tickets-695935510847?aff=oddtdtcreator

The 2023 Paul Bourke Lecture presented by Dr Sophie Webber, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney. Climate change is increasingly conceptualised in financial terms. In policy and politics, climate change is viewed as a problem of bridging ‘financing’ gaps between the anticipated costs of climate change and available public and private finance, between developed and developing countries, and between mitigation and adaptation activities. These categorisations tend to frame climate finance as a neutral and technical tool for meeting shared goals for responding to climate change. In this presentation, hear an alternative geographical perspective that is focused on how the ideas, instruments and institutions of climate finance are reshaping the relationships between our economies and climate change. Illustrated with examples of adaptation finance from the Asia-Pacific region, I outline different configurations of climate finance and demonstrate their potentials for more democratic and just climate futures. Plus Q&A, followed by a cocktail reception. Dr Sophie Webber is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Geography in the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney and a winner of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia's Paul Bourke Award for Early Career Research. Presented in partnership with the Academy […]

A Social Sciences Week special event Tuesday 5 September, 6.00 – 9.00pm AEST National Library of Australia Join us for a lively evening of discussion and debate at the National Library of Australia (NLA) in Canberra as we explore the power of sport to bring us together, or push us apart, alongside a matched exhibition at the NLA. Our esteemed speakers are Academy Fellows and published authors, The Hon Andrew Leigh MP and Emeritus Professor David Rowe who will take the stage to explore this fascinating theme alongside Seriously Social podcast host and journalist Ginger Gorman who will moderate the debate. The Great Sports Debate promises to be a thought-provoking and entertaining event, with opportunities for audience participation and engagement. Ticket includes access to the National Library of Australia's exhibition Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation, drinks and canapes followed by the debate at 7pm, followed by Q&A. Proudly brought to you by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the National Library of Australia, with support from Synergy Group. We are delighted to announce that a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales to the Great Debate will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation charity in support of Indigenous […]

University of Tasmania researchers and students take the burning issues in the Social Sciences direct to members of the Tasmanian Parliament. Hosted by Professor Kate Darian-Smith, FASSA, (Executive Dean – College of Arts, Law and Education) with Professor Ian Anderson, FASSA, (Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic).

This presentation will cover recent research from a team of international adventure therapy practitioners focused on pathways into adventure and outdoor therapy. The large scale study found interesting patterns and areas for future research and focus, which were put to the test over the past year as adventure therapy scholars travelled internationally to visit universities in attempts to bring adventure to higher education. Attendees will discuss implications for future adventure therapy education and professional development. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/scanning-adventure-therapy-education-professionalism-and-practice-tickets-695942662237?aff=oddtdtcreator

Policymakers confront growing challenges in areas as diverse—and often interrelated—as climate change, social inequality, artificial intelligence, work, migration, declining biodiversity, and new threats to public health. Responses require changes or modifications to deeply entrenched social and economic structures. Consequently, reform attempts often generate conflict and resistance from those with a real or perceived interest in those structures. How can such conflict be managed to deliver urgently needed reforms? This question is central to social scientists, whose work is vital to both the implementation of effective policy, and to understanding the societal implications of policy choices. A panel of six leading social scientists will analyse foundations and strategies of policy change in their areas of expertise—including some of the biggest, most difficult and pressing global and national challenges. This panel will highlight the breadth, diversity, and interrelationships within and between, social scientific and other disciplines, and their central importance to addressing these challenges. Each panellist will address three thematic questions: What is the central conflict or problem inherent to their research topic? How can this be managed or overcome? What skills or insights enable social science to make a difference to public policy—and debate thereof—in their research field? Panel presentations will […]

CHASS President in conversation with Marg Rogers, one of the 2022 CHASS Distinctive Works Prize winners: Dr Marg Rogers is a Senior Lecturer in the Early Childhood Education team within the School of Education at the University of New England. Marg researches marginalised voices within families and education especially in regional, rural and remote communities. Specifically, she researches ways to support the wellbeing of military, first responder and remote worker families and early childhood educators. Marg is a Postdoctoral Fellow within the Commonwealth Funded Manna Institute that builds place-based research capacity to improve mental health in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Building Research-based Co-designed and Co-created Supports to Improve the Wellbeing of Young Children from Service Families Australia has over 650,000 First Responders, plus volunteers attending to more extreme and frequent climate emergencies, terrorism, and health emergencies. Additionally, Australia has 60,000 full time Defence personnel and over 496,000 Veterans. The children of these service personnel are affected by the stressors of service family life, including frequent and prolonged parental deployments and frequent relocations. Additionally, the children can experience the secondary transfer of trauma if their parent has a service-related injury of mental health conditions. The literature reveals these children are […]

Have you ever wondered what is the real connection between you – an individual – and global climate change? You are not alone. As students, educators, office managers, researchers, lab specialists, and other workers, it is common to be confused about often complicated climate-related policy language, science, geo-engineering, and various movements, even when we are committed to the green lifestyle and environmental values. If you often wonder what the connection is between the individual and global and how can we interpret and understand often convoluted climate-related language, science, and policy, join us for a roundtable on September 6th. We will discuss climate policymaking and politics in Australia and beyond and, more importantly, the panelists will share their personal experiences and reflections on the role of ordinary individuals and the global picture of climate change. In the indefinite universe, the “pale blue dot” might seem to be of no particular interest, but as Carl Sagan said: “for us, it is different; It is us. It is home.” Date: Wednesday 6 September Time: 11am-12pm Format: Hybrid Venue: Law Theatre G02 Panelists: Dr Dhanasree Jayaram, Manipal Department of Geopolitics and International Relations Saniya Karimova, UNSW Alumna, Master of Development Studies Dr Deborah Barros […]

The Centre for Urban Research is pleased to host the launch of Mike Berry's new book A Theory of Housing Provision under Capitalism as part of Social Science Week 2023. The launch will feature a presentation by the author followed by a panel discussion with RMIT housing experts. About the book Housing is in the daily headlines as the governments struggle to respond to failures in rental and home ownership markets. The housing crisis has raised critical questions about the role of housing in capitalist societies. In his new book A Theory of Housing Provision under Capitalism, Professor Mike Berry offers the first coherent Marxist analysis of the central importance of housing in the social reproduction of capitalism as a whole. Berry argues that the circulation of capital and revenues though housing and the built environment helps explain how the capital-labour relation constrains housing outcomes while also being reproduced on an extended scale. He shows how housing is provided by the intervention of building, property and interest-bearing capital fractions; how the land question can be explained by a theory of urban land rent, drawing on Marx's categories of differential and monopoly rent; how housing is vital to the extended reproduction […]

A workshop for school staff and researchers, presented by The Australian Sociological Association (Sociology of Education Thematic Group) What kinds of social research is of benefit to schools? How can schools make room for research? How can researchers co-design projects with schools to achieve common goals? How can researchers manage institutional barriers, e.g. onerous approvals processes, financial constraints, and time constraints? Social scientists working on education have always worked productively with schools. However, that is becoming increasingly difficult because of the pressures facing both schools and the research sector. The aim of this workshop is to bring together researchers and school staff to share ideas and experiences, in order to increase understanding and create possibilities for new ways of working together. Participating researchers work on issues including: Educational inequality Cultural diversity and schooling Impacts of Covid on schooling Selective schools and educational segregation Transitions to post-school life Our panel includes: Cathy Wilton, Principal, Yennora Public School Sarah Loch, Research Director, Pymble Ladies College Kimberley Pressick-Kilborn, Research Director, Trinity Grammar College Eliza Buckley, Youth and Community Services Manager, 3 Bridges Community Centre Dr Quentin Maire, University of Melbourne

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) write a lesson plan for a new teacher? What about a script for a hit TV show? Can we use it for images, design, and more? This Swinburne-led panel brings together three experts from education, screenwriting, and design to take a closer look at AI-generated outputs. Join us for an online event where we analyse and discuss AI and its impact on our work in education, writing, and design. Mark your calendars for Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 3pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) and don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Discover how AI is impacting how we do our jobs. Our expert panellists will share their insights, experiences, and analysis of what AI can produce in their field. If you're curious about AI and its ability (and limitations) to work with us and for us, this event is for you! Our expert panel: Associate Professor Damien Lyons Damien Lyons has teaching experience from Foundation through to Year Six, most recently as a Teaching and Learning Coach. He has held a range of leadership positions within primary schools, provided professional development to teachers within Australia and internationally, and contributed to policy within […]

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) write a lesson plan for a new teacher? What about a script for a hit TV show? Can we use it for images, design, and more? This Swinburne-led panel brings together three experts from education, screenwriting, and design to take a closer look at AI-generated outputs. Join us for an online event where we analyse and discuss AI and its impact on our work in education, writing, and design. Mark your calendars for Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 3pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) and don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Discover how AI is impacting how we do our jobs. Our expert panellists will share their insights, experiences, and analysis of what AI can produce in their field. If you're curious about AI and its ability (and limitations) to work with us and for us, this event is for you! Our expert panel: Associate Professor Damien Lyons Damien Lyons has teaching experience from Foundation through to Year Six, most recently as a Teaching and Learning Coach. He has held a range of leadership positions within primary schools, provided professional development to teachers within Australia and internationally, and contributed to policy within […]

This presentation from Professor Paul Flatau (Director, Centre for Social Impact, University of Western Australia) will examine trends in the distribution of income and wealth in Australia including by high net wealth and ultra-high net wealth individuals and philanthropic giving of Australians and the potential for giving to rise to achieve positive social impact. The presentation will explore the rate of tax-deductible donations in Australia, and giving among the wealthiest Australians. Overall, Australia is one of the world’s richest nations, and the wealthiest Australians are currently experiencing unprecedented growth in their fortunes. However, Australia’s giving record remains relatively low compared with other wealthy countries. There is untapped potential that exists to better fund the not-for-profit sector. The  presentation is organised by the Economic Society of Australia (Western Australia)

This lecture offers a critical examination of an ideology - one that has come to be known as Neoreaction (NRx) or, more ominously, The Dark Enlightenment - which has taken hold amongst an influential fraction of the global superrich who have made their money through investments in digital technologies. It is an ideology that holds that democracy is now a fetter of technological progress and needs to be replaced with a new political system that splits the world into a patchwork of competing territories (‘Gov-Corps’), each headed by a CEO or a monarch. Citizens would no longer have any ‘voice’ but would be free to ‘exit’ from any regime that they found to be unaligned with their preferences; there would be a free market in modes of governance. The paper examines the activities and investments of tech entrepreneurs such as Peter Thiel and Patri Friedman who are widely identified as prime movers in the development of NRx ideas. It also considers the influence of alt-right thinkers such as Nick Land and Curtis Yarvin who are often credited with providing a philosophical basis for the position. The lecture concludes that the ideology is one that operates largely without the traditional infrastructures […]

The 16th Annual E.L. ‘Ted’ Wheelwright Memorial Lecture The annual E.L. ‘Ted’ Wheelwright Memorial Lecture is held to commemorate the pioneering role that Ted Wheelwright played in developing studies in Political Economy in Australia. Not Going Away: First People and the Australian Economy Speaker: Professor Heidi Norman Over the last 50 years there has commenced a land titling revolution. Indigenous peoples have recognised land interests over more than half the continent, nearly four million square kilometres, with more under claim. Estimates suggests that Indigenous peoples hold exclusive possession native title and fee simple to around 26% of Australia’s landmass. When non-exclusive native title is included, that number rises to 54% of the country covering National parks, conservation areas, and vast expanses of the continent. The Aboriginal land estate is critical in the response to climate change and the energy transition currently underway will transform land-use patterns across many parts of regional Australia. While the risk of exclusion for Indigenous peoples is significant, opportunities that will come with meaningful participation are enormous. My research shows that Indigenous land holders want to address climate change in ways that support their ambitions to generate prosperity and rebuild nations and economies that align with Indigenous values. […]

Join us for this special event, featuring the Paul Bourke Award Winner for Early Career Research, Dr Harry Hobbs as he explores modern treaty-making between Indigenous peoples and governments in Australia. This event will add context to the upcoming referendum, and allow the audience to question whether Australia should go down the treaty path; a path that could lead to political settlements that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and address the injustices at the heart of the Australian state. Please submit your questions prior to event at events@uts.edu.au Wed 6th Sep 2023, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm AEST UTS Great Hall

Fresh moving water, good food, laughter, and a sense of community. This is exactly what Jen Rees brings to her work with Flow Outdoors. In this interactive presentation, Jen’s friends Doug Moczynski and Will Dobud facilitate a Q&A with Jen to learn more about her approach to fostering connectivity with the adventurous women she gets to paddle with. Attendees are provided ideas for adventure-based planning that gets the most from individuals and groups in wild places. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/women-on-water-wow-with-jen-rees-founder-of-flow-outdoors-tickets-695948579937?aff=oddtdtcreator

'digging up my place of birth … digging up our Mother Earth … now she has been cut … now she has bled … red...' – Robbie Bundle, 2014 Universal Ark Album 'to follow the Old Way' panel will explore the inextricable connectivity between Aboriginal belonging in Country and Ancestral obligation and responsibility in the stewardship of Country, comprising moornong meerreeng (sky country), meerteeyt meerreeng (sea country) ba meerreeng meerreeng (earth country). The Panel contributors will speak to the resonance of interconnected Being, seeking healing for all Kin. It is an appeal to humanity and a gentle reminder that Indigenous patience has ‘worn thin’ and that listening and learning from Aboriginal Ancestral, cultural and ecological knowledges is imperative in this time of climate and ecological crisis. It is an introduction to potentiality, a possible global manifesto, an ontological journey of discovery towards an urgent planetary commons – in perpetuity, in futurity, for our children’s children’s children. Image: Daryn McKenny – Whale Carer & Aboriginal Drone Pilot Please let us know of any accessibility requirements in your booking.

Lamisse Hamouda | Lana Tatour In 2018 Egyptian-Australian writer Lamisse Hamouda had moved to Egypt to study when her life was turned upside down. Her father Hazem, on his way to visit her, was arrested by authorities, accused of sympathising with a terrorist organisation, and sent to prison without charge or evidence for 433 days. In an intimate evening of conversation with UNSW Middle East expert Lana Tatour, delve into Lamisse's new book The Shape of Dust, and her experience fighting against the Egyptian prison system as an Australian citizen. Together they’ll unpack what support the Australian Government provides dual citizens abroad (surprisingly minimal), what cultural identity means for individuals stuck between two cultural worlds, and how trauma can fragment memory and bring unexpected challenges to the writing process. This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas. 

Smart meets silly in The Peer Revue, where cutting-edge research fuels improv comedy. Each show features a different superstar researcher who tells stories from their research, which inspire a cast of talented improvisers to create brand new, unscripted comedy. The Peer Revue is a hilarious celebration of social sciences and all things academic. You’ll laugh, and you also might learn. Why our young adults are getting a raw deal | The Peer Revue Improv Comedy If you listen to the media, young people should just pull their socks up and cut back on the avocado toast and oat milk lattes. Then they'll be able to afford the three-bedroom suburban dream, just like their parents’ generation. Is any of this true, or have the ‘Millennials’ and ‘Gen Z’ been sold a lie? Find out with our guest Professor Dan Woodman. Dan is a sociologist of young adulthood and generations at the University of Melbourne, President of the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, and an Editor in Chief of the Journal of Youth Studies. This special Peer Revue show is part of Social Sciences Week and presented in conjunction with the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

This presentation from Professor Paul Flatau (Director, Centre for Social Impact, University of Western Australia) will examine trends in the distribution of income and wealth in Australia including by high net wealth and ultra-high net wealth individuals and philanthropic giving of Australians and the potential for giving to rise to achieve positive social impact. The presentation will explore the rate of tax-deductible donations in Australia, and giving among the wealthiest Australians. Overall, Australia is one of the world’s richest nations, and the wealthiest Australians are currently experiencing unprecedented growth in their fortunes. However, Australia’s giving record remains relatively low compared with other wealthy countries. There is untapped potential that exists to better fund the not-for-profit sector. The  presentation is organised by the Economic Society of Australia (Western Australia)

Since 2010, we’ve experienced a 40% increase in youth mental health diagnoses. In that same decade, prescriptions of psychiatric medications increased by 50%. With suicide becoming the number one cause of death for young people today and half of the population now predicted to experience a mental disorder during their adolescence, this crisis should be a central concern in western society. Dr Dobud and Professor Harper sought to find answers as to what is driving this reality, and they asked the experts – the therapists, educators, doctors, scientists, and parenting experts – what can we do to improve youth wellbeing? Leaning on their 50 years of collective experience working with at-risk youth, this presentation explores the preliminary lessons learnt from talking to an international cohort of experts in parenting, mental health, and youth development. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-these-days-harnessing-the-heroism-of-youth-tickets-695951749417?aff=oddtdtcreator

A symposium co-convened by Informit and CAVAL on how we describe, apply, and amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander publications. You're invited to Kummargii Yulendji, a 1-day Symposium co-convened by Informit and CAVAL. Kummargii Yulendji Symposium is an opportunity for representatives of the publishing, research, library and information industries, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, to come together to identify issues and share insights on the aggregation and description of Indigenous research outputs. Informit and CAVAL will convene presenters and facilitators who are leading initiatives in these areas. We envisage that Kummargii Yulendji will offer a space of convergence for key contributors to bring specialist knowledge and actively engage in discussions. Keynote speakers: Professor Gary Thomas, RMIT Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous Education, Research and Engagement Assistant Professor Stacy Allison-Cassin, School of Information Management, Dalhousie University. RSVP by: Tuesday 5 September at 5pm.

Disinformation is nothing new in cities globally, with a long history of concerted fabrications that are deliberately misleading from anti-Semitic campaigns to 9/11 conspiracies. During the past decade disinformation has exploded in both prevalence and impact. In the city realm, those responsible for urban governance – both elected representatives and city officials – are increasingly faced with the consequences of concerted disinformation campaigns. These erode city capacity to address collective challenges including climate change, public health, and social cohesion. This panel will present differing perspectives and experiences of disinformation as a far-reaching issue facing cities across Australia, and across the globe.

Join us on Thursday 7th September 2023 for this month's TASA Thursday Webinar titled: The Voice With the upcoming referendum on The Voice looming, many people have had difficulties discussing or forming their position on the issue. Either way, it takes good leadership to able to explain why an individual is in support or against The Voice. This session will explore some of the misconceptions which are being heard out in the community and where you can find reputable information. EVENT DETAILS Date: Thursday 7 September 2023 Time: 12:00PM- 13:00PM (AEST) Format: Zoom Webinar: Click the details below to join the session https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83899702072?pwd=NWdwRHQxcVhtWTN2Z2hqaWszVFROZz09 Meeting ID: 838 9970 2072 Passcode: 744461 YOUR PRESENTERS Joann Schmider Indigenous Portfolio Leader, The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Dan Woodman Immediate Past President The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Kenny Bedford Indigenous Engagement Lead Yes23

Empirical research methods have a growing presence in legal research. These include making the case for reforms, investigating law in action, and evaluating the impact of interventions. The appetite for empirical findings is also strong: scholars, research partners, funders and graduate research students are all keen to bring empirical methods to bear on important questions about law and its operation. Still, methodological expertise is in short supply in law schools, and there are many barriers to high-quality empirical legal research. Are these the perfect conditions for a credibility crisis? In this webinar, Dr Jason Chin (College of Law, Australian National University) will tackle the pressing problem of the credibility crisis affecting empirical legal research and what can be done to address it, including: the prevalence and effects of questionable research practices in social science; the challenges with peer review of empirical work in law and uptake of reforms to improve it; the heightened duty of those conducting research that informs legal processes and reforms (as opposed to more theoretical research); and the importance of transparency in reducing questionable research practices.

Co-design and co-production are commonly used terms in the social sciences. The concept of involving people with lived experience as equal collaborators in identifying issues that impact on their lives and designing solutions is a powerful one. However, for some people with lived experience of disability, there is a sense that consultation is sometimes mislabelled as co-design. This panel discussion will explore perceptions of what true co-design is, and examine the enablers and barriers to co-design in the disability sector. Our panel will include Zane McKenzie, Client Partnership Lead and Disability Workstream Lead from Scope Aust. Ltd., Dr Paul Ramcharan, senior researcher in disability inclusion from the University of Melbourne School of Social and Political Sciences and Rusty Benson, a Social Design specialist. The panel discussion will be facilitated by Professor Keith McVilly, Professor of Disability and Inclusion at the University of Melbourne.

Please join us on Thursday 7 September, as part of Social Sciences Week, for the launch of this ground-breaking new study on community truth-telling. ABOUT The Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation is proud to launch the new report, ‘Recognising community truth-telling: An exploration of local truth-telling in Australia’. This report is based on a unique collaborative study with Reconciliation Australia documenting grassroots community truth-telling in Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have long called for truth-telling about the colonial past, most recently in the 2017 Uluru Statement. Numerous community projects have emerged to engage with these historical truths. However, few of these initiatives have been documented. The report seeks to highlight this important community work as it provides crucial lessons for how the vision of truth-telling can be realised. The study demonstrates the immense perseverance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in undertaking truth-telling, often with limited resources and support. This community work has had a significant impact in shifting the national narrative about Australia’s colonial history. However, there is much more work to be done to support truth-telling in Australia. This panel discussion will be opened by Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine and will feature […]

The movement for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has grown larger since the National First Nations Constitutional Convention at Uluru in 2017, where Indigenous delegates drafted and signed the ‘Uluru Statement From the Heart’. The Statement called for Voice, Treaty and Truth, which was endorsed by the Referendum Council. Australians will vote at a referendum this year to decide whether to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a Voice to Parliament. In Australia’s history, 44 changes to the Constitution have been proposed, with 8 changes being agreed to by the public. In 1967, the question to change the Constitution to count Indigenous people in the national population and to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for them had bipartisan support and was met with a 90.77% yes vote. But today, parties are split on the issue of voice and are running opposing campaigns. If the referendum is successful, a new constitutionally enshrined body will be established to represent Indigenous Australians’ views on policy and legislation at the federal level. This webinar, hosted by the Australian Political Studies Association, will feature three prominent scholars to help us understand the implications this referendum has for democracy, governance, and Indigenous-settler relations […]

Social innovation has become a key theme of recent discussions about the most effective ways of responding to complex health, social and economic problems in cities. Yet much of this discussion emphasises techniques and processes of innovation at the relative expense of more sophisticated understandings of the social. This talk explores how the social sciences may contribute more effectively to discussions of social innovation praxis in Australia by contributing key insights into the ways innovations transform the socius. I emphasise ideas of place, counter/publics and atmospheres to explore the ways social innovation may support more ‘liveable lives’ in Australian cities. About the speaker: Cameron Duff is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Organisations and Social Change in the College of Business and Law at RMIT University in Melbourne. Duff’s recent program of research explores the role of social innovation in responding to complex health and social problems in cities. This is a RMIT Engaging for Impact event and is supported by the RMIT Enabling Impact Platforms, College of Design and Social Context, College of Business and Law, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, and RMIT Culture.

Lobbying and advising the government are part of the democratic process. Sometimes the interests being served are clear, yet at others they are hidden. Sometimes stories are told to make the outcomes desired easier to understand, and more likely, while at others the narrative serves to shroud the real outcomes desired and undermine democratic processes. In this presentation, the cases of consultants advising governments and the OECD on tax avoidance and LGBTQ+ lobbying are used to tease out some of these tensions. In the case of the former, the role of the Big Four (PwC, EY, KPMG and Deloitte) is used to illustrate how interests potentially undermine desirable outcomes. In the case of the latter, lobbyists and lobbying were essential in driving desirable change. Moderator: Professor Gaby Ramia Speakers: Associate Professor John Mikler: John is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Government and International Relations. He researches corporations' relations with states, civil society and international organisations, as well as how they are political actors in their own right. His recent books include The Political Power of Global Corporations (Polity 2018); MNCs in Global Politics: Pathways of Influence (co-edited with Karsten Ronit, Edward Elgar 2020); and Capitalism for All: Realising its Liberal […]

Join us as our researchers and presenters do 5-minute speed presentations with exciting prizes for the best presentation (3-4:30). Enjoy networking, snacks, and drinks afterward (4:30 onwards). The Sexualities and Genders Research (SaGR) showcase is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested from academia, the community or industry, to come together and celebrate the diverse and impactful work being done in the fields of genders and/or sexualities research. Join us and celebrate the vibrancy of SaGR research as researchers across the university, including our academics, research partners, MRes and PhD students ‘speed present’ their ideas, and we collectively explore the frontiers of nderstanding and embracing diverse work in genders, sexualities, and feminism. All welcome, and it is free. Enjoy networking, snacks, and drinks afterward :)

Digital literacy for children is complex; even for our youngest children. The ability to use a range of digital technologies, to critically engage with those technologies, and the texts they offer is important. But so too is developing children’s capacities to react and respond to the digital culture within which they operate. Consider the scenarios; While playing an online game, a child is invited to network with an unfamiliar person. While researching for a school project, a child comes across inaccurate information. A photo is shared via social media; the child has not consented for it to be shared and becomes annoyed when they see it. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives the panel will consider the scenarios as they work to embrace the fluidity of the digital age as children use technology in ways that are developmentally and contextually appropriate, literacy rich, and safe. When: Thursday, 7 September, 4-5 pm AEST Where: Online via Zoom - Zoom link to join the webinar will be emailed after registration Panellists: Professor Lisa Kervin is Professor of Education in the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wollongong (UOW), where she is also Director of Early Start Research. Associate Professor Jessica Mantei is Deputy Head […]

Deakin Anthropology Seminar Series - Dr Catherine Trundle: "What is heat? Measuring heat and mapping heat stress – an anthropological account." ABSTRACT In a warming world our ability to understand, categorise and identify patterns of heat becomes more pressing. But what is heat, and how are the thresholds between healthy and comfortable heat, and dangerous, uncomfortable heat constituted? In this talk I’ll explore the metrics used globally, nationally, and locally to determine heat stress and the risks heat poses to human health. Heat, I will argue, emerges as a variegated object—and one of increasing political and social attention—through a wide range of epistemic practices. These range from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) metrics for communicating certainty in climate science, to the WBGT (wet-bulb globe temperature) index, from hospital admission statistics in the Northern Territory, to global thermal comfort metrics. They include the Victorian heatwave warning system, WorkSafe Victoria workplace protocols, the thermal imaging of streets in Inner Melbourne, and maps of canopy scarcity in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Heat, I will argue, is becoming both more certain and more knowable. At the same time, these diverse metrics open and foreclose opportunities to understand the social and political causes of […]

Please join us on Thursday 7 September, as part of Social Sciences Week, for a co-hosted MESF and AIIA panel discussion on Australia’s Relations with the Middle East. Social Sciences Week is an annual event that celebrates and showcases the diverse range of social sciences disciplines and research in Australia. The social sciences are key to understanding humanity, society and the institutions which govern our daily lives. Middle East Studies Forum (MESF) at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI) and the Australian Institute of International Affairs -Vic (AIIA) are delighted to host this discussion panel. ABSTRACT Australia has viewed the Middle East as a region of great cultural, economic, and geopolitical importance. With the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021, Australia concluded two decades of military operations in the Middle East. Yet the region remains important for global peace and security. Concerted efforts by China and Russia to enhance their presence and influence in the Middle East only points to the continued geo-political importance of the region in years to come. Furthermore, increased migration from the region has enriched the social and cultural tapestry of Australian society. Arabic is the third most spoken language in Australia. Trade with the region, particularly with the Gulf […]

Conversations around young people and crisis tend to focus on their vulnerability to social crises, or their culpability for them. For example, young people experience hardships like escalating mental health problems, housing instability, and job precarity. At the same time, they’re deemed responsible for ‘anti-social’ problems and crises like street crime, substance use, and discipline issues in schools. But young people don’t all respond the same way to crisis, and often what’s left out of these conversations are their practices of hope and resistance. How do young people respond to crisis, and what can their response tell us about resilience and agency? In this symposium for Social Science Week 2023, four of UNSW’s best early career academics will explore how young people narrate and practice hope, resistance and agency in differing conditions of crisis and marginalisation Chair: A/Prof Joanne Bryant, School of Social Sciences UNSW Speakers: Dr Sujith Kumar Prankumar, The Kirby Institute UNSW ‘Citizenship, belonging and flourishing’ Dr Ash Watson, Centre for Social Research in Health UNSW ‘Youth resistance in punk, rave and queer music zines’ Dr Naama Carlin, School of Social Sciences UNSW TBA Dr Gabe Caluzzi, UNSW and La Trobe University ‘Hope for young people in residential […]

Body image concerns are unfortunately very common. More than 43 percent of people in Australia are dissatisfied with their physical appearance. Negative body image can lead to extreme dieting, excessive exercise, the pursuit of risky cosmetic surgery, as well as overall poor self-esteem. Body image concerns are also one of the strongest risk factors for the development of eating disorders, which impact more than 1 million Australians of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Unfortunately, less than one in four people ever receive treatment. Monash University’s Associate Professor Gemma Sharp will speak on her innovative strategies to use the latest technology to address body image concerns and eating disorders. This includes her pioneering use of conversational artificial intelligence to provide thousands of people with the help they need to feel better about their bodies. She will also share how our mobile phones can be a useful tool to both ‘sense’ when we are experiencing body image distress from our app usage, and deliver highly personalised support whenever and wherever we need it - essentially personalised medicine delivered through your phone. About the Speaker Associate Professor Gemma Sharp is a National Health and Medical Research Foundation Emerging Leadership Fellow at Monash University, and Research […]

Each year in Australia, approximately 140,000 diagnostic errors occur, resulting in estimated 21,000 serious injuries and between 2,000 to 4,000 deaths. Communication is a contributing factor in up to 80% of diagnostic errors. Misdiagnosis is potentially worse for women, who often feel unheard or dismissed in the clinical setting. Lost in Diagnosis brings together patients, doctors, and health communication experts for an immersive and interactive discussion on the challenges women face when seeking diagnosis and the importance of communication in the diagnostic encounter. Combining personal experience with medical insight and health advocacy, our diverse panel will delve into these diagnostic difficulties, including dismissed pelvic pain and undetected heart disease. Panel discussion Moderated by Dr Amy Coopes, Canberra-based doctor, writer and editor at Croakey Health Media Darlene Cox, Executive Director of Health Care Consumers Association Inc. Jen Morris, Patient Safety Advocate Dr Marisa Magiros, General Practitioner and medical educator, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Dr Arnagretta Hunter, cardiologist and Human Futures Fellow, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University Dr Mary Dahm, ARC DECRA Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Communication in Health Care (ICH) at the Australian National University Wellspring: Enquiry and Exchange Bringing campus to […]

What might a postcolonial nation look like in Australia, and what is the place of the Voice Referendum in that process? What is the role of multicultural communities in the Referendum? What is at stake for multicultural communities in building a postcolonial future free of racism? Just over half of Australians were born overseas or have one migrant parent, and nearly a quarter speak a language other than English at home. Multicultural communities will be crucial to the Referendum. This event takes up the question of both diverse communities and support for the Voice Referendum, as well as the longer-term efforts around treaty and reconciliation. Light snacks from 6pm, for a 6.30pm start. This is the 2023 UTS Andrew Jakubowicz Annual Lecture SPEAKERS Professor Heidi Norman Associate Dean Indigenous, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney. Heidi is a scholar of Aboriginal politics and history, and Gomeroi descendant. Michelle Deshong Managing Director, Deshong Consulting. Michelle has worked in fields of gender equity, leadership, governance and political science. She is Co-Chair of Supply Nation and member of the AIATSIS Council. Michelle draws connection to the Kuku Yulanji Nation. Craig Foster AM Member of the Australian Multicultural Council and […]

For many, outdoor therapy approaches focus on scaling the most dangerous climb, summiting the largest mountain, or surviving on little means in remote settings. What if there is another way to make the outdoors count through emotional safety and inclusivity? Tanya Ginwala is a psychologist, outdoor facilitator, and adventure and nature-based therapist. In this presentation, Tanya brings her passion for facilitating therapeutic nature connection and adventure experiences that focus on physical, social and emotional safety. Her practice is informed by narrative therapy, applied Mahayana Buddhism, somatic trauma healing approaches and the field of experiential and outdoor education. Tanya is the India representative in the International Adventure Therapy Committee. In her free time, Tanya enjoys spending time in the pine forests by her home in Dharamshala with her dog Ziggy, reading, napping in the sun and discovering new music. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/fostering-inclusivity-outdoors-through-emotional-safety-w-tanya-ginwala-tickets-695975500457?aff=oddtdtcreator

The 2023 Plimsoll Lecture by Australian economist, and political prisoner Dr Sean Turnell. Even before Sean Turnell spent 650 days of wrongful imprisonment in Myanmar, his story was remarkable. From humble working-class beginnings in the suburbs of Sydney, Sean followed his humanitarian heart and become a world-class expert on the Burmese economy, believing that the right economic policies could provide prosperity for its suffering people. It was this reputation and philosophy that led him to becoming the economic advisor of Myanmar’s democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Three days after Suu Kyi was deposed in a military coup and arrested, Sean was placed in solitary confinement by armed military police under fabricated charges. During his long imprisonment in Myanmar, friends, fellow economists, institutions, and governments from around the world rallied together in a remarkable campaign for his release. Join Dr Sean Turnell for the 2023 Plimsoll lecture, and listen to his extraordinary story of hope, resilience, and the power of friends. What unfolds in this conversation will be more than just personal reflections, but also deep insights into the dynamics of international relations, the role of civil society, and the power of unity in promoting democratic values worldwide.

Sam Koslowski | Zara Seidler The way we consume news is changing and traditional media is struggling to keep up with our forever online lifestyles. The Daily Aus is changing that – and fast. With unstoppable co-founders Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler at the helm, The Daily Aus has cracked the code on resonating with young people, distilling the big news stories of the day into accessible, bite sized pieces. From fearless journalists to savvy entrepreneurs, witness the rise of a new generation that's leaving a lasting imprint. Join Zara and Sam as they unpack the big business of youth-focused news, and reveal how digital platforms are transforming the news landscape. Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler’s new book No Silly Questions: The Daily Aus explains how the world works (and why you should care) is out on Sept 5. You can pre-order the book here.

RMIT Culture co-presents Social Sciences After Dark: Disturbing Technology, which explores humanity’s deepest anxieties through a horror double bill. This event is the first in the Social Sciences After Dark series, a celebration of the power of film as a window on human society.   First, a story by RMIT alum James Wan: in M3GAN (2022) we meet a grief-stricken girl and the remarkably disturbing doll who becomes her friend. Next, we mark the 40th anniversary of David Cronenberg's classic VIDEODROME (1983), where the disturbing technology is the television signal.   Engage with a panel of diverse social scientists between films for a rousing discussion about our deepest fears of technological change, and the implications for society.    Social Sciences After Dark is a highlight of RMIT’s events marking national Social Sciences Week, convened by the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia.  It is a RMIT Engaging for Impact event and is supported by the RMIT Enabling Impact Platforms, College of Design and Social Context, College of Business and Law, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, and RMIT Culture.   Moderator: Dr Jessica Balanzategui (Media and Communication, RMIT University) Panellists: Assoc/Prof Jordy Kaufman (Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology) Dr Alexia Kannas (Media […]

Part one (35 mins talk; 15 mins Q&A): Presentation: Class in Australia, by Associate Professor Steven Threadgold, University of Newcastle and Associate Professor Jessica Gerrard, University of Melbourne. Part two (approx 30 mins): Panel Q&A: Intersectional perspectives on being (working) classed and in the Australian Academy Panel members: Associate Professor Emma Gavin, Faculty of Education, Monash University Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, School of Engineering, RMIT University Dr Sherene Idriss, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University Dr Sarah Attfield, School of Communication, University of Technology Sydney Dr Gene Flenady, Department of Philosophy, Monash University

What does it mean to provide professional youth work outdoors? Is it simply having fun outside or is there more to it? In this discussion, founder of Gippsland Adventure Therapy, Doug Moczynski, presents on how youth workers can operationalise “professional youth work” - whatever that is - in the outdoors. Doug will discuss physical and emotional safety, how to improve engagement to foster better therapeutic outcomes, and strategies for remaining professionally apt at handling disclosures and other complicating factors. Along with Will, Doug will explore what is considered a professional: does particular education warrant him identifying as one? Are there quantifiable differences in outcomes, safety, accountability? Since 2020, Doug has run a small private practice in Gippsland working alongside the NDIS, child protection, and other community organisations with youth and families. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/professional-youth-work-outdoors-w-doug-moczynski-tickets-695983223557?aff=oddtdtcreator

The WA Migration Update one day conference, now in its 8th year, brings together academia, communities, not-for-profits, the private sector and government, to share experiences and research on migration and settlement, and improve understandings of these critical contemporary issues. This is an important year for migration and multiculturalism. Our theme, 'Beyond Racism', recognises migrant experiences of racism, as well as programs building inclusion and resilience. This year the focus is on the recent government reviews of Australia's multiculturalism framework, and migration policies, as well as hearing the latest Scanlon social cohesion survey results. The program explores the following questions: To what extent are Australia's migration and settlement systems inclusive? What does it mean to move 'beyond racism'? What are migrants' and ethnic minorities' experiences of inclusion and exclusion? How are services and communities challenging racism and promoting inclusion? Sessions include Racism and social cohesion in Australia: trends, challenges and opportunities; the Australian Migration Review; and Australia’s Multiculturalism Framework. As usual we will have a combination of dynamic and informed speakers and panellists from government, community, service provision, business and academia, showcasing their knowledge, policies and experiences.

The Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) group at James Cook University invites Year 9 students to attend the Futures Thinking workshop. Students will meet and engage with social scientists and learn how AI and social sciences impact our everyday lives.

The Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) group at James Cook University invites Year 9 students to attend the Futures Thinking workshop. Students will meet and engage with social scientists and learn how AI and social sciences impact our everyday lives. Artificial Intelligence is everywhere – we talk about it in classrooms, on the news, on social media, and it’s fast becoming part of our everyday lives. But what does AI mean for people and for society? What are the ethical issues involved? Spend a day exploring these questions at JCU. September 4 to 10 is Social Sciences Week in Australia. The theme for 2023 is Social Sciences are Everywhere. On Friday, 8 September, the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) group at JCU is inviting Year 9 students to come to campus for a day of discussion, activities, and scenario-based learning with social scientists and current social science students from a range of disciplines. The day will include short ‘lightning talks’ from experts in a range of social science disciplines, interactive ‘beat the bot’ sessions to apply a critical lens to AI, and small group activities to facilitate inquiry skills, ethical thinking, and futures thinking about the impacts of AI on society and […]

The Centre for Social Organisations and Change (COSC) and the Social Equity Research Centre (SERC) at RMIT University invite you to a panel discussion examining contemporary issues fuelling gender inequality as part of Social Sciences Week. Moderated by Professor Lisa French, the panel discussion covers topics ranging from gender gaps in the workforce, career development for women in male-dominated sectors and sexual and family violence against women. The panel features leading scholars: Dr Leonora Risse (COSC), Dr Leila Afshari (COSC), Professor Anastasia Powell (SERC) and Associate Professor Brianna Chesser (SERC). Please join us for a thought-provoking discussion and analysis of gender inequality taking in the social sciences of economics, management and criminology.

Many STEMM leaders have expressed a commitment to overcoming the gender inequality that stubbornly persists across the sector. But do they have the gender competency needed to drive change in their organisations? This free, hybrid face-to-face/online seminar will present recently published findings from RMIT researchers Professor Kay Latham (Dean, STEMM Diversity and Inclusion) and Associate Professor Robyn Barnacle, including much-needed insights into: the competency of STEMM leaders to act as change agents: Do leaders understand the nature and scope of the problem, or are misapprehensions hampering their efforts? what resistance to gender equality looks like in STEMM: What are the behaviours minimising the significance of the problem and reinforcing the status quo? The event will be introduced by Libby Lyons, SAGE Chair and former Director of the Australian Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency. This research draws on detailed data from a qualitative, cross-sectoral study of 20 prominent Australian STEMM leaders, who were asked to examine their perceptions of gender inequality, sexual harassment, sex discrimination and gender bias within their organisations. The presenters will suggest supports needed by leaders to achieve their gender equality commitments, including specific leadership programs, diagnostic tools and strategies for combatting and harnessing resistance. Join us for a […]

In this interactive plenary panel, internationally-recognised RMIT experts present a set of provocations around near-future challenges and opportunities based on the converging impacts of continuous digital disruptions. What should societies look like in 2050? How can we get ahead of the curve when it comes to ethical problems around new tech? How can we be sure emerging technologies serve us as humans rather than the other way around? What focus is needed to centralize social concerns in the push for continuous technological development? Join us for this exciting and provocative discussion to launch RMIT's Society 5.0 Ethics Initiative, in conjunction with Social Science Week 2023. This is an RMIT Engaging for Impact event and is supported by the RMIT Enabling Impact Platforms, College of Design and Social Context, College of Business and Law, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies. Speakers Professor Annette Markham Co-initiator and lead RMIT Professor, Global digital culture and ethics expert Professor Lisa Given Co-initiator and lead RMIT Professor, Global information science and ethics expert Professor Jason Potts Co-initiator RMIT Professor, blockchain and web3 futures expert Professor Julian Thomas Co-initiator RMIT Professor, AI and decision-making expert Professor Karin Verspoor Co-initiator RMIT Professor, Machine learning in health […]

This year’s Social Science Week Ethnographic Film night will feature two short movies: Horror in the Andes and Between Memories by Martha-Cecilia Dietrich. These films present parts of Dietrich’s work in Peru, where, for almost a decade, she has explored the questions of how people create worlds for themselves after violent conflicts and how stories are told about violence and trauma. Horror in the Andes (2020) is a behind-the-scenes documentary that follows the process of making a horror movie in Ayacucho, Peru. In this film, Dietrich explores how Andean filmmakers use the horror genre as a means to revive stories of a pre-colonial past. Appropriating a global cinematic language to tell local (hi)stories, Horror in the Andes pays testament to the craft of filmmaking and its community. Between Memories (2015) is an exploration of the practices of remembering in the shadow of the complex legacies of twenty years of violence and war. In three audio-visual pieces made in collaboration with relatives of the disappeared, insurgents of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) and members of the Armed Forces, this documentary creates an on-screen dialogue between memories, which in practice remains elusive. The screening of the two films will begin at […]

Monash Arts invites you to celebrate the winners of the Social Sciences Week 2023 Photo Essay Competition. This competition is being run by the School of Social Sciences at Monash University to help elevate the voices of young people and to highlight the social justice issues they are most passionate about. The prize winners will be announced during the award ceremony. The Zoom link to attend the ceremony will be shared closer to the date. Panellists: Dr Matteo Bonotti Dr Bill Flanik Georgina Gibson Dr Clair Tanner Dr Elissa Waters This competition is being coordinated by Dr Matteo Bonotti in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University.

Sci Fight Science Comedy Debate brings together comedians and scientists to debate serious issues in a ridiculous way. UOW Science Space Theatre Doors open: 6.30 pm Run time 7:00 pm till 8:30ish Tickets $20 Paid bar service available Proceedings are loosely held together by your definitely qualified host, Alanta Colley. Sci Fight has been described as a nerdy, silly, and only occasionally litigious romp into what it even means to be alive. This round, we debate: should we fear AI? Just this year, AI chatbots have given people instructions on how to build a bomb, told users that they loved them, and instructed one user to leave their spouse and a child to stick nails into a live power socket. Before now you had to go to 4chan for that quality of abuse. Has Silicon Valley simply built a better troll? Programmers are running behind ChatGPT and other AI trying to fix the problems as they arise and yet for every bit of fool proofing they achieve, humanity builds a better fool. Our one saving grace right now? It’s bad at Wordle. But this will surely not be the case for long. Or is AI over hyped? Is our distrust […]

Hosted by The Office of Indigenous Strategy & Engagement and The College of Business, Government & Law This information session provides an opportunity to listen to our panellists discuss key questions such as , ' What is the voice to parliament?' and 'What are the foremost issues and debates?'. Our Speakers include: Welcome: Prof. Simone Tur, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Political aspects: Assoc. Prof. Rob Manwaring, Associate Professor of Politics and Policy Legal aspects: Dr. Rowan Nicholson, Lecturer in Law Process of Adelaide Regional Dialogue: Dwayne Coulthard, member of the Uluru Dialogue, SA Issues and debate: Dr. Jessica Genauer, Senior Lecturer in International Relations

Due to unforeseeable circumstances Academy Fellow Jenny Hocking is unable to appear on Friday night with Peer Revue as planned. But don’t worry, we still have a great night in store this Friday and plans to revisit the Palace Letters with Jenny Hocking at another date. A big welcome to academic superstar, Academy Fellow and RMIT Professor Lisa Given! Lisa will appear with Peer Revue to tell stories and inspire improv comedy from her work on AI and future society. Hang on to your tickets, hold your sides and get ready for a Friday night of fun with Lisa Given and Peer Revue. Artificial Intelligence and Society 5.0 | The Peer Revue Improv Comedy With the rise of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools, society is changing rapidly. How are we to navigate a world of misinformation, data breaches and mass surveillance? With the help of our guest Professor Lisa Given of course! Lisa is an expert in global information science and ethics at RMIT. She’s Co-initator and lead of the Society 5.0 Ethics project. Society 5.0 is “a broad label for the near-future, inseparable interconnection between humans and technologies in the era of artificial intelligence and machine learning. It […]

“2023 Spring Encounters: with(in) place” is series of activities organised by the Alliance for Praxis Research (APR), composed by artists, researchers and PhD candidates from Monash and RMIT. Spring Encounters provides a platform for researchers, activists and artists to connect in a relaxed setting of informal conversations and action. Its purpose is to break the boundaries of disciplines and institutions, creating cracks for open dialogue and the sprouting of ideas. Our program this year will be hosted in different locations across Melbourne. This year, we've designed these gatherings as a means to nurture our connections with place and, simultaneously, to highlight initiatives that are collaboratively shaping communities across Melbourne. From Preston Market to the Catalyst Social Centre, we hope that by the end of this journey, we will be able to entangle relationships, cultivate care, ground ourselves, and reimagine our work and lives with(in) place. 09 September | Make only radical plans Meeting at Bell station | 10 to 12 pm Facilitated by Zheng Chin (APR/Monash University) + TBA Radical planning questions existing power structures to prioritise social justice, sustainability, and community empowerment. By reimagining urban spaces and engaging in social transformation, radical communities seek to create more equitable and […]

Join us for an ocean take over in Wild Hope. Explore the art of Oceans Research and Climate Action Network (ORCA) members Fiona Hillary, Rebecca Olive and Jordan Lacey, who explore oceanic knowing through sound, film and virtual reality. ORCA aims to facilitate ecological exchanges that encourage new possibilities for imagining ways of living with bodies of water, to create a fluid archive of human, more-than-human and oceanic entanglements. Exploring oceans as a global commons, making themselves vulnerable to human-ocean entanglements helps them imagine new relationships and possibilities with multispecies places. Thinking with water through diverse media and in response to a range of aquatic locations, ORCA invites audiences to think about their relationships with the ocean in new, multi-sensory and multimedia ways. In this pop-up event, time-based works explore oceanic knowing through sound, film and virtual reality. No bookings necessary. This event is part of Wild Hope: Conversations for a Planetary Commons.

With a passion to work more collaboratively, Anthroprospective and the Centre for Native Title Anthropology are teaming up to host two engaging events this September during Social Science Week in Melbourne as a way of encouraging social science academics to engage in more authentic dialogue with the broader public. In doing so, we hope that we can create new avenues to promote the applicability and significance of social science to more mainstream audiences. The first event will be held on Saturday September the 9th from 6pm to 9:30pm in Collingwood at 'Collingwood House'. This social networking evening will comprise of two keynote speeches and an engaging Q&A panel centralised around the theme of 'Ethics, Advocacy and Expertise; Anthropology in Australia'. For further information and to book your tickets, please see: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ethics-advocacy-and-expertise-anthropology-in-australia-tickets-645809582847 The second event will be held on Monday September the 11th from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Queens College, The University of Melbourne. In keeping with the theme of 'Ethics, Advocacy and Expertise; Anthropology in Australia', this all-day conference workshop which will provide attendees the opportunity to continue discussions from the previous Saturday night and to delve into a number of stimulating topics from a range of anthropologists. For further information and to register your attendance at this free offering, please see: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ethics-expertise-and-advocacy-one-day-cnta-workshop-tickets-674978086627?aff=erelexpmlt We […]