Challenging Racism Project

The Challenging Racism Project is a highly successful research collective from Western Sydney University which collaborates with academics from Deakin University, Curtin University and the University of Technology Sydney. It has been principally funded by grants from the Australian Research Council and by other government agencies.

Read our latest news

The politicisation of seeking aslyum symposium (recorded event)

The 'Politicisation of Seeking Asylum' symposium was held via webinar on October 28. Speakers included Behrouz Boochani, Omid Tofighian, Alison Mountz, Anne McNevin, Claire Loughnan, Andrew Burridge, Maria Giannocopolous, Julie Macken, Claudia Tazreiter, Philomena Murray and Anthea Vogl.

The event was organised by Rachel Sharples and Linda Briskman, and co-sponsored by the Challenging Racism Project, the Diversity and Human Rights Research Centre and Academics for Refugees.

A recording of the event is available below.

Racism and the media Q&A

Dr Rachel Sharples talks about our research work on racism and the media.  In Q&A with Dr Tanya Notley.

The Geography of Islamophobia - opinion piece by Rhonda Itaoui

"The geography of Islamophobia is a clarion call for those interested in advancing racial justice to interrogate the geography of power and the power of geography in shaping the urban experience and equal access to the public sphere."

Read the opinion piece, The Geography of Islamophobia by CRP member Rhonda Itaoui.

This piece was originally published in the 2017 newsletter of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society.

Legalizing Othering: The United States of Islamophobia

The Challenging Racism Project hosted the Australian launch of the HAAS Institute report on 'Legalizing Othering: The United States of Islamophobia'.

CRPer Rhonda Itaoui, currently on exchnage to the HAAS Institute, presented the report at Western Sydney University, drawing on its relevance to the Australian context.

Read the Legalizing Othering report (opens in a new window).

Find out more about the work of the HAAS Institute (opens in a new window).

The Politics of Australia's Asylum Policy Equilibrium

International scholar Rhonda Evans delivers a guest lecture on the politics of Australia's asympum seeker policy.

When: Wednesday August 9

Where: EE.G.36, Parramatta campus

See the full details for the event here (PDF, 177.83 KB) (opens in a new window)

Hizmet and the Survival of 'Civic Islam' in Contemporary Turkey

Professor Kevin Dunn is in discussion with Professor Scott Alexander on Hizmet and the survival of civic Islam in Turkey.

When: Monday August 7

Where: EA.2.13, Parramatta campus

See the full details for the event here (JPG, 76 KB) (opens in a new window)

Islamophobia Report: Women wearing head scarfs more at risk

Linda Briskman discusses the Islamophobia in Australia Report which was launched at Parliament House on Tuesday.

The report finds that the perpetrators of Islamophobia attacks overwhelmingly target women.

Read the full article.

Read the Islamophobia in Australia report.

Strengthening the test for Australian citizenship submission

We have two key concerns about the Government's proposed changes to the Australian citiznship test. 1). The rationale and lack of evidence for the changes; and 2). The consequences of the new questions likely posed, in both misleading the general public through perpetuating stereotypes and the detrimental impact of such stereotyping on minority groups.

Read our full submission.

Public Attitudes towards Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Polarising language is often used to distinguish "queue jumping" asylum seekers from "genuine" refugees. The findings of an online survey (opens in a new window) of 6001 Australians conducted in July and August 2015 and November 2016 indicate that the artificial binary created by politicians may have an impact on public attitudes toward asylum seeker and refugees in Australia. (opens in a new window)

National survey finds Australians worried about relatives marrying Muslims

Nearly one in three Australians have negative feelings towards Muslim Australians, with 63% saying they would be concerned if a relative married a Muslim, according to a Western Sydney University study commissioned by SBS.

The online survey (opens in a new window) of six thousand residents was undertaken for the SBS documentary, Is Australia Racist? (opens in a new window) See the full press release here. (opens in a new window)

Face Up to Racism: Is Australia Racist?

On the 26th of February the documentary Is Australia Racist?, featuring Professor Kevin Dunn and the work of the Challenging Racism Project team will be aired on SBS at 8.30pm. Watch a preview here:

Face Up to Racism week on SBS (2.55 mins) (opens in a new window)

Did you know that almost 40% of racist incidents occur in public spaces, including on public transport?

The Challenging Racism Project has launched a series of Bystander Anti-Racism videos to help the public speak up and speak out.

The resilience and ordinariness of Australian Muslims

A new Western Sydney University report: The resilience and ordinariness of Australian Muslims (opens in a new window) [PDF, 3607.6 KB] has found Muslims in Sydney face high rates of racism, but the vast majority list relations with non-Muslims as positive, and believe education and employment are more important than international affairs.