Invitation to the Social Sciences and Social Sustainability Seminar

As part of Social Sciences Week 2025, we invite staff, HDRs, and collaborators to participate in a one day symposium exploring the role of the Social Sciences in advancing social sustainability.

The symposium seeks to showcase interdisciplinary research that reflects on how social science theories, methods, and practices contribute to building fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable societies.

• Date: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
• Time: 10am until 5pm
• Venue: Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus (Peter Shergold Building / 1PSQ), Level 9, Conference Rooms 1 & 2, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

The event will have 3 amazing Panel sessions followed by a SaGR workshop:

Panel 1:

Equity of Opportunity and Civic Engagement – showcasing research amplifying Western Sydney youth voices

Panellists:

• Dr Sherene Idriss, Lecturer, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
• Ms Joelle Sassine, Associate Research Fellow & Research Assistant, Whitlam Institute & Centre for Western Sydney
• Dr Melissa Phillips, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences & Acting Director Research and Policy, Whitlam Institute

Panel 2:

Gender Equity and Sustainability in Leisure – promoting scholarly discussion around issues of gender, equity, inclusion, sustainability, migration, labour, and culturally responsive research methodologies in the field of sport and leisure

Panellists:

• A/Prof Helene Joncheray, ICS Visiting Scholar from Paris Cité University, France
• Dr Jennifer Cheng, Lecturer in Sociology, School of Social Sciences, WSU
• Moera Tufunga, Researcher (Female Pasifika Rugby Players and Financial Literacy), School of Social Sciences, WSU

Panel 3:

Destabilising Manhood and Masculinity by Adjunct Professor Bob Pease – drawing upon his recently published book, this presentation outlines problems associated with men, manhood, and masculinity. It critiques alternative masculinities that essentialise men’s bodies, highlights the systemic and structural dimensions of gender privilege, and proposes strategies for men to move beyond binary gender identities and adopt multiple, fluid subjectivities.

This will be an informal and collegial event aimed at generating discussion, building networks, and celebrating the important contribution of the social sciences to sustainable futures.

Please register here to attend and advise of any dietary requirements.(opens in a new window)