Events

Upcoming Events

Each year, Social Sciences Week brings together researchers, students, schools, communities and organisations across Australia to showcase how the social sciences help us understand and shape the world around us. Coordinated by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the national program celebrates the diverse disciplines that explore how people, communities, institutions and societies work, while tackling some of the most important challenges and opportunities of our time.

Here at Western, we are delighted to be part of this national celebration with a vibrant program of events that reflects the breadth and impact of the social sciences. Whether you are interested in social cohesion and democratic participation, gender and sexuality research, policing and criminal justice, or inspiring the next generation of social scientists through our Amazing Race for high school students, there is something for everyone. We look forward to welcoming staff, students, alumni, community members, research partners and those who are simply curious about how the social sciences contribute to stronger communities, better policies and a more inclusive future.

I encourage you to join us, connect with colleagues and community partners, explore new ideas, and discover the many ways social science research helps us understand the challenges we face and imagine the possibilities ahead.

Professor Jason Pandya-Wood
Dean, School of Social Sciences
Western Sydney University

Event Schedule

Join leading researchers, educators and community voices at the Social Cohesion Symposium: Belonging, Resilience, and Democratic Participation as part of Social Science Week 2026.

This thought-provoking event explores some of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary Australia, from multiculturalism and social cohesion to media trust, democratic participation, belonging and resilience.

Through expert panels and lively discussion, the symposium will examine how communities navigate exclusion, build connection, and contribute to a more inclusive society.

Bringing together scholars from across Australia alongside practitioners and community representatives, the symposium offers a unique opportunity to engage with fresh research, diverse perspectives and practical solutions.

Whether you're a student, academic, professional or community member, this is your chance to be part of an important conversation about the future of social cohesion in Australia.

Venue: Parramatta South Campus (Rydalmere)
Time: 9:30am for 10am - 4pm

Tuesday 15 September - Coffee with a Cop

Coffee with a Cop

Thinking about a career where no two days are the same?

Join us for Coffee with a Cop and meet local police officers in a relaxed and informal setting. Enjoy a free coffee while learning about career opportunities in policing, community safety and the broader justice sector.

A career in policing can be challenging, exciting and deeply rewarding. From frontline policing and specialist operations to investigations, intelligence and community engagement, policing offers a wide range of pathways for people who want to make a positive impact in their communities.

Whether you're actively considering a career in policing or simply curious to learn more, we'd love to see you there. Ask questions, gain insights from experienced officers, and discover how a career dedicated to protecting and serving the community can make a real difference.

For those considering a career in policing, Western Sydney University offers the Associate Degree in Applied Policing (ADAP) in partnership with the NSW Police Force, supporting students on their journey to becoming police officers.

VENUE: Parramatta South Campus (between the front of Buildings EA & EB)
TIME: 10am - 12pm

Tuesday 15 September - Book Launch: Policing People - Background Characteristics and Occupational Attitudes in Law Enforcement

Book Launch: Policing People - Background Characteristics and Occupational Attitudes in Law Enforcement

Join the School of Social Sciences for the launch of Policing People: Background Characteristics and Occupational Attitudes in Law Enforcement by Professor Toby Miles-Johnson.

This book explores why police background characteristics and occupational attitudes matter, and how they affect officers, policing, and citizen engagement.

Bridging sociology, criminology, and organisational psychology, this book offers a timely, research-driven analysis of how police officers' background characteristics and occupational attitudes shape recruitment, behaviour, and public engagement.

With a focus on education, gender, diversity, and institutional bias, Miles-Johnson provides critical insights into the internal dynamics of policing and their broader implications for citizen trust and professionalism. Essential for scholars and students of policing, criminal justice, and public administration, this book challenges conventional approaches to officer performance and retention by emphasising the complex interplay between individual traits and institutional culture.

Venue: Parramatta South Campus (Rydalmere)
Time:4pm - 6pm

Wednesday 16 September - Annual Sexualities and Genders Research Showcase

Annual Sexualities and Genders Research Showcase

Why are school uniforms gendered? How can schools better support trans and gender diverse students? What are young people doing to tackle online hate? How can communities address problematic masculinity and intimate partner violence?

These are just some of the thought-provoking questions explored by researchers in Western Sydney University's vibrant Sexualities and Genders Research community.

Join us for the Annual Sexualities and Genders Research Showcase, where leading researchers, PhD candidates, and community partners will share innovative and impactful research on gender, sexuality, identity, inclusion, education, health, faith, and social change.

Featuring a series of engaging and accessible speed presentations, the showcase offers a unique opportunity to hear about cutting-edge research addressing some of the most important social issues of our time. The event will conclude with networking and refreshments, providing an opportunity to connect with researchers, students, community organisations, government representatives, and industry partners.

VENUE: Parramatta City Campus (Peter Shergold Building, 1PSQ)
TIME: 2pm - 5pm

Hosted by Western Sydney University's Sexualities and Genders Research Group (SaGR) and the Institute for Culture and Society's Queer Cultures Research Program

Friday 18 September - WSU Parramatta Redux film screening + River Walk

Parramatta Redux film screening + River Walk

To celebrate Social Sciences Week 2026, the School of Social Sciences will be screening Parramatta Redux (38 minutes), a documentary film directed and produced by Associate Professor Malini Sur. The screening will be followed by Q&A.

The film explores the enduring connections between the Parramatta River and the diverse communities, past and present, that have shaped its identity. From Indigenous custodianship to contemporary multicultural life, it reflects on themes of resilience, colonisation, migration and environmental change, offering a layered understanding of the river as both a living landscape and a witness to ongoing social and cultural transformation.

Following the screening, Darug Elder, Uncle Chris Tobin, will lead a River Walk for attendees along the river adjacent to the Parramatta South campus. The walk with Uncle Chris is an opportunity for discussion and discovery of Indigenous concerns and reflections. This is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding of and connection to Country (places for the river walk are limited).

VENUE: Parramatta South Campus (Rydalmere)
FILM SCREENING and Q&A: 1.30pm for 2pm - 3.15pm
RIVER WALK: 3.15pm - 4.15pm (places for the river walk are limited).

This documentary film is an outcome of The Collaborative Museum: Embedding Cultural Infrastructure in the City Australian Research Council Linkage Project LP200301481 and generous support from the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University.

Brought to you by the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University and Parramatta's Lit - a Festival of Writing and Stories in Western Sydney.