Call for papers

Famous Sharon at Curtin Ally event

The successful carriage of marriage equality into Australian law in 2017 reflected a triumph for LGBTIQ+ inclusion[1]. However, the recognition of marriage equality as a right is only part of the story as LGBTIQ+ people face ongoing and entrenched social, cultural, political, religious and economic discrimination and exclusion from being full participants in society. The challenges regarding the human rights for people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics occur in the everyday, through the lived experience at home, in the workplace and in education.

In a rapidly changing Higher Education environment, how can Ally Networks contribute to enabling and ensuring the human rights of students and staff in relation to questions of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics?

Michael Kirby observes, “LGBTIQ people continue to live with social exclusion and homophobia in the broader society, in their studies and in the workplace. It is through education and networks, such as the Ally Networks that these attitudes and experiences are changed. Australia’s universities have a significant role to play in educating their students about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Universities also have a leading role as major employers in ensuring they promote best practice and equity in the workplace. By creating a respectful and supportive culture the universities’ Ally networks contribute substantially to that environment and change.”[2]

The 2018 Ally Conference will open up a national and international conversation on how to activate human rights in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics for all people well into the future, setting new pathways to policy, innovation and enduring change.

The Conference will bring together academic and professional staff, students, activists and practitioners from across Ally and LGBTIQ+ communities in the education sectors and industry and beyond, and will showcase best practice of Ally networks in diverse institutional contexts. The conference will  cover Allyship to the LGBTIQ+ community AND  also Allyship within the LGBTIQ+ community.

[1] At Curtin, LGBTIQ+ is inclusive of all genders, sexualities and sex characteristics. We also use SOGII in this call for papers, standing for sexual orientation and gender identity, and intersex rights to express this inclusion.

[2]  From letter of support to the inaugural Ally Conference 2016, hosted by Western Sydney University.

 We invite presentations in key focus areas that might address aspects of the following: Lived experience, education and pedagogy, workplace, theories and practices of queer solidarity and alliances, activism, queer scholarship and intersectionality.

Contributions outside these areas are also welcome.

Suggested topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Alliances and Solidarities
  • The role of universities in relation to queer
  • Queer histories of alliance and solidarity
  • Queer spaces and conviviality
  • After marriage equality…
  • Safe Schools and Universities
  • Queer pedagogy
  • Queer belonging
  • Queer(y)ing the purpose of Ally
  • LGBTIQ+ activism, advocacy, and education
  • Identifying and addressing issues facing LGBTIQ+ students and staff
  • Sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics and community engagement
  • Australian and international LGBTIQ+ / Ally theory and realistic national and international benchmarking
  • LGBTIQ+ Indigenous issues and lived experience
  • Negotiating diversity and inclusion in University spaces and ultimate workplace transition for LGBTIQ+ students
  • Lessons learnt from human rights and social justice in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics
  • Interdisciplinary, trans-disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics
  • LGBTQI+ feminism and #MeToo movement
  • Inclusive teaching and other strategies in Higher Education
  • The role of student unions / guilds in supporting LGBTIQ+ students
  • Learning from Ally Networks in the workplace / queering the workplace
  • Visibility / transitioning in Higher Education
  • Navigating LGBTIQ+ racism, sexism, ableism, xenophobia, and classism
  • Supporting and engaging LGBTIQ+ international students
  • Imagining Ally Networks in the 2020s
  • Learning from the history of Ally Networks

Call for Papers and Panels

We welcome papers/presentations from all interested persons including academics, professional staff, activists, students, industry, and others. This can include updates on projects, policies and practices; theoretical and/or applied research; creative and/or artistic explorations, creative artefacts, poster presentations; interactive Q&A, workshops, or short screenings with discussion that can be situated thematically within the list of suggested topics.

Individual Papers

Individual paper presentations are 20 mins long. Please submit an abstract including Title, Name, Organisation, Email, Abstract (250 words), Bio (100 words).

Collaborative Panels

Panel proposals are also welcome. Panels need to include 3-4 papers. In addition to submitting a 250 word abstract for each presenter, please submit an abstract (100 words) and a title (15 words max.) for the panel as a whole. Please indicate lead panel contact person.

Submission must be sent via email to: AllyConference2018@curtin.edu.au

Please include a short bio or bios (if panel) note at the end of your abstract or panel.

The final Call for Papers deadline was 22 July 2018.