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Learning, Teaching and Social Justice in Higher Education

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Australian Catholic University (ACU) held a one day symposium on 'Learning, Teaching and Social Justice in Higher Education' at the Melbourne Campus on Wednesday, 18 November.

The interdisciplinary symposium explored a variety of ways in which social and social justice concerns are being incorporated in higher education teaching and learning settings. 

Scholars and higher education practitioners across all fields from ACU, Southern Cross University, La Trobe University, Victoria University, Macquarie University, Charles Sturt University, Monash University and the University of Western Sydney discussed their work and its impact in higher education classrooms and in the broader community.

Dean of ACU's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Professor Margot Hillel OAM said that the symposium provided discussion on the ways universities do or do not respond to the issues of access and equity raised recently in the Bradley Review.

"It's important for universities to incorporate social justice issues into its courses, and to open its doors to allow better access and connectivity with disadvantaged communities," she said.

The symposium presented research and discussion in the following areas:

  • ethics, spirituality, and learning
  • religious institutions and social justice education
  • social movements, past and present
  • community engagement and outreach
  • social justice and the creative arts
  • public policy, human rights law, and social justice
  • teaching Indigenous issues
  • the role of universities in the promotion of social justice