Events
Upcoming Events
Welcome to Social Sciences Week @ Western!
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
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Monday 15 September - Social Cohesion Symposium: Belonging, Resilience, and Democratic Participation
Social Cohesion Symposium: Belonging, Resilience, and Democratic Participation
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
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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.
To celebrate Social Sciences Week 2026, the School of Social Sciences is excited to launch the book Policing People: Background Characteristics and Occupational Attitudes in Law Enforcement by Professor Toby Miles-Johnson.
This 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 emphasizing the complex interplay between individual traits and institutional culture.
Venue: Parramatta South Campus (Rydalmere)
Time: 4pm - 6pm
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The Amazing (High-School) Race: School of Social Sciences Edition
The School of Social Sciences is inviting Year 11 and 12 students to an exciting and interactive Social Sciences Immersion Day on our Parramatta South Campus.
Racing to Save Westville is an Amazing Race-inspired challenge where students become Social Science Investigators, working in teams to solve real-world social issues and save a city in crisis before time runs out.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in hands-on activities, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative learning while exploring different social science perspectives.
Students will also have the opportunity to connect with academics and current university students, learn about studying the social sciences, and discover the diverse career pathways a social science degree can offer.
If you have a Year 11 or 12 student in your life encourage their School to join us for a fun and engaging introduction to the social sciences and to explore how they help us understand and shape the world around us.
Registrations close on Thursday 3 September.
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WSU Parramatta Redux film screening + River Walk
To celebrate Social Sciences Week 2026, the School of Social Sciences will be screening Parramatta Redux, a short documentary by Associate Professor Malini Sur, including an introduction by the film maker.
The film explores the enduring connections between the Parramatta River and the diverse communities, past and present, that have shaped its identity. From 91成人 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 91成人 concerns and reflections. This is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding of and connection to Country.
Venue: Parramatta South Campus (Rydalmere)
Film Screening: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
River Walk: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
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