• Charles Sturt announces that Science in Australia Gender Equity Ltd Foundation will be the foundation conference partner for the 20^th Gender Education Association Conference in Port Macquarie in June, 2024

 Charles Sturt University is delighted to announce Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Ltd as the foundation conference partner for the 20^th Gender and Education Association (GEA) Conference to be held at Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie from 17-20 June 2024.

SAGE is a highly esteemed and respected transformational gender equity, diversity and inclusion program in Australia that champions gender equity and social change through education.

The international conference will be hosted at Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie also in partnership with the Gender and Education Association (GEA) UK and will bring together education practitioners from all levels and backgrounds to increase diversity and inclusion in education, improving equal opportunities for all.

Charles Sturt University Associate Professor Cate Thomas from the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts and conference Co-Chair said that the conference aims to be a catalyst for discussion and action to address global and institutional inequality through the power of education and knowledge.  

“The conference is expected to attract more than 200 people internationally with the format offering a range of presentations from a vast array of educational experts from the academic, community, government and private sectors,” Professor Thomas said.

“Planning for the conference is well underway and we are developing a diverse program and a fantastic lineup of speakers.”

Chief Executive Officer of SAGE Dr Janin Bredehoeft said SAGE was proud to support a conference that aligns so closely with SAGE’s vision for the education sector to be a global leader in gender equity, diversity and inclusion.

“We’re so excited to be helping to facilitate this important conversation, bringing together people with a huge range of expertise to tackle questions of transforming equity in our sector,” Dr Bredehoeft said.

“We look forward to seeing ideas sparking and new directions explored.”

SAGE Communications and Partnerships Manager Ms Heather Champion said SAGE’s deep commitment to systemic and transformational change aligns closely with the conference objectives.

“With our clear purpose to address systemic barriers to gender equity, diversity and inclusion, SAGE is a great fit with the conference theme of ‘Be the change’,” Ms Champion said.

Charles Sturt having won the bid to host the 20^th Gender Education Association Conference in 2024 is another example of the institution being recognised as a global leader in diversity and inclusion.  

The event will explore local, national and global inequalities in education, breaking down the one-size-fits-all approach and analysing systemic and structural barriers that have led to disadvantages among different groups.

The University received a Bronze Award in the 2021 Australian Workplace Equality Index rankings, and in 2022 Charles Sturt was awarded an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality from the Commonwealth for the third year in a row.

Those interested in attending the 20^th Gender Education Association Conference in 2024 can register their interest to stay up to date with the latest conference news by visiting the conference website or by contacting GEA2024@csu.edu.au for further information.  

Registrations will open on 29 January 2024.  

The call for abstracts is now open and will close on 26 January 2024. Abstracts can be submitted here.

ENDS