Celebrate International Women’s Day

Join a special online panel discussion based on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future, to learn more about the impact women at ACU have.

This International Women’s Day (IWD) we invite you to celebrate the impact of women at ACU through a special online panel discussion on Wednesday 8 March, from 12pm–1pm AEDT/11am–12pm AEST.

The IWD theme for 2023 is Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future. The theme emphasises the importance of bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education in combating discrimination and the marginalisation of women around the world.

Co-chaired by Chief People Officer Anna Phillips and Deputy Provost Professor Chris Lonsdale, this panel discussion provides an opportunity to hear from three ACU women as they share insights on how women’s involvement in the innovation and development of technology can accelerate our progress towards a gender equal future.

Panel discussion details

When: Wednesday 8 March, 12pm–1pm AEDT/11am–12pm AEST
Where: Teams Webinar – click this link to register and attend

Registration is encouraged so the event details will be added to your calendar.

Please make time to join with colleagues across ACU to celebrate IWD and women at ACU.

Cracking the Code Panellists

Professor Susan Broomhall

Gender and Women’s History Research Centre, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences

Professor Broomhall is an inaugural member of ACU’s Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team and the author of numerous monographs and edited collections focused on gender history and the experiences of women in the early modern world. Among Professor Broomhall’s current research interests are the role of gender ideologies in early modern natural resource management, women's participation in agricultural innovations from the early modern period to modern Australia, and the challenges of their inclusion in historical analyses.

Associate Professor Bhavani Sridharan

Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching and Accreditation, Faculty of Law and Business

Associate Professor Sridharan’s passion to make a difference in the lives of women started with her embarking on her own academic journey in the information technology space.

From a culturally and linguistically diverse background herself, Professor Sridharan uses her own voice to spearhead outreach initiatives which aim to empower future leaders while positively influencing marginalised communities. These initiatives have included raising awareness levels of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDGs), uplifting inclusive technology-enhanced pedagogies, connecting students with potential employers, and providing immersive experiences for graduates.

Dr Kate Highfield

Deputy Head of School (Canberra and regional NSW), School of Education

Dr Highfield is an experienced leader, teacher and researcher in the early childhood education and care sector, with an interest in the impacts of technology on learning, pedagogy, and play.

Dr Highfield is widely cited and published and has provided educational advice on a range of ABC products for children such as Playschool, ABC Kids, ABC Innovation and several ABC apps. Dr Highfield has also worked in leadership at a peak body that supports early childhood educators, Early Childhood Australia.

Ms Anna Phillips

Chief People Officer

Ms Anna Phillips has worked to develop ACU’s current People Plan which will guide ACU’s people-focused strategies over the next three years.

With extensive strategic and operational experience across a wide range of functions such as global technology and financial services, Ms Phillips’ background as Chief People and Culture Officer at Austin Health complements her passion for developing future leaders, especially women, and the application of positive change methodologies to drive sustainable change and engagement.

Ms Phillips is also co-sponsor of ACU’s SAGE Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team.

Professor Chris Lonsdale

Interim Deputy Provost

Professor Lonsdale leads large-scale projects across the organisation supporting ACU’s Strategic Plan. In co-leading ACU’s SAGE Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team, Professor Lonsdale has helped lead ACU towards innovative, evidence-based solutions as part of its Athena SWAN Bronze Award Application.

Professor Lonsdale’s research examines the motivational underpinnings of behaviour in a variety of contexts and develops scalable behaviour change interventions to solve real world problems in the health and education sectors.