Impact and Engagement
Impact and Engagement
Embedded Files
The Safer Universities project aims not only to generate knowledge, but also to contribute to evidence-informed change across the higher education sector.
The Safer Universities project aims not only to generate knowledge, but also to contribute to evidence-informed change across the higher education sector.
This section highlights examples of research uptake, presentations, sector engagement and other activities, demonstrating how research findings are contributing to conversations about safety, wellbeing, equity and inclusion in universities.
This section highlights examples of research uptake, presentations, sector engagement and other activities, demonstrating how research findings are contributing to conversations about safety, wellbeing, equity and inclusion in universities.
Invited Speaker: Asia-Pacific Academic Mental Health Symposium, University of Queensland (30th September, 2026)
Invited Speaker: Asia-Pacific Academic Mental Health Symposium, University of Queensland (30th September, 2026)
Dr Erika (Rik) Smith has been invited to present at the Asia-Pacific Academic Mental Health Symposium, bringing together higher degree candidates, researchers, practitioners and sector leaders working to improve mental health and wellbeing in higher education.
The symposium provides an opportunity to share findings from the Safer Universities project to contribute to emerging conversations about preventing harm, supporting staff, and strengthening institutional responses across the higher education sector.
Presentation: WSU School of Social Sciences Annual Sexualities and Genders Research Showcase (16th September, 2026)
Presentation: WSU School of Social Sciences Annual Sexualities and Genders Research Showcase (16th September, 2026)
Dr Erika (Rik) Smith will present findings from the Academic Experience of Student-Perpetrated Harm report and share an update on the Safer Universities project at Western Sydney University's Annual Sexualities and Genders Research Showcase on 16 September 2026.
Hosted by the Sexualities and Genders Research Group (SaGR) and the Institute for Culture and Society's Queer Cultures Research Program, the event highlights research addressing some of the most pressing social issues of our time.
Research informing Western Sydney University's Athena Swan Silver Award
Research informing Western Sydney University's Athena Swan Silver Award
Findings from Safer Universities (Smith, 2022; Willis & Smith, 2024) were cited in Western Sydney University's successful Athena Swan Silver Award application, which recognised ten years of progress in gender equity, diversity and inclusion and used these studies as part of the evidence base for informing what genuine institutional commitment to gender, equity, diversity and inclusion (GEDI) looks like.
International Presentation at the European Educational Research Association (ECER) Conference, Tampere, Finland (18-21 August, 2026)
International Presentation at the European Educational Research Association (ECER) Conference, Tampere, Finland (18-21 August, 2026)
Research from the Safer Universities project was presented at the 2026 European Educational Research Association (EERA) Conference in Tampere, Finland.
The presentation compared evidence on student-perpetrated violence in Australian and Swedish universities and contributed to international discussions about workplace safety, wellbeing and institutional responses to violence and harm in higher education.
The conference provided an opportunity to engage with researchers from across Europe and beyond and to situate Australian findings within broader global conversations about safer universities.
Page updated
Report abuse