On 29 September 2016, the Contemporary Histories Research Group hosted the seminar ‘Gender, the Academy, and the Practice of History: A Conversation.’ We are pleased to share the audio recording of this seminar and thank our panel and all who attended.

“This seminar was dreamed up through casual discussions between Dr Sarah Pinto and  Dr Kirstie Close-Barry, and resulted in their inviting three outstanding women who have been leaders in the history discipline to share insights into their experiences ‘on the way to the top’. Listen in to hear reflections and commentary from Professor Joy Damousi from the University of Melbourne, Professor Katie Holmes from La Trobe University and Assiciate Professor Julie Evans.” – Dr Kirstie Close-Barry

The Australian university sector continues to face problems in employing, retaining, and promoting women, particularly at senior academic levels. This panel brings together three women in senior academic roles for a panel and conversation about some of the issues the sector currently faces, and how we might continue to advocate for spaces that accommodate and respect women’s contributions to the academy.

Professor Joy Damousi is Professor of History and ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She is the author of numerous books on war, trauma, sound, emotion and migration. 

Katie Holmes is Professor of History and Director of the Transforming Human Societies Research Focus Area at La Trobe University. She researches in the areas of environmental history, the history of gardens, and gender and sexuality. 

Julie Evans is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Melbourne. Julie’s research and teaching explores relations between western law and Indigenous peoples since the 15th century, and reflects her background across the disciplines of law, history, and criminology.