Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne

Just give it a go is Lenah Ankliss's advice when it comes to applying for the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship.

We caught up with Lenah, who's studying for a Master's in Social Policy and says she's looking forward to creating a meaningful impact in her communities.

"By the end of the scholarship, I hope to have improved my policy analysis skills and conducted meaningful research in social policy to empower Lebanese (Arab) Australians. I’m also currently exploring ways I can leverage the resources and network that Westpac has provided me with to have a meaningful impact on the communities I am a part of."

Lenah studied Social Research and Public Policy with a minor in Legal Studies at New York University's Abu Dhabi campus and explained how the scholarship was the perfect opportunity to make new friends.

"I have been living outside of Australia for a while now, and I was looking for an opportunity to take what I had learned and apply it back to the Australian context. Along with the scholarship providing generous funding and international exposure, it also gives you the chance to connect with an amazing, like-minded cohort of individuals (now friends) across Australia."

Most of Australia’s First Nations languages don’t have gendered pronouns. Our linguistics experts explain why in The Conversation Australia + NZ → unimelb.me/3yNK4LH

As Donald Trump prepares for the upcoming presidential debate, Dr Seraphine F. Maerz says the real question isn't if his microphone will be muted when Kamala Harris speaks, but whether his words will undermine democracy.

She explains why language matters in politics → unimelb.me/3z2uMD7

Congratulations to our researcher who was recently awarded the Chancellor's Prize for Excellence in the PhD Thesis 🎉

Pinar Fontini’s thesis, titled “Women’s new cinema: Political and social resistance in the films of female directors from Turkey”, was recognised for its quality, international reach and impact.

Read more → unimelb.me/4couHau

Have you noticed this garden outside of the Arts West building? 🌳

Its landscaping is very intentional and is designed to showcase iconic plants of the southern hemisphere including those from Australia, South America and Africa. It has species from between the latitude of 30 and 40 degrees south like the Spotted Gum, Ombu, African Holly and Peruvian Pepper.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 🤔

What you’re going to do with your life is one of the big questions young people grapple with. But rest assured, some of history’s greats went through it, too. Dr Konstantine Panegyres shares ancient stories (and advice) that tell us about the very real struggle to work this out dates back millennia.

Read more → unimelb.me/3TmLTGv

In early August, we undertook a series of workshops led by our Poet in Residence, Maxine Beneba Clarke, and invited budding and established poets from across our community to submit a haiku.

The winning poems are now spreading joy on billboards across Melbourne! ✨
Read more → unimelb.me/4eaUsvZ

How did language learning and translation become a key part of women’s activism? 📢

Join us for this lecture on the networks and cooperation of the early 1900s that lead to new ways of advocating for women’s rights and social justice around the world.

Register now → unimelb.me/4dMtr1S

Almost half of migrant and refugee women in Australia have reported at least one form of sexual harassment in the workplace in the last five years, according to a new study.

Professor Marie Segrave, Dr Siru Tan and experts from Griffith University share three key findings from their research → unimelb.me/3yNqiA9

Angas Downs is a pastoral station in Central Australia, but that’s only a fraction of its story. In this lecture, winner of The Ernest Scott Prize Dr Shannyn Palmer will recount her four years of travelling around the station for her book: Unmaking Angas Downs: myth and history on a Central Australian pastoral station.

Her talk will explore the transformative power of deep listening and unlearning for historical research and writing in a settler colonial nation.

Register now → unimelb.me/4dtAkFt

In 2024, violence against women has been declared a ‘national crisis’. However, men’s use of violence continues to be identified as a critical but underdeveloped area for action.

Join a panel of leading experts for this discussion on the current discourses and interventions with men to prevent violence → unimelb.me/3Ti1pDN

Literature has a unique ability to illuminate truths and inspire societal change. Join us for a special series of free public lectures with three leading scholars from the US, Australia and the UK as we explore this from the perspective of AI, law, political polarisation and more.

Explore the event series and register here → unimelb.me/3Xlyot0

Bosede Adetifa is working to bring together elders and young people within Victoria’s Yoruba community.

With the help of her Academic Mentor Professor Adrian Hearn and the Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program, her research will improve social isolation and provide a sense of direction within Victoria’s diverse community.

Professor Adrian Hearn was also recently recognised with the Dean's Award for Community Partnerships → unimelb.me/3At2zFH

Read more about Bosede’s story → unimelb.me/3Z8zYA3

Meet Chenchen 👋 a Master of Global Media and Communication student from Wuhu, China.

Chenchen visited many years ago and immediately knew it was the place for her.

“In 2013, at the age of 13, I participated in an Australian study tour summer camp and visited the University of Melbourne. That experience deeply captivated me, fostering a strong longing and admiration for this academic institution. At that time, I aspired to become a member of the University of Melbourne community because I was impressed by its academic atmosphere and excellent teaching quality. As time flew by, nine years later in 2022, I finally stepped into this academic haven, embarking on my journey as a graduate student.”

Since starting graduate study, she has found the variety of opportunities available to her one of the best parts of the experience.

“During my time at the University of Melbourne so far, I have found the academic environment to be exceptionally stimulating and supportive. The opportunity to pursue the minor thesis option within the Global Media and Communications program has been particularly enriching, as it allows students like myself to delve deep into our academic interests and conduct independent research under the guidance of esteemed faculty members.”

“My experience at UoM has been characterised by academic rigour, personal growth, and ample opportunities for exploration and leadership development. I am grateful for the diverse experiences and learning opportunities afforded to me at this esteemed institution.”

She hopes to continue studying through a PhD and is even on her way to NYC! 🍎

“I decided to go to the University of Maryland to pursue the PhD journey. Additionally, I received an offer from the United Nations Headquarters in New York to join the UN Global Compact, which I am set to begin this summer. Moving forward, I am driven by a dual passion: to delve deeper into the realms of science communication and climate communication through rigorous academic research. Also, I aspire to harness my expertise and experiences to effect meaningful change, assisting individuals and communities worldwide, and catalyzing positive transformations toward a more sustainable and equitable future.”

📣 Calling all undergrads enrolled at Australian unis! Do you want to win some great prizes, like an Australia - South Korea return ticket, or a $500 gift card?

You have until Friday 6 September to enter our Pitch Your Korea contest, where we’re looking for creative ways to promote understanding of Korea and Korean culture in Australia.

It’s open to all subjects, specialisations and year levels, so get brainstorming and tap through to learn more → unimelb.me/4g7mmuT

Join us for the launch of the Medical Humanities Research Lab with this lecture on the limitations of psychiatric diagnoses and their use as social tools.

Register now → unimelb.me/4fQUrip

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

Melissa Conley Tyler says that Australia must strive towards greater integration into the region’s identity and show up more as a contributing member of the Pacific.

Read more → unimelb.me/3MmgUX8

A new report led by our experts is shedding light on the intersection of sexual harassment, exploitative work conditions and racial discrimination experienced by migrant and refugee women in workplaces across the country.

Read more → unimelb.me/3McS2Rz

We see more information than ever before, but are we actually understanding any of it? 🤖

The Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative is proud to present the first in a series of talks about literature’s unique ability to illuminate truths and inspire societal change. Join the University of Washington’s Tracie D. Hall for this sobering discussion on what the rise of machine-learning could mean for human literacy.

Register now → unimelb.me/4fOykcB

Co-design and co-production are becoming more common in research that involves working with communities. Join a panel of experts for this discussion on why these methods are important and what can sometimes get in the way.

Register now → unimelb.me/3WR5L5y

How have mass digitisation and rapidly expanding AI challenged traditional ways of doing art history and curatorship?

Join Dr Katrina Grant for this captivating lecture on how technology is changing art, history, culture and curation → unimelb.me/3SZHid9

Did the early Celts indeed drink wine from these vessels or completely different drinks, such as beer or milk? Did they use local and foreign drinking vessels in similar ways or for completely different purposes? 🏺

Come along to hear Professor Philipp Stockhammer from the Archaeological Institute at Athens (AAIA) deliver this annual lecture → unimelb.me/4dPTQfb

Mental disorders are diagnosed using checklists of symptoms, not by identifying conditions that explain symptoms. However, is this model correct or even useful?

Join visiting Professor of Philosophy, Simon Keller, for this discussion on an alternative conception of mental disorders → unimelb.me/4dsEz4i