Explore the astounding work of Western researchers in our Thought Leadership series.
Our series highlights research supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are proud to have been globally ranked in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for Sustainability since 2022, reflecting our ongoing commitment to sustainability. This series is part of the Western Sydney University Sustainability and Resilience Decadal Strategy 2030.
These free public events are open to everyone. Register to attend in person or via Zoom.
Browse our Event Archive for recordings of past events.
If you would like to get involved with presenting, please contact the Library Research Engagement team.
Upcoming Events
September
Tai Chi for Health and Happiness: Research, Practice and Real-World Impact
Discover how the ancient practice of Tai Chi is transforming modern approaches to health, wellbeing, and healthy ageing.
Join Dr Guoyan (Emily) Yang, Adjunct Research Fellow at NICM Health Research Institute, and Alexander Aslan, psychologist and Western Sydney University alumnus, as they explore the growing body of evidence supporting Tai Chi for physical health, mental wellbeing, stress reduction, cognitive function and quality of life.
Combining cutting-edge research with real-world experience, this engaging session will examine how gentle movement, mindfulness, and evidence-based practice can contribute to healthier individuals and more resilient communities.
As part of the Western Sydney University Library Thought Leadership Event Series, this event showcases research that supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advances the University's commitment to sustainability, wellbeing and community resilience.
From: 12:00pm Tuesday, September 15, 2026
To: 1:00pm Tuesday, September 10, 2025
Registration: link
August
Turning Food Waste into Value through Research and Commercialisation
Assoc. Prof. Dharma Hagare – Western Sydney University
Mr. Norm Boyle – Founder & CEO, Food Recycle Ltd
Join us for a compelling session exploring how food waste can be transformed into valuable resources through research innovation and industry application.
From: 12:00pm Wednesday, August 12, 2026
To: 1:00pm Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Registration: link
Hemmed In: School Uniforms, Gender Performance, and the Illusion of Choice
What do girls actually want to wear to school? From a young age, Australian girls are dressed to signal femininity, and school uniform policies are one of the most powerful and underexamined ways this happens. While New South Wales public schools are now required to offer pants and shorts for girls, many private schools still restrict girls to skirts or dresses with no alternatives available. Even where options technically exist, they are often so poorly designed or quietly hidden that real choice is largely an illusion. Drawing on interviews with 31 Sydney parents and theories of gender performativity, this event investigates whether school uniform policies reflect girls' preferences, or whether they manufacture them, pushing girls to perform femininity on a daily basis.
Dr Jennifer E. Cheng is a Lecturer in Sociology in the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University. She is an interdisciplinary scholar who has published widely on issues of racism/anti-racism, Islamophobia, sport, and gender. She has a particular interest in deconstructing and revealing hidden inequities so change can be enacted.
From: 1:00pm Wednesday, August 26, 2026
To: 2:00pm Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Registration: link