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 be ranked #1 globally in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for Sustainability for four consecutive years, celebrating our 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
March:
Reducing Inequalities through Financial Literacy by Associate Professor Michelle Cull
Financial literacy plays a vital role in reducing social and economic inequalities and it’s a skill everyone deserves access to.
Join this three-part workshop series designed to build financial confidence and practical money skills. Across three interactive sessions, participants will learn how to create a workable budget, assess their financial wellbeing through a structured health check, and develop a future-focused plan using a financial vision approach.
Associate Professor Michelle Cull is an expert in accounting and financial planning at Western Sydney University, where she has taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs for over two decades. Her research focuses on financial literacy, ethics, trust, and education, with a strong alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Michelle has led numerous initiatives to improve financial literacy across diverse communities, including students, migrants, and women in trades.
Financial Literacy Workshop 1: Budgeting Basics
Date: 2 March 2026
Build confidence and take control of your finances by working through a structured, step‑by‑step process to create your own practical budget.
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm (AEDT)
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Hybrid (Campbelltown Campus + online)
Registration: Link
Financial Literacy Workshop 2: Your Financial Well‑being
Date: 9 March 2026
Learn how to conduct a personal financial health check and identify strategies to improve your overall financial wellbeing.
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm (AEDT)
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Hybrid (Campbelltown Campus + online)
Registration: link
Financial Literacy Workshop 3: Your Financial Vision
Date: 16 March 2026
Use the concept of a financial vision board to clarify your goals and develop a realistic plan to achieve your financial future.
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm (AEDT)
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Hybrid (Campbelltown Campus + online)
Registration: link
April:
Migration, Refugee Experiences and Social Cohesion (Policy Co-design Workshops) by Dr. Valentina Baú
These interactive workshops explore migration, refugee experiences, and social cohesion through facilitated discussion and collaborative policy co-design. Participants will work together to develop practical policy recommendations informed by shared insights and lived experience.
Dr. Valentina Baú is Co-Director of the Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI) at Western Sydney University and Associate Research Fellow with the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Diversity and Social Justice at Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation.
Workshop 1: Facilitated Discussion on Migration, Refugee Experiences and Social Cohesion
This session features facilitated discussion on migration, refugee experiences, and social cohesion. Participants will share perspectives and identify key themes and challenges that can inform constructive community and policy responses.
Date: Thursday 16 April 2026
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm
Duration: 2 hours
Planned Activities:
- Facilitated discussions on migration, refugee experiences, and social cohesion
- Collaborative development of policy recommendations
Registration: link
Workshop 2: Policy Co-design: Developing Recommendations for Social Cohesion
Date: Thursday 30 April 2026
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm
Duration: 2 hours
Building on Workshop 1, this session focuses on collaboratively shaping and refining policy recommendations. Participants will work together to prioritise actionable ideas and produce a set of recommendations grounded in workshop discussions.
Planned Activities:
- Facilitated discussions on migration, refugee experiences, and social cohesion
- Collaborative development of policy recommendations
Registration: link
CO2 Concrete
Abstract: Construction and demolition waste is a major contributor to landfill, yet its use in concrete remains limited due to inconsistent quality and performance concerns. CO2 Concrete addresses this by injecting carbon dioxide into recycled aggregate before mixing, triggering mineral carbonation that improves aggregate strength and bonding with cement. Testing shows CO2 Concrete can deliver mechanical and durability performance comparable to conventional concrete made with virgin aggregate. The process also permanently stores CO₂, reducing the embodied carbon of concrete while increasing confidence in recycled materials. CO2 Concrete offers a practical, scalable solution to support low-carbon construction and wider construction and demolition waste reuse.
https://www.co2concrete.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18578057/admin/dashboard/
Distinguished Professor Vivian W. Y. Tam FTSE is a world‑leading researcher in construction engineering and management, renowned for her contributions to green buildings and recycled concrete in addressing climate‑change challenges. She is Director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Digital Platforms for Net‑Zero Building Ecosystem Lifecycle (NØBEL) at Western Sydney University.
Professor Tam has served as a College of Experts member for the Australian Research Council (2018–2021, 2025– ). She is Editor‑in‑Chief of the International Journal of Construction Management and has published more than 330 refereed journal articles, including eight highly cited papers. Her work has attracted over 42,000 citations with an h‑index above 108 and has been supported by nine ARC projects.
Her achievements include winning the 2025 NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Engineering or ICT and being recognised among the Top 2% of scientists globally since 2017. She was also Runner‑Up for the 2019 Scopus Researcher of the Year Award (Sustainable Future) and led the team awarded the Gold Prize at the 2021 GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.
From: 11:00am Wednesday, June 3, 2026
To: 12:00pm Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Registration: link
