Please complete the Abstract Form below and return it, by 31 January 2012, by email to srilanka2012@acu.ac.uk or by fax to +44 (0)207 387 2655. 

Abstract Form

Conference Theme and Strands

Within the framework of the overall theme, Critical Women:  Women as Agents of Change through Higher Education, we invite proposals for contributions to any of the six sub-themes, outlined below:

1. Women and Higher Education Leadership
   Why are women critical to the leadership of higher education?   Why, from a political / ethical perspective (amongst others) are women critical to the leadership of higher education?   Do women have rights and responsibilities to take up positions of leadership?  What difference does it make to the leadership of an insitution?  Why, despite the many development programmes for women in leadership and management, the advocacy and efforts made in many jurisdictions to introduce gender equitable policies and practices, do so (relatively) few women break through the glass ceiling?   What needs to change to enable their advancement to and retention in the top jobs?
2. Gender Mainstreaming in Universities
   With specific regard to policy development and implementation, the priority of this sub-theme will be to challenge universities to recognise, not only from the perspective of natural justice but also in terms of setting the benchmark for society in general, the importance of introducing and implementing policies which ensure that women's rights and interests are represented in curricula, appointments and promotions practices, research and collaborations, so that the higher education sector is seen to be playing a leading role in transforming perceptions about, and overcoming discrimination against, women.
3. Women and Economic Development
   It has long been argued that the education of women is critical to advancing economic development and this sub-theme will provide the opportunity further to explore issues relating to women and economic empowerment, health and peace-building;  and to consider how universities can work alongside their governments, industry and NGOs to challeng the status quo and inspire both men and women to recognise the capacity of educated women to bring about transformational change in their families and communities.
4. Women and HIV/AIDS
   This sub-theme will examine the particular impact of HIV/AIDS on women, and how the higher education sector can and should respond to it.   In many countries in both the old and new Commonwealth there is still a silence and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS  -  even in the university sector.  Why is this so?    How can universities address it?  Which strategies have proven to be successful in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS not only on university staff and students but also, through engagement with their communities, on women in the wider society?   We shall seek in this session not only to raise awareness of the issues but also to encourage commitment to action.
5. Women and Research / Gender-Sensitive Research
   What strategies can universities adopt to encourage female students and staff to recognise the importance  -  to the development of their discipline, their career and, potentially, the societies they serve  -  of being active and productive in research;  and how can that activity and productivity be facilitated and nurtured?  To what extent do students, their supervisors, or established research workers, take an interest in, or even notice, whether research proposals and projects are gender sensitive?   Should they?                                                                                                                                           
6. Universities Engaging with their Communities  -  the Gender Perspective
   This session will be led by the Talloires Network and further information about it will be uploaded as soon as possible.

Please do not feel constrained by the above outlines.   Proposals will be especially welcome from those who wish to bring new and / or related issues to the table.