CEEHE is a site of innovative research and practice, brought together in critical thought to generate transformative impact for equity in and beyond higher education. Our work—in practice, research, facilitation and support—aims to address persistent inequalities and is grounded in a unique ‘praxis-based’ social justice framework.

While we are situated within the University of Newcastle, our work extends through connection and collaboration with local, national and international networks committed to social justice. The team of researchers and practitioners is led by Director and UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education Professor Penny Jane Burke.

UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education

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Professor Penny Jane Burke's experience of returning to study via an Access to Higher Education program has fuelled a deep commitment to generating research and practice that contributes to social and institutional transformation. Her work is firmly located in, and has generated new, social justice methodologies, as part of the collective project of 'contributing to, deconstructing, analysing and reframing equity in higher education'. Her work, spanning a career of more than two-decades, is brought to bear in the development of CEEHE, a framework for embedded equity work now recognised internationally as a unique and leading model of ethical praxis.

In 2023, Professor Burke was named UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion and will support a team across Australia, Ghana, the UK and beyond to extend key research collaborations.

Conceptual Framework

Conceptual Framework Diagram

The centre's unique conceptual framework underpins all activities of the Centre. It articulates how research and practice are held together and the key theoretical principles that inform our work.

Equity at the University of Newcastle

UON is a driving force and advocate for equity in higher education with a long history of commitment to our heterogeneous communities, including through the provision of access pathways. Our commitment to equity and excellence is a practise of deep reflexivity to interrogate our own institutional processes, practices and pedagogies. Our aim is to help disrupt multidimensional and dynamic inequalities at play in and through higher education.

"UON is committed to achieving parity between the proportion of UON students from diverse backgrounds, who enter and graduate from all disciplines with the proportion of people who are from those backgrounds in our regions. Parity of participation is also about who is included in the design of initiatives, who the university is accountable to, and how backgrounds and cultures are recognised as important to the future of the University." (Student Equity and Social Justice Framework).

Highlighted publications and resources