Human Rights Symposium - Call for Abstracts

This event was held on Monday 25 November 2024

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The Centre for Law and Social Justice invites expressions of interest from academics, lawyers, advocates and other interested contributors to participate in its 2024 Symposium, which will focus on Australia’s human rights framework. The Symposium will be held on Monday 25 November 2024 at the University of Newcastle’s Sydney Campus at Martin Place in Sydney (55 Elizabeth Street).

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Australia has reached a moment of significant opportunity in human rights terms. The Australian Human Rights Commission has concluded its landmark Free and Equal inquiry and published a report recommending major reform of Australia’s human rights framework. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has reported on its own inquiry, issuing several complementary recommendations to Government, including for the passage of a national Human Rights Act.


This November, the Centre for Law and Social Justice will host its annual symposium at the Sydney campus of the University of Newcastle. This one-day event will welcome speakers with diverse perspectives on Australia’s legal system to present research and share lived experiences relevant to Australia’s human rights framework. We welcome expressions of interest to present papers or convene sessions on human rights topics including, but not limited to:

  • National human rights law reform
  • The Australian Human Rights Commission and its role in Australia’s human rights system
  • Anti-discrimination law
  • Human rights and criminal justice
  • Lived experiences of specific cohorts and intersectional perspectives
  • Challenges for rights claimants
  • The rights of people with disabilities, including in relation to the NDIS
  • Specific topics in human rights law, policy, practice and advocacy


To submit an abstract, please email SocialJustice@newcastle.edu.au by Monday 30 September 2024. All submissions will be reviewed by the organising committee. Please include ‘Call for Abstracts – Full Name’ in the subject line of your email, and the following:

  • Title of your paper
  • Abstract (up to 200 words)
  • 5 keywords
  • A short biography of presenter/s (up to 50 words)


We plan a mix format event, including presentation panels, roundtables and in-conversation sessions. We welcome proposals for symposium sessions and collaborative sessions. Time available for presentations and sessions will be confirmed after all proposals are considered. In addition to participants presenting papers, academics, lawyers, advocates and other interested persons are encouraged to attend.

The registration fee for participants and attendees will be $195, which will cover all catering including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. A discounted registration fee will be available for research students. The organising committee welcomes abstract submissions prior to the deadline and will aim to open registrations by 11 October.

Event Information

  • Date:  This event was held on Monday 25 November 2024
  • Location: University of Newcastle, Sydney Campus, 55 Elizabeth St, NSW 2000