UNESCO Chair
The UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education, led by Professor Penny Jane Burke, aims to effect transformative equity by mobilising higher education as a vehicle for social justice, addressing and challenging the conditions that undermine progress toward reducing inequalities, gender equality and quality education for all.
The collaborative work of the Chair will:
- identify intersecting inequalities and combat persistent injustices that impede transformative equity
- develop new research and programmatic strategies for transformative equity, drawing from cutting edge theories and praxis from the field; and
- promote redistribution of higher education resources and opportunities to marginalised groups and communities.
We are living in a time of widening inequalities, environmental degradation and social exclusion. Higher education has a key role to play in challenging the multiple injustices that severely undermine the capacity for generating sustainable futures and for personal and social flourishing and well-being...
Through the UNESCO Chair, we will collaboratively generate new knowledge and practice that has the power to address the ongoing inequalities that impede fair, equitable and sustainable futures for all." - Professor Penny Jane Burke
UNESCO Chair Report 2023-2025
This report captures the first 2.5 years of activity, engagement and impact of the UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education held by Professor Penny Jane Burke at the University of Newcastle. The report will be updated and reissued periodically over the term of the Chair.
Read more
Transformative Reimagining: Sustainable Higher Education for Equity and Social Justice
Professor Penny Jane Burke gave a keynote address at the Universities Australia Solutions Summit on 26 February 2024.
Commencing the work of the UNESCO Chair - Looking Ahead Event
Looking Ahead Lecture: Keynote
UNESCO Chair Professor Penny Jane Burke delivered a powerful address on the role of higher education in addressing inequalities.
Looking Ahead Lecture: In Conversation
Following the keynote, Professor Penny Jane Burke was joined by ABC Newcastle's Kia Handley. She spoke further about the projects of the UNESCO Chair and her own experiences of returning to education.
Collaboration and co-design
The UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education builds on the work of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education and our partners and collaborators throughout the academy and broader community, in Ghana, England, South Africa and across the world.
UNESCO Chair Partner Dr Gifty Gyamera
Dr Gyamera responds to the news of the UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education award.
UNESCO Chair Penny Jane Burke and Project Partner Julia Coffey
Professor Penny Jane Burke and Dr Julia Coffey discuss the next steps for the Understanding the impact of gender-based violence on access to and participation in higher education project.
Launched in 1992, the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, which involves over 850 institutions in 117 countries, promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work.
Collaborate and contribute
Contact us to see how we may be able to partner together
Image credit: Penny Jane Burke in front of video artwork Freefall 2021 by Izabella Pluta at the Nihilartikel Exhibiton, University Galleries, Newcastle. Photographed by Edwina Richards.
Stay connected
- Phone: +61 2 4913 8199
- Email: ceehe@newcastle.edu.au
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.