Pathways to Politics
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Cover of the book Toxic Parliaments, a light purple book with abstract coloured graphic in the centre, against a blue background
Workplace culture  

Toxic Parliaments And What Can Be Done About Them

This open access book shows how the #MeToo movement and revelations of sexual harassment and bullying have spurred on reform of the parliamentary workplace in four Westminster countries – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
Photo of women in Brazilian Parliament standing in a group with their right fists raised
Research   Political participation  

Representing women: What can we learn from Latin America?

Global Institute for Women’s Leadership report and panel discussion on representation of women in Latin American politics, the influence of gender quotas, and the effects of this representation on legislative processes that can be applied globally.

Read Report
Photo of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags with a 'play' symbol overlaid
Program Alum
First Nations  

Pathways to politics for First Nations women

A special information video for First Nations women. Learn how and why to apply for the Pathways to Politics program, and hear firsthand insights from program alums Donisha Duff OAM (Queensland Indigenous Business Network) and Sue-Anne Hunter (Deputy Chair Yoorrook Justice Commission). Co-presented with Politics in Colour.

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Colourful illustration of four people. One is holding a lightbulb, one is colding a laptop. There are speech bubbles around them.
Local government  

Localé Learning: resources for local government

Localé Learning is a non-partisan, New South Wales based political leadership accelerator that provides support, skills training and professional development to local councillors and candidates.

Access Toolkit
Blue background with washed out photo of a rainbow over Parliament House. In front there are profile photos of three women in circular frames
Program Alum
LGBTQ+  

LGBTQI+ political panel: breaking barriers and building allies

Representation of LGBTQI+ people in our parliaments is slowly increasing, but it doesn’t yet reflect the rich diversity of the community itself. This Pathways to Politics discussion brought together Minister the Hon Harriet Shing, Pride Centre Director Dr Judy Tang & Candidate for Kew Lucy Skelton to share their reflections and suggestions for ways to contribute to positive cultural change.

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Illustration of a woman using a laptop, surrounded by negative messages
Workplace culture   Social media  

eSafety resources for women

Women are more likely than men to be the target of gendered abuse that happens online or uses digital technology. Some women, such as politicians and political candidates, face tech-based abuse because they have an active online presence ‘in the spotlight’ as part of their working life. Here are some resources for women from Australia’s independent regulator for online safety.

Access Toolkit
Close up of a placard at a rally with the words "THE FUTURE IS FEMALE"
Youth   Political participation  

Political power in Australia is still overwhelmingly male. But beneath the despair, there’s reason for hope

The obstacles in women’s way are affecting the political aspirations of the next generation of female leaders. But there’s a glimmer of hope – mostly found online.
3D drawing of two hands holding a red love hear, with the words: "A Political Hope - From the Apolitical Foundation"
Interview   Political participation  

Podcast: A Political Hope

A podcast exploring how we get the courageous, trusted and ethical leaders we need for the 21st century – from the Apolitical Foundation.

Listen to Audio
Four diverse women smiling, two of them shaking hands
Research   Political participation   Family  

Understanding public support for policies aimed at gender parity in politics: A cross-national experimental study

Focusing on Australia, Canada and the United States, this study examines public opinion on non-quota mechanisms to bolster women’s political participation.

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Photo of five women in colourful business dress posing for a photo in front of a podium and banner advertising The University of Western Australia
Political participation  

Opportunities for women in politics: Insights from Carmen Lawrence AO, Senator Linda Reynolds & Kate Chaney MP

Keynote speakers Professor Carmen Lawrence AO, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, Kate Chaney MP and Carol Schwartz AO offer profound insights and perspectives on the myriad challenges and opportunities for women politics.

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Photo of a young woman in business clothes standing still in a crowd of moving people
Family   Local government   Research  

What’s the secret to attracting more women into politics? Give them more resources

New research shows Australians are supportive of giving women politicians a range of resources such as better compensation, childcare and housekeeping funds, and more flexibility with online meetings, to help keep them in office.

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Illustration of multicultural female politicians against a dark yellow background
Political participation   Social media  

International research: Gender norms and women’s exclusion from local governance

How gender norms shape women’s engagement with, influence over, and experiences in local governance institutions and decision-making processes and how they can be transformed.

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Photo of US presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a middle aged woman with long brown hair, smiling and wearing a cream coloured jumper, in a busy bar
Research   Campaigning  

Women presidential candidates like Nikki Haley are more likely to change their positions to reach voters − but this doesn’t necessarily pay off

US researchers show that women presidential candidates, more than the men they run against, often speak differently to different audiences in pursuit of moderation and common ground, and tend to shift their strategies and messages in response to criticism. And they often pay a price for it.

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Trawalla Foundation
University of Melbourne

University Partners
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QUT
UNSW
Charles Darwin University

University of Canberra
The University of Adelaide
University of Tasmania
The University of Western Australia