Dr. Erika K. Smith (they/her) from the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University is a queer academic of Japanese and British heritage (hafu) and recognises their privileges from living and working on stolen land. Erika’s PhD research explored the proposition that Australian representations of the Kokoda Track and WWII support and maintain colonial amnesia in Australia and perpetuate national myths, like ‘Australian identity’ and ‘Australian values’. Her research interests include diverse genders and sexualities research, social justice education, anti-colonial studies, and feminisms. Her current research project explores student-to-academic sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying across Australian universities. Erika’s recent competitive funding/award successes include the 2024 Western Sydney University Researcher Development Award Women’s Fellowship, 2024 Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Development Scholarship, and the 2023 Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor’s Gender Equity Fund.
Dr. Erika Smith
Presentation Title: An investigation into student-to-academic sexual harassment in Australian universities
Western Sydney University, Australia
Past Speaker