Prevention in universities community of practice

The Our Watch prevention in universities national community of practice (CoP) is a collaborative professional network designed for prevention practitioners across Australian universities to form sector connections and strengthen capability, evidence-based practice, and momentum on work to prevent gender-based violence and advance gender equality.  

The series promotes practical implementation of the Educating for equalitymodel,while aligning with theNational Higher Education Code to Respond to and Prevent Gender-based Violence.

Each session is designed to align with each of the 3 key leversfor how universities can create change: 

• Session 1 Values and culture 
• Session 2 Structures, strategy and policies 
• Session 3 Prevention practice 

This CoP aims to: 

share implementation strategies in preventing gender-based violence in universities 

support innovation and build capacity for practitioners to implement intersectional primary prevention strategies 

support universities to ensure that actions are linked to systems-level, institution-wide change using all 3 key levers

share and reflect on the enablers and barriers and opportunities for preventing gender-based violence within the university context.

Who can participate?

This CoP is designed for staff who are either working in a dedicated prevention role, or who have new or potential responsibility over prevention-related initiatives. This CoP is suited to, but not limited to:

• prevention teams including Safer Communities teams 

• equity and diversity officers 

• university leadership (for example, managers, department heads, administrators, deans, faith/cultural leaders) 

• academic, research and teaching staff (particularly those focused on gender equality and violence prevention in higher education)

• professional staff (for example, HR, student services, cultural services, campus safety) 

• legal and compliance units within universities 

• university policymakers and governance bodies 

• staff involved in workplace culture, recruitment, promotion, and training

• university communications teams 

• people working in student affairs and support services 

• student leaders (including SRC representatives, students associations presidents, clubs and sports leaders, student accommodation leaders).

A maximum of 2 participants from each university can take part.

How will the program run? 

Three community of practice sessions will be held in 2026, each running for 2 hours. Sessions will be facilitated by Our Watch’s universities team, combining online learning and collaborative practice, including: 

• case study presentations related to the key levers of how universities can create change 

• guided questions, reflective practice and facilitated discussion 

• facilitated capacity and knowledge building activities, informed by adult learning principles 

• opportunity for peer-learning and collaborative resource sharing.

Contact, accessibility and other requirements

For any questions or further information, or for questions about access please contact universities@ourwatch.org.au.

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