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Social Justice Report

Social justice and social impact are central to our vision to be a leading public university of technology recognised for our global impact.

Students walking down the stairs to Alumni Green.

These values are embedded in our work with local and global communities to create positive social change.

This report highlights our key achievements and showcases some of the ongoing social impact work at UTS:

  • Our new UTS Pathways Plan: a sector-first approach to drive systemic change in broadening access to higher education for underrepresented groups.
  • Expanding our Humanitarian Scholarship Program: Increasing the number of scholarships – along with a comprehensive support program – available to people from asylum seeker backgrounds. UTS now has the largest cohort of students seeking asylum in Australia supported by a higher education institution.
  • UTS students as social impact agents: Through programs like SOUL, BUILD, Brennan Justice, and the Big Lift, students like Patricia Tolentino and Raghav Motani embody leadership in social impact.
  • Elsie Conference: Marking the 50th anniversary of Australia’s first women’s refuge, the Elsie Conference was chaired by Professor Anne Summers AO and celebrated the grit and resilience of the women’s movement in Australia.
  • Indigenous excellence and self-determination: UTS researchers released the second Gari Yala report tracking the psychosocial impact of racism at work, using Indigenous research methodology. Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research also worked in collaboration with the National Justice Project to establish the Call It Out platform, an independent, Indigenous-controlled platform distinct from traditional complaints and legal processes.
  • Fostering community engagement: the Community Engaged Symposium explored the value and impact of universities practising community engagement, promoting networks and building capacity for engaged scholarship.

Read the 2024 Social Justice Report

As we navigate an increasingly challenging landscape for universities, this report is a testament to the extraordinary work being done across our institution. I continue to be inspired by our staff, students and partners who are shaping a more just and equitable world. – Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President, UTS