GI Convenor's start of the year message
GI Convenor's start of the year message
Wednesday 5 February 2020

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Gender Institute,

Welcome back from the long — and often very trying — summer break. During this period of bushfire, smoke, heat and hail, affecting each and every one of us in this region in some way, I hope you have been able to stay safe and well. We have had to manage difficult conditions at ANU, so bear with us if you have been waiting for a reply from the Gender Institute team — we are slowly getting back up to speed after major campus and office disruptions throughout January. 
 
January has also brought good news, however, and we particularly celebrate Professor Margaret Jolly, who has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Margaret was awarded this honour for her contributions to education through distinguished work in Gender and Pacific Studies. Her many contributions at ANU include being one of the ‘founding mothers’ of the Gender Institute and convening it for three years. This is a richly deserved acknowledgment of a long career of exceptional service and achievement. 
 
This year saw marked (and long overdue) improvements in the rates of women’s recognition in Australia’s honours. We also congratulate from ANU, Professor Rae Frances, Emeritus Professor Joan Beaumont, and Dr Adele Chynoweth on becoming Members of the Order of Australia and Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell on becoming an Officer (AO).
 
This disaster filled summer reminds us of the importance of wide-reaching networks and strong, supportive communities like the one we form through the Gender Institute. We plan during the coming year to bring you rich reflections upon and inventive responses to our changing world, and to explore the highly significant place of gender relations in every aspect of the challenges we face. The extraordinary vibrancy of gender research at ANU and the breadth of discussion of issues is evident in our first newsletter listing of the year, which I hope you’ll enjoy reading.
 
Let’s come together in 2020 with renewed optimism for our work and our capacities to take action.
 
Warm regards,
Fiona
Convenor, ANU Gender Institute