Gender, sexuality focus of new centre

Almost 130 years after the University of Adelaide made history by admitting women to academic courses, a new $300,000 research centre focusing on gender issues has been launched at the University.

The Centre for Research on Gender will embrace social topics, health and work issues from the perspective of both sexes, as well as investigating the role that sexuality plays in people's lives.

The centre will continue a tradition of innovation and progressive thinking at the University of Adelaide.

In 1881, Adelaide was the first Australian university to admit women to its courses, just 13 years before South Australia became the first state in the country - and one of the first in the world - to grant women the right to vote.

The University also graduated Australia's first female surgeon, Laura Fowler, and the country's first female Queen's Counsel and State Governor, Dame Roma Mitchell.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha said the Centre for Research on Gender would build on the University's commitment to promote social justice, equality and diversity in its own workplace and the wider community.

"We aim to develop the study of gender relations, drawing particularly on feminist, sexuality and masculinity studies, producing research which is relevant to both men and women," Professor McWha said.

Between 1983 and 2000 the University was home to the highly acclaimed Research Centre for Women's Studies. Professor Susan Magarey was foundation director of this centre and also initiated the internationally renowned Australian Feminist Studies journal.

In 2007 the University of Adelaide also established the Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, which aims to help men live longer, happier and healthier lives.

South Australia's Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon. Gail Gago, along with SA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Linda Matthews and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, the Hon. Michelle Lensink, were among those who attended the centre's launch.

Story by Candy Gibson