A week of free in-person, online and hybrid events to ignite important conversations and celebrate the diversity of our community!
UNSW’s Diversity Festival brings students and staff together for a week of free activities, workshops, performances and more. The Festival will spark thought-provoking conversations about how to create a more inclusive society.
This year’s program includes over 30 events, celebrating the diversity, creativity and talent of our community.
Each year, students and staff from across the University collaborate to deliver a festival that is truly community-driven. This year’s program features contributions from a range of faculties, divisions, institutes, clubs, societies, the SRC and Arc.
Events you may be interested in!
Click on the events you are interested in to find out more.
Monday-Thursday
“My Name Is…” Activation
Community Stall | Monday 16 September | 10am – 2pm | Library Walkway, UNSW Kensington
Many people with non-Anglo names face stigma and discrimination, often feeling alienated in everyday situations. Whether it’s in the coffee line, during class, or seeing a red underline under their name, marked as ‘incorrectly spelled’, we see how some names – and people – are made to feel different. This type of subtle micro-aggression can make anyone feel excluded.
This activation, “My Name is…”, aims to decolonise our understanding of names and start conversations to create a space where everyone feels seen and heard.
Share your story or dive into the experiences of others. Let’s celebrate the rich diversity here at UNSW.
“My Name is…” is part of the ADA Stories: Reimagining Inclusion on Campus project, an initiative that aims to make UNSW a more inclusive place.
No registration needed.
Organised by UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.
Tuesday
Deaf Awareness Workshop
Workshop | Tuesday 17 September | 12pm – 2pm | Rooms 5 and 6, Roundhouse
Whether you’re looking to improve your communication skills or simply want to learn more about the Deaf community, this workshop is for you. The session offers the opportunity to learn from a Deaf person with the support of an Auslan interpreter.
In this 2-hour workshop, you will:
- Learn effective communication strategies for interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals
- Discover ways to be respectful, inclusive, and accessible in your everyday interactions
- Get introduced to some basic Auslan to help bridge communication gaps
This workshop is designed to be informative and enjoyable, providing you with practical skills that make a difference.
Organised by Arc in collaboration with Signpedia.
Wednesday
Connections
Interactive and Collaborative Art | Wednesday 18 September | 4pm – 6pm | Foyer, John Niland Scientia Building
The Peer Connections Team have carefully curated a space for exploring how we connect. Join us in Connections, an interactive and collaborative art piece that revolves around one key theme: human connections and how we make them.
Sweet and savoury snacks and a tea station will be provided, so drop by, contribute to any or all three of the pieces and join us in igniting broader conversations about how we can foster a more inclusive society over a bite and a warm drink after a day of study and work.
Organised by the Peer Connections Team in the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Student Success Division.
Clubs Takeover
Clubs event | Wednesday 18 September | 11am – 3pm | Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad Lawn)
Get ready for the biggest Clubs Takeover yet! As part of Diversity Festival, we’re doubling the fun by featuring 10 amazing clubs. This special edition of Clubs Takeover is all about celebrating the rich diversity of our student body!
Join us on the Quad, where our vibrant societies will be taking over to host a variety of fun and engaging activities. This is your chance to explore a variety of cultures, meet new people, and celebrate the unique experiences that make our community so special.
Enjoy a day filled with exciting activities and free food. Whether you’re a regular at Clubs Takeover or a first-timer, this event is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Diversity Festival and connect with fellow students.
Organised by Arc.
Meet Diversified
Stall | Wednesday 18 September | 11am – 4pm | Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad Lawn)
Explore neurodiversity at UNSW with the Diversified project! Build your own sensory profile, learn about neurodivergence, discover the accommodations and support available to you, and grab a Sunflower Invisible Disability Lanyard. Plus, find out how you can join our community of neurodivergent staff and students making UNSW a more inclusive place for everyone.
Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself or an ally, this is your chance to connect, learn, and help create a more inclusive UNSW.
No registration needed.
What’s your Superpower?
Craft stall | Wednesday 18 September | 11am – 2pm | Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad Lawn)
Join us on the Helen Maguire (Quad) Lawn to claim your free bucket hat and make it truly yours by adding patches and badges.
Our second year of What’s Your Superpower? is to raise awareness for Neurodiversity and Mental Health.
Laugh with us, talk about allyship and spend some time in our picnic circle. Bring your favorite snacks, relax, and soak in the positivity (and sunshine!)
No registration needed.
Pride in Engineering Morning Tea
Social event | Wednesday 18 September | 10am – 12pm | Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building
Students are invited to join a collaboration between 5 engineering student societies, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community at UNSW and connecting queer students to the wider engineering industry.
There will be speeches and a panel with speakers from a range of companies, followed by networking and morning tea.
Organised by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Society (CEVSOC).
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Quiz : Register Here
Stall | Wednesday 18 September | 11am – 2pm | Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad Lawn)
Fun Meets Awareness! 🌈
Decode cool visual clues and dive into thought-provoking trivia. Challenge yourself, learn something new, and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community at UNSW!
Best of all, enjoy an abundant supply of enamel rainbow badges, stickers, and wristbands, available for all attendees.
No registration needed.
Organised by UNSW Business School EDI Student Reps.
Thursday
Anti-racism @ UNSW student training
Training workshop | Thursday 19 September | 12pm – 2pm | Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building
Delivered in partnership with Kind Enterprises, this session will build cross-cultural capability, racial literacy, and racial equity competencies for UNSW students.
The program has been designed to instil advanced cultural awareness and create a culturally sensitive and racially literate learning environment where all students can confidently and competently discuss and address themes of culture, race, bias, and cohesion.
This session is open to all current UNSW students.
Organised by EDI in the Division of Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement.
Intercultural Conversations on Dating
Panel discussion | Thursday 19 September | 5pm – 6:30pm | AGSM Courtyard Café
What’s something you want to know about dating in Australia? Want to know the do’s and don’ts from a panel who has learnt the hard way?
Join us where you’ll hear from a diverse panel of international students who will openly share their dating experiences here, shedding light on the joys and challenges of cross-cultural relationships. Whether you’re in a new relationship here in Australia, or trying to understand the modern mysteries of dating, all international students are welcome to come along.
This free event will feature food, fun and freebies, but registrations are essential.
Organised by the Health Promotion Unit, from PVC Student Success.
For more SEXtember events, visit here.
Friday
Global Sport | The Big Racquet
Social sport tournament | Friday 20 September | 9am – 4pm | UNSW Village Green
Join us for a fun day at this friendly racket sports competition. The event will be a doubles tournament, so you can enter as a team or pair up with new friends on the day!
The games will be played in 2-hour blocks. Rackets and all necessary equipment will be provided, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm! Between matches, refuel with a free BBQ; plus, exciting prizes are up for grabs!
Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, this tournament is all about having a great time.
A draw will be made once registration closes. Each sport will have its own draw, and you will receive this via email.
We can’t wait to see you on the court!
Organised by Arc.
