Ivan Coyote and Jess Hill headline an unmissable Diversity Festival 2025 lineup to celebrate diversity and ignite bold conversations on equity, inclusion and belonging.
UNSW is preparing for its biggest Diversity Festival yet. Returning for its seventh year from Monday 22 to Friday 26 September, the festival has a packed program of free events, performances and workshops. UNSW students and staff, as well as members of the public, are invited to attend events across more than 20 venues at Kensington, Paddington, Canberra and Western Sydney campuses.
Diversity Festival empowers the UNSW community to lead conversations and engage with complex topics. Through open, respectful dialogue, participants will explore themes ranging from equity and identity to systemic change, creative expression and belonging.
“Each year, Diversity Festival offers more than just an event, it creates a welcoming and exciting space where we can explore the conversations that matter. In a world where equity, diversity and inclusion are questioned, standing together to uphold these principles continues to be critically important. The festival is a time to celebrate our differences, deepen our understanding, and enable and inspire connections for positive societal transformation.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our communities coming together, forging new shared stories and ways of being in the world together, exchanging perspectives and sparking ideas that lead to meaningful progress for all,” said Professor Bruce Watson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Societal Transformation & Equity.
A community-powered program
A record number of grant applications from across the University helped shape more than 50 student and staff-led events, reflecting UNSW’s ongoing passion and support for equity, diversity and inclusion.
Topics span gender equity, disability inclusion, neurodiversity, Indigenous rights, LGBTQIA+ pride, cultural inclusion and more, showcasing the diversity and expertise of our UNSW community.
Festival highlights
Take a look at just some of the events set to spark conversations that matter.
One woman a week: how do we end gendered violence?
In conversation with Jess Hill & Michael Salter
Despite Australia promising to end gendered violence within a generation, intimate partner abuse and domestic homicide rates are still rising – with at least one woman killed each week. Award-winning journalist Jess Hill leads this headline event exploring the bold and essential question: how can we end gendered violence? Can we end gendered violence?
Join us for a talk from Jess Hill, followed by a conversation and Q&A with UNSW expert Professor Michael Salter, chaired by Walkley-winning journalist Sarah Malik. Unpacking the complexities of the issue in Australia, this event promises one of the festival’s most urgent and timely conversations.
Wednesday 24 September, 6.30pm – Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia
Ivan Coyote: Playlist
An award-winning author, performer and musician, Ivan Coyote’s stories grapple with the complex and intensely personal topics of gender identity, family, class and queer liberation, but always with a generous heart and quick wit.
Combining Ivan’s equally hilarious and heartbreaking stories with long-time collaborator Clyde Petersen’s animations, this mix tape meets old-school slideshow follows Ivan on their journey from baby tomboy to masculine-appearing predominantly estrogen-based organism, onto life today as a trans person. Join Ivan for an evening beyond the binary with Playlist, followed by a chat with Yves Rees.
Thursday 25 September, 6.30pm – Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia | Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas
Diversity Festival’s Quad Takeover
The heart of campus comes alive with music, food and cultural celebration during Wednesday’s Quad Takeover. Enjoy live performances, art, free food, VR simulations and more, all showcasing the creativity and diversity of our students and staff.
Wednesday 24 September, 11am to 3pm – Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad)
Fierce Facts and Fabulous Acts
From brain-teasing questions to dazzling drag performances, this trivia and talent night is all about embracing the vibrant identities that make our community shine. Whether you're rolling deep with your own trivia crew or flying fabulously solo, we’ll make sure you’re matched with a table full of good vibes and great company.
Tuesday 23 September, 6pm – The Lounge, Kensington campus | Hosted by UNSW Law & Justice, Pride in Law, UNSW LawSoc and the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute.
More to explore
Is the pursuit of diversity and inclusion dead?
The Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW launches the festival program with a provocative discussion about the future of diversity and inclusion as core values in our society. Speakers Hugh de Kretser, Sally Sitou MP, Professor Nareen Young, Nick Bryant, Professor Justine Nolan and David Gonski AC respond to the question: does the purge of diversity and inclusion initiatives in the US and tectonic shifts in global politics signal the death knell for dreams of a more equal society here in Australia? How do we provide opportunity for all – not just in work but in society at large – and ensure the voices of those most in need are being heard?
Wednesday 10 September, 6pm – Meers Hall, Art Gallery of NSW
Join the conversation
With a vibrant, community-powered program of events, Diversity Festival 2025 celebrates the people, stories and ideas that make the UNSW community.
Discover what’s on, invite your colleagues, friends and family, explore the full program and get your tickets now!
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