Prevention in universities community of practice

The Our Watch prevention in universities national community of practice (CoP) is a collaborative professional network designed for prevention practitioners across Australian universities to form sector connections and strengthen capability, evidence-based practice, and momentum on work to prevent gender-based violence and advance gender equality.  

The series promotes practical implementation of the Educating for equality model, while aligning with the National Higher Education Code to Respond to and Prevent Gender-based Violence.

Each session is designed to align with each of the 3 key levers for how universities can create change: 

• Session 1 Values and culture 
• Session 2 Structures, strategy and policies 
• Session 3 Prevention practice 

This CoP aims to: 

share implementation strategies in preventing gender-based violence in universities 

support innovation and build capacity for practitioners to implement intersectional primary prevention strategies 

support universities to ensure that actions are linked to systems-level, institution-wide change using all 3 key levers

share and reflect on the enablers and barriers and opportunities for preventing gender-based violence within the university context.

Who can participate?

This CoP is designed for staff who are either working in a dedicated prevention role, or who have new or potential responsibility over prevention-related initiatives. This CoP is suited to, but not limited to:

• prevention teams including Safer Communities teams 

• equity and diversity officers 

• university leadership (for example, managers, department heads, administrators, deans, faith/cultural leaders) 

• academic, research and teaching staff (particularly those focused on gender equality and violence prevention in higher education)

• professional staff (for example, HR, student services, cultural services, campus safety) 

• legal and compliance units within universities 

• university policymakers and governance bodies 

• staff involved in workplace culture, recruitment, promotion, and training

• university communications teams 

• people working in student affairs and support services 

• student leaders (including SRC representatives, students associations presidents, clubs and sports leaders, student accommodation leaders).

A maximum of 2 participants from each university can take part.

How will the program run? 

Three community of practice sessions will be held in 2026, each running for 2 hours. Sessions will be facilitated by Our Watch’s universities team, combining online learning and collaborative practice, including: 

• case study presentations related to the key levers of how universities can create change 

• guided questions, reflective practice and facilitated discussion 

• facilitated capacity and knowledge building activities, informed by adult learning principles 

• opportunity for peer-learning and collaborative resource sharing.

Contact, accessibility and other requirements

For any questions or further information, or for questions about access please reach out to Rosie: universities@ourwatch.org.au.

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