Gender, Sexuality and Diversity Studies
Why do GSD Studies?
Gender Sexuality and Diversity Studies allows us to understand ourselves better - who we are, what we have and how we care for others as shaped by the time and place in which we live. In GSDS we study the ways in which individuals develop diverse forms of belonging, always within systems of social power and inequality. It enables us to participate in crucial public debates of the twenty first century. As we explore how we form relationships, sexual identities and negotiate families, GSDS also develops life skills to balance work with personal commitments.
GSDS maintains strong community connections and public commitments to matters of equity and social justice, enabling students to apply their education to practices for social transformation. By specialising in GSDS you will hone your skills in critical thinking, effective written and verbal communication, textual analysis, historical and sociological investigations, as well as legal and statistical interpretations. The interdisciplinary focus additionally provides students with a breadth of knowledge and range of skills applicable to all professional, public and personal life choices one makes after university study.
In the contemporary local and global climate, questions of citizenship, the merits of multiculturalism or diversity, and the policing of national borders are contentious. GSDS offers a chance to make your degree socially and politically applicable to living in our times. Becoming familiar with Gender, Sexuality and Diversity issues is not only essential for entering any field of professional life, but can enrich our personal lives and democratic participation in public life.
Careers
A major in GSDS is relevant to any business organization, education institution or corporation because it provides the capacity to analyse, explain and address areas of equity, social justice and diversity. As there is increased corporate and legal recognition that social differences among individuals affect the management, dynamics and well being of groups in organizations, an understanding of diversity issues is an essential component of all workplace training and professional engagements, especially for leadership positions.
Most likely employment areas include:
- social and policy planning
- human resource management
- teaching and education
- public relations and journalism
- political work
- human rights and equal opportunity
- community service and community development
More specialised career opportunities include a range of workplace positions concerned with ensuring human rights, welfare and equal opportunity for specific groups, ones whose opportunities and identities are shaped by differences of sex/gender, ethnicity/race, class, sexuality, nation and disability among others.
In the corporate sector, consultants and experts in gender, sexuality and diversity issues help facilitate workplace transformation regarding access, equity and the management of cultural diversity. In the public sector, many graduates in GSDS maintain their interest and commitment to equity and social justice by taking on advocacy, and diversity driven service provision and research roles in the community and social welfare fields. Career paths can involve research, policy making, advisory and advocacy roles in government departments such as Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Human Services, Families & Community Services, Indigenous Affairs or Immigration and Citizenship.
Where are they now?
Our graduates have moved into a variety of professional fields including teaching. Many are currently working in significant community positions including:
- Sarah Squire - the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission
- Tania Lienart - Institute of Family Studies and now the NSW Working Carers Support Gateway
- Kate Lappin - Amnesty, unions and the Equal Opportunity Commission
- Adele Murdolo and Seaja Chang with Working Women's Health
- Sandy Bell - Department of Human Services and YWCA
- Linda Memery - Council for Single Mothers and her Child
- Liz Connor the Greens
- Natasha Campo – research assistant, Arts, Monash University
- Catriona Elder – Senior Lecturer, Department of Socialogy & Social Policy, University of Sydney
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