Category IDPwD   Show all

• IDPwD Panel Discussion: Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress

  

  

  Join us to mark the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 (12:00–1:00pm AEST) in our online forum hosted by Griffith Business School’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Inclusive Futures Reimagining Disability, and The Hopkins Centre.

  This year’s theme Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress, offers an important opportunity to explore how we can create more inclusive communities as we head towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  In Australia, one in five people experience disability and related barriers to meaningful employment. In this discussion, our panel will consider both the opportunities and challenges of fostering disability inclusion in Southeast Queensland—particularly in the areas of education, employment, volunteering, and business. We’ll also explore how mega-sporting events like Brisbane 2032 can be leveraged as tools for long-term social and economic progress, rather than producing only short-term, event-based opportunities.

  You will hear from:

  Lisa Cox OAM is an author, university researcher, TEDx speaker and internationally awarded thought leader. Her work is focused on epistemic disruption, leveraging the power and influence of industries like media and advertising to change social attitudes about disability while positively impacting social outcomes, like employment.
  
  Dr. Maria Golubovskaya, Lecturer, Griffith Business School – researching youth and disability employment, hospitality work, and service worker wellbeing.
  
  Brad Kinsela GAICD brings an extensive background as disability and social inclusion champion, qualified access consultant and board member/company director, Adjunct Industry Fellow at Griffith University, as well as an extensive career as a 'former' senior executive in the Government for over 26 years, including the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority. Coming from a background of disability and human rights advocacy, lobbying, and community-based human services and practice, it is not surprising that Brad has maintained his connections, profile, and commitment to living in a society that values, services and embraces all members of community

  Separate from his public policy life, his love for family and friends and embracing the outdoor wonders of the world has seen Brad take his passion to have accessibility and inclusion as the 'norm' rather than the exception has taken him to many places, most notably Barcelona and Paris in 2025 during the Paralympic Games.

  Associate Professor Popi Sotiriadou is a lecturer and researcher with the Griffith Business School and a distinguished international expert in managing high-performance sport and sports education. Her work focuses particularly on advancing women in sport, accessibility, and inclusive practices that ensure equitable participation and representation. Popi is the founder of Vision for Motion, an innovative app that promotes physical activity, wellbeing, and community connection for people with visual impairments.

  The discussion will be moderated by Dr Kelsey Chapman, Research Fellow with Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, whose work explores effective service delivery for people with disability, particularly in transport and health.

  Accessibility will be a priority, with live captions available throughout the session. This event will also be recorded and shared post-event, along with a full transcript for those who could not attend via YouTube and our website.

  👉 Register now to be part of this important conversation: https://shorturl.at/Nx5Qk

  More information

  Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
  inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au

  Dr Millicent Kennelly – Griffith Business School
  m.kennelly@griffith.edu.au

  
  

  

  
  

• Inclusive Futures Disability Research Writing Competition 2024

  

  🌟 Celebrating Inclusive Futures and Outstanding Research! 🌟
  
  

  On this International Day of People with Disability, we’re thrilled to announce the winner of the Inclusive Futures Disability Research Writing Competition 2024—a celebration of research that reimagines a world where disability is no barrier.

  
  

  Judges' Choice Winner:
  
  Ms Casey Doherty, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
  Her paper, Reimagining Protest: Artivism in the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Community, demonstrates how art and activism intersect to drive inclusion and understanding. Casey’s compelling narrative and accessible communication earned her the AUD$500 prize and a feature in our annual digital compendium.

  
  

  
  

  ✨ Short-listed entrants:
  

  • Mrs Rhonda Beggs, Metro South Health
  • Ms Belinda Coleman, RMIT / Aurecon
  • Sarah Fulton, Redland Hospital, Metro South Health
  • Dr Catherine Maitland, Australian Disability Network
  • Mrs Laura Ryan, University of Queensland
  • Dr Rebecca Soole, University of Queensland
  • Ms Jane Wardlaw, University of Tasmania
  • Mrs Louise White, Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University
    
    

  Communicating complex research in an accessible way, is a challenging but essential skill. This competition highlights the importance of not only advancing academic knowledge, but also ensuring it reaches those who can benefit most.

  We encourage all participants to continue honing their communication skills alongside their research. Accessible storytelling is a powerful tool for driving understanding and advancing disability inclusion.

  A heartfelt thank you to all entrants for their impactful contributions. Together, we’re breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future. 💡
  
  We would like to thank our sponsor The Hopkins Centre, who kindly donated the prize money, and our esteemed judges Dr Talitha Kingsmill, Dr Monique Lewis, Dr Faith Valencia-Forrester, Lisa Cox, Sara Shams and our moderator Delena Amsters.

  Interested in next year’s competition? Learn more about how your research could make a difference!

  Follow us on social media and join our Inclusive Futures Mailing List for updates:
  https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au

  Visit our Inclusive Futures Hub to read the Judges’ Choice and short listed entries.

  https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/inclusive-futures-research-writing-competition

  For more information email: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au

  
  

  
  

• Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) established in 2023!

  

  

  
  

  The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) is a cross-institutional alliance uniting disability researchers from Queensland universities and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration for disability research in Queensland.

  The QDRN will partner with statewide peak disability organisations, government, industry, and community in projects focused on inclusive research with quality co-design at every stage of the research process.

  QDRN members are committed to the long-term goal of improving the lives, social and economic participation of people with disability, by working together in sustainable, collaborative research partnerships.

  

  QDRN Researcher Spotlight: Dr Talitha Kingsmill, Research Fellow
  
  Dr Talitha Kingsmill is a Non-Executive Director, consultant, educator and solicitor with 25 years’ experience across the private, public and NFP sectors in law, education, educational leadership, research, digital citizenship, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and policy development.

  Talitha is a Research Fellow in the Inclusive Futures Team at Griffith University and is the Queensland Disability Research Network Lead.

  "For me, IDPwD represents a day for global reflection and informed action on achieving authentic inclusion. It’s an opportunity to amplify possibilities – to reimagine accessible, inclusive, co-designed communities. The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) is committed to the long-term goal of improving the lives, social and economic participation of people with disability, by working together in sustainable, collaborative research partnerships. The QDRN is an impactful way to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals for inclusive, quality, sustainable education, employment and communities for all people. "

  Dr Kingsmill is working with Prof. Elizabeth Kendall to establish and develop the Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN).

  For more information or to see how you or your organisation can become involved, email qdrn@griffith.edu.au or t.kingsmill@griffith.edu.au

  
  

  
  

• International Day of People with Disability – Empowering Tomorrow: Inclusive Futures researchers unite to rescue and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Part 1)

  

  Join us as we celebrate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)!

  This week, on 3 December, we acknowledge IDPwD, a significant day recognised by the United Nations. The IDPwD program aligns with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31 and aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. The United Nations Theme for IDPwD 2023 is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’

  Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability – the Griffith University disability research beacon, addresses the core United Nations principle of Leave No-one Behind that underpins all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We reduce inequalities through partnerships with community and industry to provide inclusive infrastructure and innovation that can improve quality of life for people with disability.

  Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability draws on dozens of research experts who specialise in disability across all stages of life and societal levels. They bring expertise in all types of disabilities, chronic conditions and a wide array of methods and practices.

  To mark this occasion, we shine a spotlight on researchers and projects dedicated to uniting in action, striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disability.

  Dr Paula Mowbray, Senior Lecturer and Researcher

  Researcher Spotlight: Dr Paula Mowbray
  

  Dr Paula Mowbray is a Senior Lecturer within the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources at Griffith University. Paula’s research focuses on human resource management and the HR practices and leader behaviours that contribute to high performance cultures, employee engagement and inclusive environments that foster employee participation and involvement.

  Paula has been involved in research and consultancy projects concerning employee voice and participation within high performance organisations; employee engagement; organisational culture; leadership development; executive performance management; and company values and behaviours' frameworks. Previously, Paula was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing.

  Paula holds a PhD in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of International Business (Hons) from Griffith University. Prior to her academic career, Paula worked across a diverse range of organisations including the public sector, multinationals, management consulting, and small businesses. Paula has experience across a broad range of industries including energy, transport, agribusiness, food and beverage, manufacturing, education, aged care and online business.

  “IDPwD is an important day to highlight the unique issues that PwD face on a daily basis within the workplace. For many PwD, finding and sustaining meaningful employment is a challenge due to the many barriers they face. Yet, meaningful employment and work without discrimination and stigma should be the experience of everyone, regardless of disability. My research on meaningful employment for people with disability in Queensland identifies ways we can promote decent work and economic growth, while ensuring we reduce inequalities for PwD. In doing so, it addresses several SDGs and ensures we can create more meaningful and inclusive work experiences for PwD.”

  
  

  Meaningful Employment for Queenslanders with Disability

  In 2023, we conducted a research project for the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. This research aimed to understand the experience of employment, the barriers and success factors that can support Queenslanders with disability to work, and the way in which we can generate meaningful pathways to success and leadership.

  Meaningful employment is a fundamental aspect of life for most people, but particularly for people with disability, as it can be a source of confidence, sense of purpose, and self-worth. Employment enables people to feel productive, fulfilled, and valued members of society, and provides a foundation for self-development and financial independence.

  As a result of our research, we were able to identify strategies that could reduce the barriers to meaningful employment and practices that could enhance the employment experience of people with disability in Queensland.

  This research contributes to SDG 8 (Decent work and Economic Growth) by promoting inclusive and accessible work environments that ensure decent work opportunities for individuals with disabilities, with ways to improve workplace policies and foster equal opportunities, ultimately fostering economic growth and sustainable development.

  We also contributed to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by highlighting the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities and providing strategies to reduce inequalities in the workplace.

  The report can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/5090

  For more information, contact Dr Paula Mowbray: p.mowbray@griffith.edu.au

  Griffith University PhD Candidate and Researcher Emily Lu

  
  

  Researcher Spotlight: Emily Lu, PhD Candidate and Researcher

  "International Day of People with Disability is a time to celebrate what people with disability have accomplished with respect to employment and career development; It is also a time to listen to people with disability about what we as researchers can do to empower their ability to thrive at work.

  “My research explores the conditions which empower the ability of people with disability to thrive in the tourism and hospitality workforce. Through participatory action research in which workers with disability conduct research with me in an inclusive manner, an exhibition will be designed and hosted with workers with disability to create awareness of the unique capabilities and strengths of them to a wider audience and inform policymakers and relevant stakeholders to consider what people with disability can do in tourism and hospitality workforce and provide a more inclusive and supportive organisational environment for workers with disability.”

  
  

  The Inclusive Voyage: Empowering People with Disabilities to Thrive in the Tourism and Hospitality Workforce

  People with disability account for 1.3 billion individuals, representing 1 in 6 of the global population. With such a significant number worldwide, people with disability tend to experience higher levels of unemployment compared to people without disability. As such, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 8.5 promotes full labour participation of people with disability on an equal basis with others, highlighting their rights for the opportunities to achieve decent work.

  Following this recognition, the tourism and hospitality sectors are embracing the untapped human resource group of people with disability to promote sustainable tourism, and to address the long-term labour shortage challenges which have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, existing studies in tourism and hospitality have predominantly focused on stigma and discrimination of people with disability’s employment from employers’ perspectives, however the research which explicitly articulates the unique strengths and capabilities of people with disability is notably absent from existing discourses.

  In response to the identified research gaps, this PhD research underpinned by the social model of disability, focuses on unearthing the invaluable traits and conditions which enable people with disability to thrive in the workforce, if social barriers are minimised. Specifically, this research will explore the meaning of thriving, from the perspective of workers with disability in the tourism and hospitality sectors by participatory action research.
  
  Please email Emily Lu at emily.lu2@griffithuni.edu.au if you would like to participate in, or know more about the research project.