Diversity Practitioners Association Events
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Events
Each Diversity Practitioners Association event held in Brisbane or as a virtual session is designed to enable every attendee to learn something, meet someone and take away something useful.
We value diversity of thought and welcome vibrant discussion and views.
Our event schedule outlines the key topics we’re covering and is subject to change.
Want to be involved in a DPA event? Reach out to us at our contact form.
Past Diversity Practitioners Association Events
Some of our past online events have been recorded for members only. Members can access recordings to these events by logging in to the Members Resource Hub.
IIf you’re not currently a DPA Member and would like to access past recordings of events, you can sign up for instant access today.

Reconciliation Action Plans: Faith Taking to Faith Making
Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have been around since 2006 and today over 2700 organisations have a RAP.
Join us in conversation with Melanie Grills as she draws on her significant experience in the establishing and delivering of RAPs.
In this discussion, we will unpack the power of RAPs to contribute significant societal change and explore what gives them legitimacy as a tool of change rather than becoming another artifact of tokenism.
Lunch will be served following the event at 1:00pm, please advise of dietary requirements as well as accessibility needs upon registration so we can accommodate.
This session will include an interactive Q&A, all attendees…

Members networking event
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
Members encouraged to bring their questions along to share and are welcome to stay for as little or long as possible between 7:30am and 9:00am. If you’re caring for a little one on this date, you’re welcome to bring them along.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Members networking event
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to have a drink and connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
We invite our members to bring along a ‘plus one’ to this event: a colleague or friend to share in our conversations, we’d love to meet them! Say for as little or long as possible between 4:30 - 6:00pm.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Respect at Work: from compliant to leading practice, how we can create a genuine culture of respect in our workplaces?
The DPA have teamed up with Workplace Respect to bring you a practical, inspiring session on creating a genuine culture of respect in our workplaces.
As practitioners we need to know how to meet our positive duty obligation to provide a safe, harassment-free workplace, and we want to understand: what does great look like? How can we build our maturity beyond merely complying with our obligations, and into leading practice?
The team at Workplace Respect will take us through a practical, in-person workshop including:

Members networking event
Come sit down with us IRL (that’s In Real Life for those of us not down with the lingo!) and break bread. We have a lot to catch up on.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Masterclass: Introduction to Intersectional Frameworks + DPA AGM
The Diversity Practitioners Association is proud to present Nidhi Kalaiya, Partnerships and Engagement Lead, Logit Australia, for our final 2023 Masterclass Introduction to Intersectional Frameworks.
In this workshop, you will understand the historical context of the term “Intersectionality”, why it is important and how an intersectional lens can shape a more equitable world. The material covered will provide diversity practitioners and key decision makers an understanding the impact of intersectionality in various contexts, and provide the tools to apply an intersectional framework to policies, practices, data analysis, policies, and research.

Members Coffee Catch-Up
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
Members encouraged to bring their questions along to share and are welcome to stay for as little or long as possible between 7:30am and 9:30am. If you’re caring for a little one on this date, you’re welcome to bring them along.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Member Roundtable: Turning data insights into action
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to join an in-person roundtable discussion on turning diversity and inclusion metrics and data into action.
A key skill for D&I practitioners is creating data-driven strategies that drive real change, harness opportunities and address inequality. A strong evidence-base is also one of the best ways to prevent subjective decisions by sponsors and collaborators. But what is evidence? For a time-poor practitioner, what is a sound set of metrics in 2023 and the best way to validate them against the daily experience of employees? Well also share tips for DEI planning and modelling.

What DEI leaders need to know about Artificial Intelligence, with Tracey Spicer
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing work and life as we know it. 2023 has seen a range of new AI tools become readily accessible to consumers, including ChatGPT and Google’s new search tool, Bard. However, many of these tools are built using historical data that’s riddled with bias, and as we begin integrating them into work and life, a significant new risk to diversity, equity and inclusion is emerging.

Member Roundtable: Supporting Workplaces Through the Voice Referendum
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to join a virtual roundtable discussion on supporting workplaces through The Voice referendum.
As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a referendum will be held between October and December 2023 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. You can read more about…

Body Size: The Last Frontier of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
DEI practitioners, leaders and advocates are often faced with navigating extremely sensitive topics. Our work is about understanding how the deeply personal characteristics of who we are (ethnicity, sexuality, disability - to name a few) impact experiences of inclusion, bias and discrimination at work.
Yet, one topic has remained taboo and glaringly absent from DEI agendas: body size.
With one in five…

Members Coffee Catch-Up
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
Members encouraged to bring their questions along to share and are welcome to stay for as little or long as possible between 7:30am and 9:30am. If you’re caring for a little one on this date, you’re welcome to bring them along.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Dr Juliet Bourke on Interpersonal Inclusion
The Diversity Practitioners Association is proud to present Dr Juliet Bourke for an interactive exploration of her PhD research on interpersonal inclusion between colleagues: the small behaviours that foster individual performance in project teams.
While much has been said about the potential of diversity and inclusion to drive business results, and the criticality of inclusive leadership, there’s been little exploration of the dynamics between coworkers in driving inclusion and performance… until now.
Juliet’s research examines the nature of inclusion between peers in workplace teams revealing: Click to read more…

Members Coffee Catch Up
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
Members encouraged to bring their questions along to share and are welcome to stay for as little or long as possible between 7:30am and 9:30am. If you’re caring for a little one on this date, you’re welcome to bring them along.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Authentic Engagement with First Nations peoples and communities
Join us as we celebrate Human Rights Month this December–a virtual lunch with Adjunct Professor Sandra Creamer AM and seasoned practitioner Neville Hoehne.
Many organisations aim to create meaningful relationships with First Nations peoples through respected community organisations, First Nations-led businesses, Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs), or with local Custodians or Elders.
In our final event for 2022, Sandra and Neville will help us understand guiding principles and practical steps in building partnerships with First Nations communities. They will also share their reflections on the role of employers in advancing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Queensland Path to Treaty. Click to read more…

Diversity Practitioners Association AGM
Diversity Practitioners Association Members are encouraged to attend the DPA's Annual General Meeting.
What to expect: completion of the association's formal business and the opportunity for members to connect and provide input into the 2023 calendar of events.
Agenda:
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Presidents Report on DPA's 2022 Activities
3. Financial Report
4. Election of the 2023 Committee
5. Discussion of DPA's 2023 Events (preliminary ideas for input)
6. General Business
7. Close
Thank you to DPA Sponsors, Anglo American for hosting an in-person opportunity to join the Annual General Meeting in their offices. Details to attend this event in person, or virtually via Zoom have been emailed to all members.

2022 DPA Special event
The Diversity Practitioners Association is proud to present a half-day, practical, skill-building workshop for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners and advocates with Dr Michael Flood and Kristy Macfarlane.
This event will combine research-based technical knowledge with practical strategies to equip attendees to progress the implementation of D&I initiatives within the organisations they work with. Our experts will guide us through a contemporary examination of: Click to read more…

In Conversation with Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist, Katie Kelly OAM
In conversation with Australian Paralympic Gold Medalist Katie Kelly OAM. In this 75-minute deep dive with the two times paralympic athlete we will discuss her experience living with a degenerative condition, Usher Syndrome (resulting in gradual loss of hearing and eyesight), and her passion for providing sporting grants to help young Australians living with a disability access sport. Katie established Sport Access Foundation in 2017, a registered listed charity to help deliver this dream. Click to read more…

Members Coffee Catch Up
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
Members encouraged to bring their questions along to share and are welcome to stay for as little or long as possible between 7:30am and 9:30am. If you’re caring for a little one on this date, you’re welcome to bring them along.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Members Coffee Catch-Up
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to
have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

Contemporary D&I Strategies Masterclass
The Diversity Practitioners Association is proud to host this masterclass with Dr Katie Spearritt (Diversity Partners) and Josh Griffin (SBS) on contemporary D&I strategies
Many organisations have now embraced the importance of diversity and inclusion in unlocking higher employee engagement, increased innovation, improved performance, and more. So how do we build a contemporary D&I strategy that is capable of realising those benefits for the organisations we work with? In this discussion, we’ll explore….. click to read more

Member roundtable: successful D&I events
In this virtual discussion, Diversity Practitioners Association members will together explore how to celebrate D&I occasions with meaning & impact. Come along ready to share your thoughts.

Members Coffee Catch-Up
Diversity Practitioners Association members are invited to an this informal networking event - an opportunity to
have a coffee or some breakfast, plus connect with other DEI practitioners and advocates.
A calendar invitation with all the relevant details has been sent directly to members.

DPA Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Diversity Practitioners Association will be held on Tuesday 7 December 2021, 4:00pm at the Community Meeting Room (ground floor) of Brisbane City Council Brisbane Square Library, 266 George St, Brisbane, 4000.

In Conversation with Elizabeth Broderick
Join us in conversation with Elizabeth Broderick AO, Australia’s longest-serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner, founder and convenor of the Champions of Change, and current Chair-Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls.

DPA Members Networking Breakfast
This informal get-together is an opportunity to stop by, have a coffee or some breakfast, plus meet and connect with other D&I practitioners and advocates. It’s guaranteed to be the best inclusion conversation going around on a Friday morning.
DPA members will receive a calendar invitation directly.

How organisations can support mental health in the workplace
The Diversity Practitioners Association is excited to host Naomi Armitage from Humanology, and Nic Kelly from Anglo American to share their experiences with supporting mental health in the workplace.
While the taboos are starting to be shed from mental health conversations, there is work to do to move from acceptance to genuine inclusion at work. In this discussion we will explore mental health as an invisible disability at work, and the role we can all play as inclusion practitioners and advocates in fostering an environment of belonging at work.

DPA Members Networking Drinks
This informal get together is an opportunity for DPA members to stop by, have a drink on us, please meet and connect with other D&I practitioners and advocates.
DPA members will receive a calendar invitation directly.

DPA Members Roundtable on Inclusion
This members roundtable discussion will focus on Inclusion. With special guest, Andrew Tran from PwC, we’ll explore how organisations are shifting focus to more inclusive cultures, obstacles and strategies to overcome them. This is an open forum for DPA members to discuss ideas together.
Via Zoom - members will receive an invitation directly.

Rainbow families: an inclusive approach to parenting
The Diversity Practitioners Association is excited to host Kristy Macfarlane and Prue Gilbert from Grace Papers to share their research on the needs and experiences of LGBT+ working parents.
As inclusion practitioners and advocates, we strive to make space for everyone in the work we do. As we increasingly contemplate the impact of intersectionality at work, we have to ask ourselves - are we thinking broadly enough?
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