The past year has seen multiple high-profile incidents of violent religious hatred in Australia. What influences hatred of religious groups, and how should the legal system respond to it?

The School of Law and Justice at the University of Southern Queensland is addressing these critical questions through an upcoming scholarly colloquium.

About the Colloquium

The School of Law and Justice is hosting an interdisciplinary scholarly colloquium exploring what motivates religious hatred in Australia and how it could be addressed through legislative reform. This important event brings together academics from various disciplines to examine both the sociological factors behind religious hatred and potential legal frameworks to address these challenges.

Event Details

📅 Date

Friday 28 November 2025

📍 Venue

UniSQ Toowoomba Campus, Q Block (Room TBD)

🔄 Format

Physical attendance encouraged; Zoom option available

🎤 Keynote Speaker

Dr Kathryn Benier (Monash)

Call for Presentations

Academics are invited to provide scholarly presentations addressing:

  • Antecedent factors for tension and violence motivated by religious hate in the Australian context
  • Suggested legal responses to religious hatred in Australia

Presentations should be 15–20 minutes in duration, with time for questions to follow. All presentations must be supported by a completed paper or work-in-progress suitable for distribution to other participants.

Following the colloquium, presenters may have the opportunity to contribute to a special journal issue or edited book collection.

Submit Your Proposal

If you’re interested in presenting at the colloquium, please register your interest by contacting Dr Jeremy Patrick with the following:

  • A current CV
  • A brief abstract of the planned paper (100-250 words)

Contact: jeremy.patrick@unisq.edu.au

Submission deadline: 28 August 2025

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Southern Queensland is committed to the values of diversity, multiculturalism, and gender equity by fostering an inclusive environment that embraces difference and supports, values, and respects the unique perspectives and approaches of all individuals.

For more information about UniSQ’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit www.usq.edu.au/about-usq/values-culture/diversity-inclusion.

CRICOS QLD 00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA PRV12081