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Introducing our inaugural Feminist Researcher in Residence

 

The Victorian Women’s Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Elise Stephenson as our inaugural Feminist Researcher in Residence.

 

Dr Stephenson is Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at ANU, an institute founded and chaired by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow (2025–2028). She specialises in gender, sexuality and leadership across AI, the space sector, climate action, diplomacy, and national security.

 

The 2026 Residency will focus on artificial intelligence and gender equality, culminating in a White Paper on gender and AI governance, due later this year.

A strategic evolution

 

The Victorian Women’s Trust has a long history of conducting targeted research to drive gender equality. In 2026, we are evolving this work into a feminist research residency designed to amplify our impact and provide the structural authority required for national advocacy.

 

“I’m delighted to take on this role at a moment when AI is rapidly reshaping our society, often faster than our governance frameworks can keep up,” Dr Stephenson said.

 

“I believe the Residency isn’t just about documenting the harms but doing something tangible about it — for the betterment of individuals, communities, organisations, and even our very democracy.”

 

Read more on the Trust Journal →

 

Keen to connect? Contact:
Ally Oliver-Perham
Head of Programs and Partnerships
allyson@vwt.org.au

 

 

 

 

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The Feminist Researcher in Residence program sits within our national harm prevention charity, the Dugdale Trust for Women and Girls, of which the Victorian Women’s Trust is Trustee. Victorian Women’s Trust Pty Ltd ABN 20 006 403 256 | Dugdale Trust For Women and Girls ABN 45 242 265 341