Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we work, how we’re seen, and how power is distributed. Women and marginalised communities are disproportionately affected, and too rarely consulted.

Today, the Victorian Women’s Trust is doing something about that. We are proud to announce the appointment of Dr Elise Stephenson as our inaugural Feminist Researcher in Residence, a new program designed to link evidence directly with feminist advocacy and action on the issues shaping the lives of women, girls and gender diverse people.

Who is Dr Elise Stephenson?

Dr Stephenson is Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at the Australian National University, an institute founded and chaired by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. She is also an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow (2025–2028), and a leading voice on gender and the policy frontiers shaping our future.

Her work spans AI, the space sector, climate action, diplomacy, and national security, always through a rigorous, intersectional, intergenerational feminist lens.

What will the Residency do?

This year, Dr Stephenson will examine one of the most urgent questions of our time: what does AI mean for gender equality?

The Residency will run across 2026, culminating in a White Paper on gender and AI; a substantive, policy-facing document that puts feminist analysis of AI into the hands of the people who need it most — as well as in the rooms where crucial decisions are made.

“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.”

Why now?

The Victorian Women’s Trust has been closely watching the intersection of AI and gender equality, and what we see concerns us.

“We’ve been closely monitoring this issue, and believe that, without significant intervention and a coalition of advocates, AI will threaten women’s safety and equality in ways that haven’t yet been fully understood or contemplated,” said Executive Director Dr Kirsten Abernethy.

“With the right framework, AI has the potential to provide immense benefits to society, including women and girls. This Residency is an opportunity to work with Dr Stephenson and present expert recommendations that will safeguard the dignity and respect of women and girls today, and future generations.”

A national initiative

The Feminist Researcher in Residence is a national harm prevention initiative by the Dugdale Trust for Women & Girls, of which the Victorian Women’s Trust is Trustee. It reflects our commitment to translating evidence into real-world impact, and to ensuring gender equality is not an afterthought in AI development, but a central design principle from the outset.

Programs like this are made possible by the Equal Futures Fund, supported by donors who believe that bold, independent feminist thinking deserves a home and a platform.

Want to support the research and advocacy that makes this possible? Support the Equal Futures Fund →

Stay updated on the Feminist Researcher in Residence program at vwt.org.au/feminist-researcher-in-residence-2026