Gendered Violence Conference 2026: ONLINE sessions

Theology and Culture Conference: Gendered Violence ONLINE sessions

How do religion, theology, and culture contribute to—or help combat—gendered violence? Join The Wesley Centre’s inaugural interdisciplinary conference to investigate the intersections of theology, biblical interpretation, culture, sexism, colonialism, and justice. Together, we’ll ask hard questions about gendered violence and explore resources for healing, inclusion, and change.

Our in-person conference is fully booked out, but we didn't want you to miss out entirely. So, we have made 4 of our main stage sessions available online. You can purchase tickets for 1, 2, 3, or all 4.

Please note the specific times for each session. These will be live sessions, Melbourne time.

1. Wed 11th Feb, 2pm - 3.30pm

   What is Gender?

   Moderator: Dr Rosie-Clare Shorter

   Speakers: Steff Fenton, Rev. Assoc. Prof. Monica Melanchthon, Rev. Assoc. Prof. Geoff Thompson

   This panel brings together biblical scholars, theologians, and sociologists to explore how we think about gender and the impact for gender based violence.

2. Wed, 11th Feb, 7 - 9pm

   Is Religion Dangerous (for Women)? Mapping the landscape.

   Moderator: Dr Rosie-Clare Shorter

   Speakers: Prof. Sarah Wendt, Dr Ruth Powell, Assoc. Prof. Tim Jones

   In this panel we hear from experts about what gendered violence looks like in Australia, the prevalence and dynamics of it in different settings, and role religion plays.

3. Thurs 12th Feb, 9.30am - 10.45am

   "The Bible's Bloody Case Files: Gendered Violence and Biblical Texts " - a keynote lecture by Emily Colgan, Biblical scholar and director of The Shiloh Project

4. Thurs 12th Feb, 4.15pm - 5.45pm

   "Eroticising Inequality: Pornography, young people and sexuality, " a keynote talk by Maree Crabbe from It's time we talked.

For more information about keynote speakers and plenary panel participants please see www.thewesleycentre.org

This conference is organised by The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy and sponsored by Pilgrim Theological College.