Iran Is Not Its Regime: Women, Resistance and the Struggle for Freedom

Iran is often seen through headlines about repression, conflict, executions and protest. Behind those headlines, however, is a diverse society whose people continue to create joy, defend dignity and imagine a different future.

In this engaging public talk, Dr Rana Dadpour draws on her lived experience, research and community advocacy to explore the struggle between Iranian society and the Islamic Republic. She will discuss how women have become central to successive movements for change, how resistance appears in everyday life from clothing, dancing and public space to protest and collective care and why the courage of ordinary Iranians matters far beyond Iran’s borders. She will also reflect on the role of the Iranian diaspora and what meaningful solidarity can look like from Australia.

Rana is an Iran-born Australian researcher, writer and community advocate based in Far North Queensland. Her work examines contemporary Iran, women’s resistance, authoritarian governance, protest movements and the political significance of everyday life. She is also the co-founder of Australian United Solidarity for Iran (AusIran), through which she engages with policymakers, media, civil-society organisations and Iranian-Australian communities. This will be an accessible and deeply human conversation about a country that should never be confused with the regime that governs it.