Program outline

The University of Canberra’s Pathways to Politics for Women program is open to women residing in the ACT and regional NSW.

The 2025 program at the University of Canberra will run from August 2025 to October 2025.

Our program comprises a series of thematic modules and will be delivered through a combination of in-person and online formats.

The in-person sessions will be held as all-day intensive workshops on the University of Canberra’s campus in Bruce, ACT. The online sessions will be held on evenings during the week.

Program participation is fully funded through the generous support of the Trawalla Foundation and the University of Canberra.

Catering will be provided and dietary requirements are catered for on request.

Flights, ground transfers, accommodation, and any other expenses associated with attending the program, are not included.

Travel and accommodation bursaries are available for all rural and regional participants thanks to our Rural and Regional Access Partner Minderoo Foundation – ensuring equal access for women nationwide.

The 2025 program will run from August to October, concluding with a graduation celebration.

Note: We understand that participants may have caregiving responsibilities or other commitments. It will not be a problem if small children need to be present during online sessions.

Participants gain first-hand insights from current and former politicians, advisors, speechwriters, media trainers, and other professional experts, to give them confidence and clarity about their future in politics.

You will be supported to realise your capabilities through practical workshops and activities, delivered in a respectful, safe and supported environment. Our activities include, as examples, understanding the pre-selection process, media training, campaign planning, and preparing and delivering a speech in parliament.

The University of Canberra’s Pathways to Politics program is designed around a sequential flow of topics. It begins with understanding your “why”, articulating your vision and values, and understanding the political system and the role of elected representatives.

The program progresses to practical steps on “how to run” for elected office, including understanding the pre-selection process, building your base, campaigning, and engaging with the media.

We complete the program through tailored knowledge-building workshops that draw on the strengths of the University of Canberra’s community of academic researchers and industry professionals. Throughout, we support you to build resiliency strategies to thrive in a political role.

Modules include such topics as:

• articulating your political vision and values
• connecting with your community
• understanding policymaking, the public service, and government budgets
• ethics and integrity in politics
• building your base and campaign planning
• media training and speech writing
• preparing for the challenges of public life

A key component of the Pathways to Politics program is the opportunity for you to meet and hear directly from the lived experiences of politicians, both former and current, in a candid and trusted environment.

Their advice and reflections are complemented by a range of capability-building activities and workshops facilitated by professional experts, academics and practitioners.

Bringing this program together, our guest presenters include:

• politicians (current and former) from all levels of government and across the political spectrum
• media and public speaking professionals
• campaign strategists and policy advisors
• public policy experts and leading figures in Australian political and public life.

We are extremely grateful for the support of our guest speakers who give their time and experience to the program, and share the joint vision to see more women and diverse people in Australian politics.