CASS is part of the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (ASSH), based within the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry (HSI). The centre promotes critical inquiry into the history, theoretical framing, and contemporary legacies of colonialism on a global scale. CASS is an interdisciplinary centre that brings together researchers in history, art history, political science, cultural studies and literary criticism. Our UOW members include academic staff, honorary academics and PhD students. CASS also has a number of external research affiliates based in Australia and overseas.
Our History
CASS began as a research network in 2015 when the former Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts launched a program of focused investment in areas of research strength. We became a centre in 2018 in recognition of our achievements in research collaboration, HDR mentoring, publications and grants. Following a faculty restructure process, CASS became part of ASSH in 2020. It remains a key site of research intensity within the School of HSI.
Research Focus
CASS researchers seek to engage meaningful and critically with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically those relating to social inequalities (SGD5 & 10); peace and justice (SDG16); health and the environment (SDG2 & 3); and work and the economy (SGD8). CASS members are motivated to produce research that benefits the community and assist’s UOW to realise its commitments under the Reconciliation Action Plan in terms of inclusivity, collaboration and equality.
Our research is organised around five key themes which are supported by internal external research funding and collaborations in Australia and overseas.
- Contesting Settler Colonialism: Political, Cultural and Artistic Responses
[SDG10 Reduced Inequalities and SDG16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions] - Engaging with Indigenous Knowledges for Education and Health
[SDG3 Good Health and Well-Being] - Women and Gender Histories: Colonial Migrations, Resistance and Activism
[SGD5 Gender Equality] - Colonial Economies, Labour Inequalities and Human Trafficking
[SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth] - Colonialism, Food and the Environment in the Past and Present
[SDG2 Zero Hunger]