At the beginning of 2025, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) hosted the National Symposium on Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action. Led by the Carumba Institute, the event was promoted as a forum for critical discussion and progressive social justice research. However, what began as a celebration of anti-racist scholarship quickly unravelled into a national controversy, one that has left many QUT students, particularly Jewish students, feeling betrayed and unheard.
A now-infamous presentation shown during the symposium included a slide that Jewish leaders and advocacy groups called out for perpetuating harmful antisemitic stereotypes. Media outlets swiftly picked up the story, with The Guardian and The Australian Today reporting public outrage and disappointment. What was meant to be an event grounded in unity became a symbol of institutional disconnect.
QUT’s initial public response was slow and cautious. For a university that claims to prioritise diversity and inclusion, this delay was telling. Only after growing media pressure and public outcry did Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil announce an independent review. The review was conducted by The Honourable John Middleton AM KC, a former Federal Court judge, and was released in July.
The findings of the review concluded that the content of the presentation was not antisemitic within the context of the academic discussion. However, it also stated that some material was capable of causing offence and should have been more carefully reviewed, particularly given the broader social and political climate. In other words, the university fell short, not necessarily in intent, but in judgment and oversight.
QUT accepted all of Middleton’s recommendations. These included stronger oversight of the Carumba Institute through new reporting lines to the Provost, adoption of Universities Australia’s working definition of antisemitism, and a review of event governance processes. The university claims these steps are already being implemented.
But as the QUT student union, we must ask, is that enough?
A key part of the university’s identity rests on its commitment to inclusion, critical thinking, and social justice. Yet in this case, the university failed to ensure that an event bearing its name lived up to those values. Where was the proactive duty of care for students likely to be impacted by the material? Why were risk assessments not adequate in light of recent global tensions and sensitivities? Why weren’t diverse perspectives, including Jewish voices, considered in the lead-up to a symposium focused on racism?
The official line maintains that this was an isolated oversight, but for many students, especially those from minority backgrounds, this incident highlights a recurring issue. The university often takes a reactive rather than proactive approach to inclusivity. We see the same pattern in QUT’s broader handling of equity concerns, whether it is inadequate disability access, insufficient consultation with culturally diverse student groups, or underfunded student support services.
The QUT administration was quick to reaffirm its commitment to academic freedom and to defend the intent of the symposium’s speakers, but intent does not erase impact. The idea that content may not be antisemitic in context does not change the fact that it caused genuine harm to members of our community. Nor does it address the underlying question of how such material got past university oversight in the first place.
Vice-President (Administration) Leanne Harvey issued a message to students following the release of the review, acknowledging the hurt caused and pointing to counselling services and mental health support. These are important offerings, but they are the bare minimum. The real work must go deeper. It must include students in meaningful consultation, transparent accountability from leadership, and safeguards to ensure this does not happen again.
We must also acknowledge the difficult position this has placed the Carumba Institute in. The Institute’s work, particularly in advancing Indigenous-led research and confronting systemic racism, is vital. This incident should not be used to discredit its broader mission. Instead, it highlights the need for stronger frameworks that allow such institutions to thrive while being supported and critically engaged by the university.
Ultimately, the Middleton Review is a starting point, However, if QUT wants to truly rebuild trust with its students, it must go beyond bureaucratic fixes. It must show that they are willing to listen, to change, and to be held accountable, not just when something goes wrong, but before harm occurs.
As students, we should not have to rely on the media to force our university to act. We should not have to wait for an external review to be taken seriously. And we should never feel unsafe or unsupported in academic spaces that claim to be inclusive.
This incident was more than a misstep. It was a reminder that good intentions are not enough. Anti-racism cannot be selective. Inclusivity must be consistent. And accountability, especially from our institutions, must be immediate and transparent.
We call on QUT to do more. Not just for its reputation, but for its students, past, present, and future.
Support Services
If you have been affected by this incident or need support, QUT provides free and confidential counselling and wellbeing services. Visit the HiQ website or call (07) 3138 2019.
References
- Middleton, J. (2025). Review into the National Symposium on Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action. Queensland University of Technology. https://www.qut.edu.au
- Harvey, L. (2025, July). Message to students regarding the independent review. Queensland University of Technology.
- Sheil, M. (2025). Statement on the Middleton Review. Queensland University of Technology.
- The Guardian. (2025, February 5). Queensland university apologises for ‘hurt’ after Jewish group head’s slide showed stereotype at anti-racism event. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/05/queensland-university-apologises-for-hurt-after-jewish-group-heads-slide-showed-stereotype-at-anti-racism-event-ntwnfb
- The Australia Today. (2025, February). Outrage erupts over antisemitic display at QUT’s anti-racism symposium. https://www.theaustraliatoday.com.au/outrage-erupts-over-antisemitic-display-at-quts-anti-racism-symposium/
