Can you say my name? Not so far, say Hibaq Farah, Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, Ranjana Srivastava and the thousands of other Australians whose names are shortened...

Say My Name: The Humanity of Names

Location:

The Great Hall, Level 5, Building 1 (UTS Tower)
15 Broadway
2007 NSW
Australia

Venue:
University of Technology Sydney
Say My Name - The Humanity of Names
Say My Name - The Humanity of Names

Featuring

Jan Fran

Jan Fran

Jan Fran is an award-winning journalist, TV presenter and internet commentator. She hosts the ABC podcast, The Pineapple Project and features on The Project on Network Ten. Jan is the creator, writer, and presenter of The Frant, which earned her a Walkley Award for Best Commentary, Analysis, Opinion and Critique.

Dr Elaine Laforteza

Dr Elaine Laforteza

Dr Elaine Laforteza is the Equity and Diversity Project Officer (Cultural Diversity) at UTS. She has a PhD in Cultural Studies and previously held academic positions in various universities around Australia. Elaine is the author of The Somatechnics of Whiteness and Race and hosts SBS’s award-winning podcast, My Bilingual Family.

Sunil Badami

Dr Sunil Badami

Writer, academic and broadcaster Dr Sunil Badami’s work has been published in major Australian media outlets and international networks. His story ‘Stones and Sticks and Suchlike’ was published in the bestselling anthology Growing Up Asian in Australia and continues to be studied in schools across the country.

Dr Mariko Smith

Dr Mariko Smith

Dr Mariko Smith is a Yuin woman with a Japanese heritage. Her professional work and community involvement are influenced by her diverse cultural background and lived experiences. Mariko has worked in Sydney's museum and tertiary sectors, specialising in Aboriginal cultural heritage and community-based cultural resurgence initiatives.

Dr Kumi de Silva

Dr Kumi de Silva

Dr Kumi de Silva’s commitment to influence inclusion and belonging has led her from a career as an immunologist to her current role as the Gender Equity Programs Manager at UTS. Prior to joining UTS she co-founded Mosaic, a network to support multicultural staff at the University of Sydney. 

Access and Inclusion

  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

Can you say my name? Not so far, say Hibaq Farah, Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, Ranjana Srivastava and the thousands of other Australians whose names are shortened, anglicised, mispronounced or replaced.

For many in Australia, navigating school, the workplace, and life can come with unique and sometimes distressing challenges tied to their name. This storytelling session and panel discussion unpacks how we perceive and acknowledge names unfairly categorised as 'tricky,' 'unfamiliar,' or 'foreign'.

Moderated by Jan Fran, hear Dr Elaine Laforteza, Dr Sunil Badami, Dr Kumi de Silva, and Dr Mariko Smith, as they discuss their personal experiences and the cultural, familial and historical ties of names. Say My Name will also provide insights and tools for how we can rectify mispronunciations and work towards a more respectful and inclusive society together.

Our names are an essential part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are and our place in the world. Join us in celebrating the diversity of names and the story they tell about us as individuals and as a society at large.

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Access and Inclusion

  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Sponsors

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