Alan Han

Bachelor of Arts
Honours, Gender Work and Social Inquiry/Politics
Graduated 2005

I didn't know what to expect when I first enrolled in Gender Studies courses in my first year at the University of Adelaide. At the time, I knew that gender played a significant role in every facet of our lives. This basic interest is what sparked my passion for exploring how gender works to both oppress and empower people.

Studying gender in the discipline of Gender, Work and Social Inquiry (GWSI), gave me the opportunity to critique and understand the world around us, and our interactions with each other. With passionate, committed, and experienced lecturers and tutors, I was challenged to think differently about society. The courses offered in GWSI inspired me to change the world and myself, and to actively challenge what we take for granted in the hope of making society a better place to live for everyone.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Gender Studies in 2003 and followed this with a First Class Honours Degree, awarded in 2005. Studying in GWSI gave me a firm grounding in the social sciences. I gained critical thinking skills, confidence, a passion to seek solutions to social problems, and a commitment to understand other people. With the help of passionate and committed scholars, I was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship at the beginning of 2006. This scholarship has enabled me to continue my studies at the University of Queensland, where I am currently completing a Doctorate, researching Asian Australian and Asian Canadian masculinities.

The University of Adelaide''s discipline of Gender, Work and Social Inquiry is a national leader for gender and labour research and teaching. I am grateful for the skills and personal attributes that I gained from studying in the discipline. By completing a major in Gender and Labour Studies, not only did I gain essential skills for the labour market, I gained vital skills for a lifetime!