Friederike Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis has brought together a panel of University of Wollongong academics for a free public discussion on the role of “unseen” women in the workforce throughout history and the narrative surrounding traditional male and female jobs.

The panel, running for two hours on Saturday July 9 at Wollongong Art Gallery, will include: Associate Professor Di Kelly from the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry; sessional lecturer in political science Dr Macarena Iribarne; and artist and senior lecturer in visual arts, Dr Penny Harris.

Dr Iribarne will kick off the discussion by speaking about Flora Tristan. The 18th century writer and French feminist was the first person to call for an international union of workers and to link socialism and feminism.

Dr Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis said gender imbalances were still very topical, especially after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declared himself a “feminist” in early June.

“Never before have there been so many women in the workforce … which is great. But I think it detracts from the fact we don’t see many women in high powered positions all that much and if we do they’re not necessarily enjoying equal pay,” she said.

Another problem, she added, was the stigma of “traditional roles” between the sexes.

Dr Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis said politics would definitely wind through the session, as she believed all art is political even if it’s unintended.

“I like this interdisciplinary discussion where writers, researchers and artists come together and look at similar issues from different angles,” she said.

It was Dr Harris’ current exhibition, “Writing Poetry for the Miners of El Cobre”, at the Gallery, sparked the idea for a feminist conversation.

Her works are an artistic interpretation of letters from women miners in Cuba during the 16th and 17th centuries, reimagined through cast bronze and archaeological artifacts.

​Feminist Panel of Women in the Workforce, Wollongong Art Gallery, July 9, 1pm to 3pm. Free.