The Masculinities Project

Growing up, men and boys feel pressure to live up to certain standards of what it means to be a man. To be tough, to not show emotion, to be the breadwinner, to be dominant and in control. These standards can impact mental health, our ability to express ourselves freely, and the activities we engage in.

But these standards are not fixed. It’s possible to transform these expectations and address the impacts. In The Masculinities Project workshop series we unpack some of the messages we receive about what it means to be a man, and some of the ways we can challenge these ideas to express our own masculinities.

Sign up for The Masculinities Project and work with us to transform the expectations of masculinity.

Register now (students)

Expression of interest (staff)

What you'll learn

The program consists of four sessions, each 2.5 hours in length.

Session one: Unpacking masculinities

Did you know we start to pick up messages about what it means to be a man as early as three years old? In this session, you’ll learn from each other and your facilitators about the messages we hear about masculinity as we grow up, and where they come from.

Session two: Understanding the dominant forms of masculinity

There are pressures we feel to live up to certain ideals, which can impact our wellbeing and those around us. In this session, you will discuss these ideas and the impact of these pressures, before reflecting on what kind of masculinity you feel is right for you.

Session three: Gender inequality and gender-based violence

Discussions on masculinities cannot be separated from discussions on gender inequality and gender-based violence. This session will look at the links between the two, and how you can help promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence.

Session four: Your role in prevention

This final session will look at what your role as a man is in promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence. This includes how to challenge rigid ideals of masculinities, and how to maintain accountability.

The program was developed at Monash University and has been evaluated by VicHealth (pdf, 1.76 mb).

Who can participate

The program is designed specifically with university-aged men in mind, but it’s open to all men. This doesn’t mean non-binary, gender-fluid, or other gender-diverse folks can’t attend – the content just might not feel as meaningful. The program looks at men’s experiences, and specifically the social norms that men and boys face.

If you’d like to chat about this further, you can reach out to us at edi@monash.edu.

• What’s included This program is free for students. You'll be provided with resource kits, snacks and drinks, and a certificate of completion.
• What's involved The program consists of four, 2.5 hour sessions across four weeks. You must attend all four sessions to successfully complete the program.

Upcoming sessions

We're currently accepting student registrations for The Masculinities Project in 2026.

Register now (students)

Expression of interest (staff)

Student testimonials

“The idea of multiple masculinities was like, I don’t know, something that was really cool. And just kind of like defining your own form of masculinity ... and I guess just being however you want and you’re still a man.”

“My thinking has definitely changed... my friends would say downright sexist and misogynistic things and I wouldn’t pull it up. I wouldn’t give it any energy ... the reaction would be very different [now].”