Faculty research

Research and scholarship in the Faculty of Arts is essential to the professional development of the staff and the social, cultural and intellectual standing of the University. Research undertaken in the Faculty of Arts crosses a broad range of disciplinary and other specialisations. The Faculty encourages a quality research culture for both its staff and its postgraduate research students by providing training and supervision, academic leadership, physical facilities, and financial support to enhance their research and scholarship potential and expertise.  

Public Memory Research Cluster

The Public Memory Research Cluster (PMRC) provides support for a networked community of researchers focused on issues and problems related to two articulated themes:

• the many ways in which contemporary societies collect, utilise and represent their past;
• the role of representation, communication and socialisation in the formation of cultural identity.

The Cluster develops the resources and expertise necessary for (trans)-disciplinary research. It establishes a critical mass of researchers and a supportive and productive research culture necessary for sustained productivity in individual and group-based project work. In addition, the Cluster designs and implements mentoring and development programs for higher degree students, early career and periodically inactive researchers. Direct mentoring and development programs aim to increase the number of research active staff members who work directly, or in affiliation, with the Cluster.

The Cluster's wider mission is to promote a greater understanding of the role different forms of the past play in contemporary society. It promotes social justice, multiculturalism and the values of difference and diversity by pursuing research into the forgotten or neglected pasts of marginal or minority cultural groups. It publicly disseminates the results of such research through publication, conferences and public forums.

The Cluster engages with community groups and institutions interested in the archiving, interpretation and preservation of the past and pursues the University's stated mission 'to develop, enrich and service' its communities in the interests of a 'knowledgeable and cultured society'.

Mission statement

The Faculty's research and scholarship mission statement sets a number of objectives. The Faculty strives to maintain the highest levels of scholarship and research. In this, it seeks to achieve recognition from its academic, professional and business peers, and from the community generally, by encouraging significant contributions to the literature and practice in the disciplinary and professional fields represented in the Faculty. It identifies and prioritises research strengths and commits funding to these areas so as to achieve a national and international reputation for its research. 

Administration

Management of research in the Faculty of Arts is the responsibility of the Associate Dean (Research) and Director of the Public Memory Research Cluster, Professor Chris Lee, and the Faculty of Arts Research and Research Degrees Committee. Administration of research matters is the responsibility of the Administration Coordinator, Miss Lesley Astbury.

The Committee reports to the Faculty of Arts Board and advises the Dean on policy and program matters relating to research and scholarship. 

Research and Research Degrees Committee

The function of the Research and Research Degrees Committee is to evaluate and recommend Faculty policies and procedures for the administration and promotion of research and research degrees. Membership consists of:

• Professor Christopher Lee (Associate Dean (Research)
• Dr Malcolm Brown (Social Science)
• Dr Darryl Chalk (Theatre)
• Dr Catherine Dewhirst (History)
• Dr Phillip Gearing (Music)
• Dr Laurie Johnson (English and Cultural Studies)
• Dr Lara Lamb (Anthropology)
• Dr Rebecca Scollen (Manager Artsworx)
• Dr David Akenson (Visual Arts Theory)
• Mr Bunda Hunter (CAIK representative)
• Ms Regina Ryan (Postgraduate student representative)
• Miss Lesley Astbury (Administration Coordinator)