The Italian verb disegnare meaning to mark out, point out, devise, choose, designate, is said to be where the word design originates. While design is a universal human act, the processes behind how we make decisions cannot be separated from culture and its values. These choices have organised societies, devised laws, and built and destroyed empires in many different […]
Design as an act of (Blak) power Read More »
Welcome Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor Rhonda Dixon Grovenor is a Gadigal/Bidgigal/Yuin Elder and Traditional Descendant from the Sydney (Warrane) and saltwater basin and the South Coast of NSW. She is the daughter of First Nations activist and advocate, Dr Charles “Chicka” Dixon, who was an MUA union activist. Aunty Rhonda is an Academic whose Creative
Introduction & opening Read More »
Many areas of cultural production from design to animation to film need to be reconsidered as a part of the inter-disciplinary approach of the humanities and creative practice. We open the Symposium with a focus on a creative practice which has always embraced the gesamtkuntswerk: opera. We foreground a researcher connecting contemporary classical music, composition,
Precarities & opportunities Read More »
Terms such as ‘design’, ‘art’, ‘dance’ and ‘performance’ continue to hold their Euro-American connotations. As well as being central to social coherence and the wider cultural industries, the wider arts communicate and demonstrate Indigenous cultures, struggles, self-determination, and calls for sovereignty. How can we develop more culturally sensitive and ecologically sustainable cultural-creative systems with integrity, authenticity and
First Nations and intercultural art, design & performance Read More »
As speakers address the important contribution of the arts and humanities to communities in crisis or facing disaster and extreme weather events, they consider case studies that can teach us about best practice. Artists and scholars who collaborate with communities under duress recognise the need for careful consideration of the methodological approaches they use in
Ethical methodologies Read More »
Creativity and artistic inquiry—“bringing something new into the world, at times by severing, isolating, reconnecting, or testing the breaking point” (Hansen, 2018, 37–38)—has been increasingly recognised and validated as research within Australian universities, since the Dawkins reforms of 1989-94. This recognition was cemented through the work of scholars and practitioners in conjunction with the Australian
The place of artistic research in the contemporary university Read More »
What is experienced as difficult in the creative arts changes dramatically over time and according to context. What was once considered acceptable might now be considered problematic and similarly what was once censored might now be normative. This session will consider the theme of difficulty and the changing nature of aesthetic reception in the era
This final session encourages reflection at the end of a symposium that has considered the power of bringing together Humanities research and creative practice. We will have covered topics ranging from the significance of First Nations design, to ethical methodologies, difficult art and cancel culture, the place of creative practice research in the contemporary Australian
Challenges & the future Read More »
Event Details When: During the Symposium lunch break – Thursday 13 November, 12.30-1.30pm and Friday 14 November, 12.30-1.30pm Where: Meeting point: Chau Chak Wing Auditorium. The group will walk over to the UTS Data Arena, CB.11.02.101, 81–117 Broadway, Ultimo. Register: Places are limited – register for free tickets via the Symposium registration page. This prototype demo
Spirits of the Hoey Read More »
Event Details When: 2:45 – 4:15pm Wednesday 12 November Meeting Point: Chau Chak Wing Auditorium, Business School, Building 8, UTS campus (14–28 Ultimo Road, Ultimo) Cost: Free & open to the public (registration required) Register: https://events.humanitix.com/follow-the-creek Follow the Creek is an interactive place-activation project exploring the water narratives of the UTS precinct. This short walk with
Event Date: 6.00pm-10.00pm for Dinner, Thursday 13 November 2025 Venue: Queen Victoria Building, Sydney NSW. This event occured on 13 November 2025. We warmly invite you to join us for our 56th Annual Academy Dinner, hosted by the Academy Council. With formal presentations the 2025 Max Crawford Medal, McCredie Musicological Award, and the John Mulvaney
Annual Academy Dinner Read More »
A 55-year long tradition to officially welcome Fellows. The Council of the Academy warmly invites Fellows to join them for this official ceremony where elected Fellows have the opportunity to add their signatures to the Academy’s historic Charter Book, alongside those Fellows elected to the Academy since 1969. Fellows will also receive their Certificates of
Fellows Signing Ceremony Read More »
The Australian Academy of the Humanities recognises Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of this land, and their continuous connection to country, community and culture.