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FAD Life

The official digital magazine of the UC Faculty of Arts and Design

FAD Life

Grads 2024: Angela Deka

Angela Deka | Creative Industries (PG)

Since graduating from Master of Arts in Creative and Cultural Futures Angela has secured a dream role as an Assistant Conservator with International Conservation Services, and is currently working on conversation projects at the Museum of Australian Democracy.

Industrial design pioneer and UC’s own Emeritus Professor Livio Bonollo is a Member of the Order of Australia

Emeritus Professor Elivio Bonollo | Industrial Design

Always striving to reach his personal best and treating everyone he meets with empathy, respect and compassion – that’s the approach that has led to both personal and professional fulfillment, said University of Canberra Emeritus Professor Elivio Bonollo AM, as he reflected on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours last week.

UC Faculty of Arts and Design Delivers new program for aspiring young writers

Tony Eaton | Creative Writing

The UWrite@UC! Program offers high school students from the ACT and surrounding NSW region the opportunity to develop their creative writing and storytelling skills with the help of award-winning Australian young adult writers. This year’s visiting authors, Lili Wilkinson and Barry Jonsberg, each delivered two full-day workshops.

New UC research shows Australian women are turning off traditional news

News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) | Research

New research from the University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) shows that women are increasingly more disengaged with news than their male counterparts – with a caveat: the news they do engage with is predominantly from social media.

Where industry and institution collide meet new FAD Executive Dean Julian Knowles

Julian Knowles | Creative Industries

The University of Canberra has welcomed Professor Julian Knowles, a media artist, researcher, and former academic..., as the new Executive Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Design. He joins the University at a pivotal time for the creative arts sector; Public debate rages on around the role of Artificial Intelligence in the arts, and it’s potential to unseat humans as artists, writers, creators and designers.

UC design student’s work printed on a BMW for the month of November

Rachel Mugridge | Visual Communication Design

The University of Canberra’s Faculty of Arts and Design partnership with Canberra BMW and Rojo Customs delivers a unique opportunity for students – the chance to have their winning design enhance a luxury car. Rachel Mugridge was crowned the winner, for her unique design inspired by themes of summer and Canberra imagery.

Scale models of Canberra's shopping centres 'very big step forward' for city planning

Erin Hinton & Sam Shellard | Architecture

Members of the Canberra Blind Society have already toured the government’s planned upgrades to Dickson Shops and Garema Place.Inside the design workshop at the University of Canberra (UC), students have crafted two scale models – or “tactile maps” – of each location as part of a partnership with the City Renewal Authority (CRA).

Writing her own story: Mia Chawner

Mia Chawner | Creative Writing

There aren’t many places in the world less conducive to pursuing a professional snowsports career than Australia...Snowboarding also makes for an extremely expensive hobby, so it’s only fitting that Mia was the recipient of an Eldon and Anne Foote Elite Athlete Scholarship, to help her balance her studies in a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) at the University of Canberra..

Associate Professor Jen Crawford Receives UC Citizen of the Year Award 2023

Jen Cawford

Associate Professor Jen Crawford is a leading figure in StoryGround, a project that brings together Indigenous story practices, creative writing and literature. She represents the University in cultural and teaching contexts that are designed to entwine research with teaching and community outreach, and to connect First Nations community members with the University.

Diversity in newsrooms: UC study says improvements still needed

Research | News and Media Research Centre

Many journalists in Australia believe that the news media needs to work on improving diversity, according to new research from the University of Canberra.The Valuing Diversity in News and Newsrooms research project was conducted by the News and Media Research Centre, and surveyed 2,266 members of the Australian public, as well as 196 journalists to determine the perceived diversity in newsrooms and the news media.

Student-designed courtyard opens at UC

Hugh Swann | Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)

A courtyard redesign project – led by students and staff – opened at the University of Canberra earlier this semester, incorporating light-filled spaces surrounded by trees and shrubs.‘The Hub’, situated on the lower level of the Concourse, is home to Mizzuna Café....has also become a space for outdoor study, meetings, and relaxation.

2022 Researcher of the year, Kerry McCallum

Kerry McCallum | News and Media Research Centre

Professor Kerry McCallum is inspired by the opportunity to create change, no matter how small.Channelling that inspiration into researching the role of media in public opinion and policymaking has led her to working on projects that make an impact on our community and society, including Indigenous affairs, reporting of child sexual abuse, digital news habits and more.

Grads 2023: Adina Brown

Adina Brown | Bachelor of Communication & Media (Sports Media)

During her time at UC, Adina was the Student Representative Council (SRC) representative for Indigenous students, an active member and user of the Ngunnawal Centre, and received the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Dean’s Excellence award for her academic success.She also made a name for herself as a student voice on Indigenous matters and as an MC for several events, including the Ngunnawal Centre graduation dinner.

UC team win coveted international design award

Mr Sam Tomkins, Mr Iain (Max) Maxwell, and Dr Ben Ennis-Butler | Bachelor of Design

A team from the UC Faculty of Arts and Design has received an international design award for their submission entitled Re-pete in the MPavilion’s chair design competition. The chair is one of the key commissions of the MPavilion season, and will be featured to media, industry and international partners. It will also be on display as part of Craft Victoria’s upcoming exhibition The Chair.

In the Spotlight: World Heritage Day

Alison Wain | Bachelor of Arts (Culture and Heritage)

When you hear the word ‘heritage’, you might think of old buildings and relics, or ancient paintings dearly loved or forgotten – but that’s not necessarily the case.

Junior journalists are making their mark in Canberra newsrooms

Natalie Larkins | Bachelor of Communication and Media

For the past year and a half, Region Media has been part of the UC Faculty of Arts and Designs internship program, mentoring – and sometimes hiring – a crop of final-year students who are keen to experience how a newsroom operates.

UC Students As Canberra Influencers

Prue Robson | Bachelor of Communication and Media

A group of Faculty of Arts and Design students have become Instagram influencers after developing a social media campaign to promote Canberra as a place to live, work and visit as part of their studies.

Roving cube marks UC’s FADx exhibition

Jason Bainbridge | Arts and Design

Graduating students from the UC’s Faculty of Arts and Design will see their work taken to the streets as part of the 2021 FADx exhibition.

UC Professor: COP26 will shape our global future

Barbara Norman | Research

The UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 (COP26) kicked off in Glasgow overnight, watched closely by the world – and UC's Faculty of Arts and Design Professor Barbara Norman says that this summit will set the trajectory for a global future.

UC’s PhD Plus boosts research with strong industry alignment

Lisa Russ | Bachelor of Arts and Design (Honours)

For Faculty of Arts and Design PhD candidate Lisa Russ, the PhD Plus program’s unique combination of research and industry placement is the perfect fit to take her career in heritage and conservation further.

Improvement needed in Australian media literacy, according to new UC report

Sora Park | Research

Vulnerable community members experiencing social disadvantage also have lower media literacy levels, according to a new report from the News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC). Lead author, Professor Sora Park from the Faculty of Arts and Design, said it was important that everyone is media literate.

An Extra Pair of Hands to Make Change

Rebecca Drew | Bachelor of Design

From the very beginning of the internship, Rebecca was involved in a number of activities and tasks within the department. She helped make social media tiles for different campaigns, and even took control in the creation of sign postage to be placed around Canberra.

Internship success for UC students

Daniel Sandford, Marko Torbarina and Cassidy Baas | Master of Architecture

Congratulations to three Faculty of Arts and Design Master of Architecture students who have received the 2021 Alastair Swayn Internship.Daniel Sandford, Marko Torbarina and Cassidy Baas will receive mentorship from ACT Government Architect Catherine Townsend as they investigate topics related to the physical, environmental and social effects of growth in Canberra. They’ll also receive a $2,500 research grant each from The Alastair Swayn Foundation.

Born To Be A Storyteller

Linus Wong | Bachelor of Arts

It started as an opportunity to improve his English language skills and to learn about another culture – Linus Wong never imagined moving to Australia would allow him to play a part in the conservation of local history.

Keeping Canberra Informed

Lucy Bladen | Bachelor of Communication and Media

Thousands of people tune into the daily ACT Health press conferences to learn the fate of our city and surrounds – but for some, like UC's Faculty of Arts and Design alumna Lucy Bladen, those press conferences are the pinnacle of their day.

Be Counted: Census 2021

Sabrina O’Sullivan-Fox, Eddison Roberts, Rose Catania | Bachelor of Communication and Media

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts a census of the nation to determine population size, average incomes, house prices, religion, languages and more. The ABS employs a dedicated workforce – which this year, includes three UC Faculty of Arts students.

Sophie's Photography: More Than Just A Hobby

Sophie Green | Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)

University of Canberra alumna Sophie Green graduated with a Bachelor of Industrial Design in 2006, during which time she discovered her love of photography. Now, Sophie wants to share that passion with the UC community and pass on how she used it to escape the craziness of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 18 months.

Communications Coming Full Circle

Maddie Sinclair | Bachelor of Communication and Media

It may have been quite some time since Maddie Sinclair studied in the Faculty of Arts and Design at UC, but she hasn’t quite cut ties.

Everyday Heritage wins ARC Linkage Grant

Tracy Ireland | Research

UC’s Faculty of Arts and Design Professor Tracy Ireland – Director of the Centre for Creative and Cultural Research – has been awarded a $340,000 grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for her Everyday Heritage project.

Designing For The Everyday

Chris Hardy | Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)

If you have a Breville or Caroma item in your house, there is a chance it might have been designed by UC's Faculty of Arts and Design alumnus Chris Hardy, who has worked for both brands throughout his career.

An Unexpected Dream Job

Hayley Nicholls | Bachelor of Communications & Media (Journalism)

They say the average person changes their career path five to seven times in their lifetime, and while Hayley Nicholls might fit that narrative, she has used her university skillset every step of the way. Hayley side-stepped into the world of events management, freelanced as a real estate writer and then found herself working as the editor of CAPITAL Magazine....

Redesigning an icon: how UC students could change Canberra’s cityscape

Max Maxwell | Bachelor of the Built Environment (Architecture)

The Ainslie Avenue bus shelter at the base of the Canberra Centre may look very different in coming years, with University of Canberra students designing a new look for the distinctive space as part of their curriculum.The finalists – who are in their second year of a Bachelor of Architecture – will have their designs displayed in the Canberra Centre over the coming weeks. Three groups of students were announced as joint winners this morning at an event at the centre.

Lifelong learning and love for Canberra

Panisara Sutthikanjanawong | Bachelor of Communications & Media (Journalism)

What was intended to be a short stint in Australia to build her English language skills turned into a much longer stay, and a dream job for UC alumna Panisara Sutthikanjanawong – who decided to make this her new home.

Digital News Report Australia 2021: trust in news is up

Dr Caroline Fisher & Sora Park | Communication and Media

Australians have become more trusting of news over the past 12 months, but the majority don’t know the news industry is struggling financially, according to the Digital News Report (DNR): Australia 2021, released by the News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) at the University of Canberra.

Designing a Coat of Arms or Emblem for the ACT

Centre for Creative and Cultural Research | Master of Creative and Cultural Futures

Throughout the semester, students from the the Faculty have been engaged in designing a new emblem or Coat of Arms for the Australian Capital Territory in a partnership project with the ACT government and community stakeholders. Led by the CCCR, undergraduate and postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines took on this challenge to interrogate what it means to be a Canberran and designs and creative works that they felt best represented the Territory now and into the future.

Very Short Film Festival: Winner Olivia Bounopane

Olivia Buonopane | Bachelof of Arts (Film Production)

Bachelor of Arts (Film Production) 3rd year student, Olivia Buonopane is the winner of the Junior Category for the The Very Short Film Festival, for her film Sweet Dreams!

Hearing Architecture: Reporting from Overseas S2E5

Ann Cleary | Bachelor of the Built Environment (Architecture)

'EmAGN Emerging Architectural Graduates Network across Australia- Season 02 Episode 05 interviewing Ann Cleary FRAIA about her trajectory in architecture, particularly the insights gained in international practice experiences in Scandinavia, NY, Singapore and other overseas overlaps in the teaching realm'.

Grads 2021: Wayne Applebee

Wayne Applebee | Arts & Design

Throughout adulthood, Wayne has been a man for the community. He gives back to several community initiatives, including Canberra’s Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, where he became an uncle in the Uncle’s Mentoring Program. Completing his Bachelor of Social Science in Justice Studies, Wayne’s thirst for learning stuck around. So as he continued to teach the bridging course, he also continued further learning – and eventually – began his PhD journey. “Under the guidance of Distinguished Professor Jen Webb, I began my PhD in Cultural Studies,” Wayne says.

UC students get priority access to world-leading arts institutions

Arts & Design

Canberra’s world-leading cultural and historical institutions will become even more accessible to those studying in the nation’s capital, thanks to the University of Canberra’s Cultural Pass, which offers substantial discounts for students. Students who purchase the UC Cultural Pass for $15 will have exclusive events, exhibitions, and access to Canberra’s museums and galleries at their fingertips. Membership is available to all Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD) students, and any student enrolled in a FAD unit at the University.

“We’re gonna be bloody tired”- A Woman’s Career in Film

Dr Susan Thwaites | Bachelor of Arts (Film Production)

Student Lindsey Turnbull interviews our very own Dr Susan Thwaites "at the desk in her office as {they} discussed the Australian film industry’s tendencies towards women at length" in this very candid discussion.

Partnership with ACT Government to see creative industries thrive

Arts & Design

In a push to see Canberra’s creative industries flourish, the University of Canberra will partner with the ACT Government to invest in the ACT Creative Industries Plan – an initiative that aims to position Canberra as a hub for collaboration in the creative sector.

When Writing Goes to Plan

Gabby Tozer | Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) / Bachelor of Communication & Media (Journalism)

Since graduating from UC in 2005 with a Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Creative Writing, she’s also followed a life-long dream to be a writer.This week, Gabby will release her seventh book Can’t Say It Went To Plan, a young adult novel centered around the notorious ‘schoolies’ week at the Gold Coast. “The book follows the journey of three strangers – Year 12 students who don’t know each other, and have three different experiences throughout the week,” Gabby says.

Grads 2021: Dan Polgolla

Supun Wasana Dhananjaya Polgolla | Bachelor of Communication and Media (Marketing Communication)

“Marketing is about meaningful storytelling, networking and understanding the larger context,” says Dan, and he truly enjoys navigating its challenges. As part of his degree, Dan did an internship with The Mill House – the social enterprise development consultancy located within UC. “I have always wanted to make a difference in my country – but I didn’t know how to actually do that, until my time at The Mill House showed me,” Dan says. “Education is the basis of change, because it empowers people – any change begins from there.

Grads 2021: Ella Hourigan

Ella Hourigan | Bachelor of Communication and Media (Marketing Communication)

Ella Hourigan has something that many fresh graduates in the creative consulting industry don’t – the real-world, hands-on experience that comes hand-in-hand with a University of Canberra degree.“I’m just grateful that UC was able to connect me directly to the industry, giving me a chance to showcase my skills and prove myself.”

Poets Working Together

Paul Hetherington | Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)

For University of Canberra Professor of Writing Paul Hetherington, poetry isn’t just his job – it’s a way of life. That’s why this World Poetry Day, UnCover spoke to Paul to find out just how engrained the art is in our lives.

ReGeneration Project: Creative Arts for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Sam Hinton, Tony Eaton, Jordan Williams, Ian Drayton | Arts & Design

The Regeneration Project is an initiative being driven by Australian comedian Magda Szubanski and social media influencer Will Connolly in a partnership between the University of Canberra, the Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) and Phoenix Australia to help build resilience in communities affected by the 2020 bushfires.

An Unlikely Match

Jordan Williams | Research

The Faculty of Arts and Design is proud to announce that the work of Jordan Williams, Jacki Schirmer and Petra Buergelt along with a number of our Faculty’s academics will be featured on the ABC’s Australian Story. They have been working with Magda Szubanski on the Bushfire Relief project to conduct creative workshops in bushfire affected areas.

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