About Transforming Cultures
Transforming Cultures: A Centre for Social, Cultural and Historical Studies (TfC) was established in 1996 as an idea fostered by some of the leading Humanities and Social Science researchers at UTS. In 2007, it was strengthened by the amalgamation of the Faculty with the Institute of International Studies. The Centre's distinctive focus is on transnational social and cultural transformations in different media - language, film, radio, popular cultural forms - across time and across national and geographical boundaries.
This Centre promotes a research paradigm in cultural, historical and social research that seeks to transform understandings by intervention in matters of concern both locally and globally. It addresses constituencies and issues where, for example, justice is seen to be overlooked. It develops new areas of study made visible via its interdisciplinary mode of inquiry.
Transforming Cultures' approach embraces the complexity of a globalising world; researchers have been involved in cross-disciplinary debates concerning the modernist and postmodernist periods to the point of effective intellectual and methodological engagement with contemporary sites of conflict, diversity and difference. Our scholarly responses to these realities cross political, aesthetic and historical traditions, and develop new and effective methodologies.
Research
Current Research
TfC's research agenda is organised into a number of programs:
Cultural Frictions - convenor: Andrew Jakubowicz
Environment, political ecologies and spatial cultures - convenor: Heather Goodall
Experience-based Inquiry - convenor: Catherine Robinson
Experimental Histories and Cultures of Memory - convenor: Katrina Schlunke
Oceans and Borders - convenor: Devleena Ghosh
Transforming Communications - convenor: Penny O'Donnell
Researchers often belong to more than one program, and are involved in several research projects. Bringing together the most successful scholars (in terms of quality, impact and funding) while also mentoring a number of Early Career Researchers and postdoctoral students, the Centre successfully integrates a multi-pronged approach. Research and research training are integrated with community and industry links, a broad-ranging public lecture, workshops, seminar programs and winter schools.
While recognising UTS's strong links with industry and the professions, TfC focusses on research leadership through the development of experimental and innovative research projects. Accordingly, TfC is supported by funding from a diverse range of sources, including ARC Linkage, Discovery and Fellowship grants. Four of its scholars are members of the CRN (Cultural Research Network).
Past Research
TfC's previous research agenda was organised into these 5 themes. Find out more about projects completed within these themes here: Cultural History, Cultural Interaction and New Media, International Activism, Place and Environment and Transnational Cultures.
Research Dissemination
In addition to the pursuit of its own research, Transforming Cultures is also committed to the dissemination of cutting-edge cultural research material. This occurs through an established events program, including international conferences and annual post-graduate schools, as well as regular public lectures, forums and a local seminar series. Papers given at the majority of these occasions result in online publication and are available in the Publications section of this website.
There are three journals associated with TfC, the Transforming Cultures eJournal, Portal and The Cultural Studies Review.
TfC emphasises the communication of its research to a wide range of audiences and the dissemination of its results in innovative forms. These can include various media, online publication and forms of new writing. The mission also includes a determination to undertake research that is useful to society, and to interact with communities in the definition and conduct of this research and its dissemination. We welcome comments and ideas from fellow academics, community members, and those who are working in the public service, in local industries and in community groups around the region. New project submissions from prospective partners are considered at any point in the year. To make or discuss a submission, contact us.
Organisation
Transforming Cultures is structured to facilitate networking on a national and international basis. The research programs are determined through engagement with partners and representatives form the constituencies in which we operate. This requires us to network flexibly in an interdisciplinary environment. We have a management structure that combines responsibility with consultation, but which is also audited both intellectually and financially by our peers and the University research structures. We also respond to the advice of our External Advisory Board.
