Western Sydney University researchers have been awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Initiatives grant valued at over $180,000 to explore the participation of diverse groups in the creation of Australia's digital cultural heritage.
Associate Professor Rachel Hendery, from the University's School of Humanities and Communication Arts' Digital Humanities Research Group, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development and co-lead of the Intergener8 Living Lab as part of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at the Institute for Culture and Society, will lead the project titled: Seeing yourself in Australian digital cultural heritage.
"In modern Australia, it's essential our museums, galleries and archives reflect what is important to all of us as we move into the digital age," said Associate Professor Hendery.
"The project aims to support accessibility, participation and engagement with cultural heritage by testing best practices for engaging diverse communities. Through this research, we hope to broaden the public's access to collections, and to support the telling of a wide range of lesser-known stories through digital technology."
Western Sydney University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Research, Enterprise and International) Professor Deborah Sweeney welcomed the grant success.
"This project epitomises research with impact. Importantly, it will strengthen the voices of diverse communities and develop digital strategies to tell our shared history in a more accessible and equitable way," said Professor Sweeney.
Additional members of the research team include Professor Jonathon Allen, Head of the University's high-achieving student program, The Academy; Dr Kylie Budge, School of Humanities and Communication Arts and Institute for Culture and Society; Ms Kate Richards, School of Humanities and Communication Arts and MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development; and Mr Noel Burgess, Office of Technical Support Services. The project will receive ongoing support from the University's Office of Technical Support Services.
Under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Initiatives scheme, the Australian Government supports high-quality research into Australian society, history and culture.
