Faculty of Arts academics have recently been recognised through a multitude of successful grants, fellowships and honours.

GRANTS

ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) 2025 outcomes

Dr Emily Hughes, Philosophy

A lone or lonely life? Lived experiences of loneliness in autistic women.

Autistic people experience depression, anxiety, and suicidality to a greater extent than non-autistic people. Loneliness has been shown to be an important, causally contributing factor that can exacerbate suffering. Yet, experiences of loneliness in autism remain poorly understood; particularly in the case of autistic women, who are often un-, mis-, or late-diagnosed due to the dominant male-based conception of autism. In redressing this problematic gap, the aim of this project is to characterise experiences of loneliness in autistic women by prioritising their own voices; to determine what these reveal about the autistic self in relation to others; and to use this knowledge to improve the well-being of autistic women across the lifespan.

$483,379

Dr Raphaël Millière, Philosophy

Philosophical Foundations of Mechanistic Understanding in AI.

This project aims to design a comprehensive theoretical framework to understand the behaviour of AI systems mechanistically. By integrating insights from philosophy, cognitive science, and computer science, the project will bridge the gap between the low-level mechanisms and observable behaviours of AI systems. Expected outcomes include the development of novel interpretability methods, significant academic publications including a monograph, an international conference, and enhanced collaborations across global academic and industry sectors. The project is anticipated to advance our theoretical understanding of AI systems and apply these insights to critical safety issues, thereby contributing to the responsible evolution of AI technology.

$364,904

Dr Richard Savery, MCCALL

Robot Musicians: Long-term Use, Group Dynamics, and Artificial Intelligence.

This project aims to investigate long-term interaction and group dynamics in artificial intelligence (AI), through the lens of robotic musicianship. It will use a custom robot platform and the construction of three new drumming and rapping robots, placing them in musical situations for extended periods and in ensembles. This project will develop new knowledge in how AI can be integrated in daily usage, beyond existing digital interfaces. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of trust, fluency, and generalizable approaches to AI. This will provide public benefits by enhancing cultural experiences and developing commercial opportunities through the innovative integration of AI in the creative industries.

$476,941

Dr Diana Tan, Education

Fostering a sense of belonging for neurodivergent university students.

This project is the first major study into understanding why neurodivergent students often feel like they do not belong in universities. Using innovative ways to learn how daily encounters at universities can impact neurodivergent students’ sense of belonging, this project will generate new knowledge of what it means to belong and how to foster belonging among neurodivergent students. Outcomes include a better understanding of how marginalised people conceptualise belonging and a practice guideline for the creation of a more inclusive university environment for neurodivergent students. Expected benefits include improved university experiences for these students and contributing to a more inclusive society overall.

$487,562

2025 Macquarie University Research Fellowship (MQRF) success

Dr Paul-Mikhail Catapang Podosky, Philosophy. Sponsors: Dr Adam Hochman and Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson

What to do with ‘Mixed-Race’? A New Critical Historical Approach

‘Mixed-race’ has a fractured legacy. For some, it is a positive vehicle for identity expression; for others, a painful reminder of a colonial history. I clarify whether there is space for ‘mixed-race’ as we strive for racial justice. Specifically, I explore an under theorised curiosity: if ‘mixed-race’ has an unjust origin, should it continue today? I introduce a methodology for terminological politics called legacy analysis, which examines the conditions for a legacy to change from unjust origins. Answering this helps to reimagine contemporary racialisation, an imperative in the Australian context. I expect to complete a monograph, published with Oxford University Press.

Dr June Rubis, Social Sciences. Sponsor: Prof Sandie Suchet-Pearson

Decolonial Cartographies: Recentering Indigenous sovereignties in biodiversity mapping processes and global data registries

Indigenous peoples, through their active presencing on their territories, are important actors in biodiversity conservation global targets. This project aims to understand how Southeast Asian Indigenous custodians’ complex, interdependent relationships of care and conservation are (and are not) mapped and registered in global conservation efforts. This project is significant as it will determine how decolonial cartographies - emergent from Indigenous worldviews and knowledges - can be mobilised from the ground-up and inform national and global policy processes. Expected outcomes and benefits are novel mapping approaches, nurturing practices of environmental care, and stronger engagement by Indigenous custodians in global conservation processes.

Dr Emily Hughes, Philosophy. Sponsors: Dr Regina Fabry and Prof Robert Sinnerbrink

A lone or lonely life? Lived experiences of loneliness in autistic women

Autistic people experience depression, anxiety, and suicidality to a greater extent than nonautistic people. Loneliness has been shown to be a causally contributing factor that can exacerbate suffering. Yet, experiences of loneliness in autism remain poorly understood; particularly in the case of autistic women, who are often un-, mis-, or late-diagnosed due to the male-based conception of autism. In redressing this gap, the aim of this project is to characterise experiences of loneliness in autistic women; to determine what these reveal about the autistic self; and to use this knowledge to improve the well-being of autistic women across the lifespan.

Emily has also been awarded an ARC DECRA so has opted to relinquish the MQRF.

Writing fellowship

Dr Intan Paramaditha, from the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature, has been awarded a prestigious Civitella Ranieri Writing Fellowship, taking residency in Umbria, Italy from 2025-2026. 25 global awardees were selected from a highly competitive nomination and jury process by a group of distinguished artists, academics and critics. Civitella Ranieri Fellows have often proceeded to numerous honours including Pulitzer Prizes and Fulbright Grants. During her residency, Dr Paramaditha will work on her new novel based on the lives women intellectuals erased from Indonesian history.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Faculty promotions: Level C

Macquarie School of Social Sciences:

  • Chris Vasantkumar

Macquarie School of Education:

  • Susan Caldis

Macquarie Law School:

  • Amanda Head
  • Mareike Riedel

Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language, and Literature:

  • Jasna Novak Milic
  • Rowan Tulloch

Faculty of Arts

  • James Mackenzie

The Treasury presentation

On Friday 20 September 2024, Associate Professor Sung-Young Kim, from the Macquarie School of Social Sciences, was invited to present a lecture at The Treasury in Canberra as part of its ‘International Economics and Security Seminar Series’. His lecture, entitled ‘Why government leadership is key to understanding Korea’s approach to greening its economy’, detailed the South Korean government’s efforts to promote ‘Green Growth’ as the heart of their renewable energy transitions. As the Australian government moves forward with the ‘Future Made in Australia’ plan, Korea’s success in coordinating industrial initiatives in the green economy could be of immense benefit.

2024 Korea-NSW Business Forum

On Thursday 12 September 2024, the Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea (Sydney) and the Investment NSW hosted the 2024 ‘Korea-NSW Business Forum’ at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. This year’s theme centred on the Achievements and Future Cooperation on the 10th Anniversary of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA). Associate Professor Sung-Young Kim moderated discussions on the macro economic patterns of trade and investment in Australia and Korea presented by Ellena Cho (Deputy Director of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)) and Stephen Walters (Chief Economist of the Business Council of Australia). Participants shared important ideas for driving economic cooperation in advancing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's ‘Future Made in Australia’ plan, to seize the enormous business opportunities involved in reaching carbon neutral status by 2050, driving new innovations in integrating Artificial Intelligence in our working lives, and working together in navigating an increasingly uncertain geo-political environment.