Research
Join our supportive community
Learn how our highly regarded research drives dialogue across the communication and creative arts sectors. Get to know our research centres and groups and become a partner – we collaborate with government, industry and community.
Choose Deakin for communication and creative arts research
The School of Communication and Creative Arts is a leader in socially engaged and impactful research. Our research spans media and communication, literary and cultural studies, and creative, digital and performing arts.
Choose a Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) to further your skills and contribute to the knowledge in your field. Our expert staff include award-winning and internationally renowned artists, writers and performers, and leading published scholars.
Discover our research strengths and find a supervisor
Do you want to contribute new ideas that make a lasting impact? When you study a research degree or postdoctoral research at the School of Communication and Creative Arts, you'll be supported by world-renowned researchers who conduct research across several discipline areas. You can rest assured that you’ll be learning from the best in your field.
World-class research
Research at Deakin ranks well above world standard for studies in communications and creative arts. This ranking reflects our course quality, cutting-edge facilities, leading academics and outstanding graduate outcomes.
My PhD explores the way cinema illuminates the human condition, such as love, loss, memory, forgiveness that may have been lost or silenced within the frantic pace of contemporary life. The support and knowledge of my supervision panel has been invaluable, helping me to grow as a student, individual and young researcher.
PhD student in School of Communication and Creative Arts
Our research centres and groups
The School of Communication and Creative Arts researchers are active across the Faculty of Arts and Education and lead the following research centre and groups.
Deakin Motion Lab
This centre is an interdisciplinary research and knowledge community focused on digital screen experiences. We investigate the opportunities, constraints and implications of emerging screen technologies in real-life contexts.
Deakin Digital Life Lab
This group is concerned with understanding the digital infrastructures that connect societies to develop critiques of these connections. Co-convened by Associate Professor Toija Cinque and Dr Luke Heemsbergen.
Advancing Rural, Regional Culture and Society
This group explores the future sustainability and resilience of regional environments and communities in the face of overarching social, environmental, educational and economic challenges. Co-convened by Professor Kristy Hess and Dr Rachel Fetherston.
Deakin Asian Media, Culture and Society Research Group
This group draws on scholars from across the arts, social science and humanities disciplines, who work in both national and transnational Asian contexts. Co-convened by Associate Professor Sue Chen and Dr Jian Xu.
Deakin Public Exchange Bureau
This school group seeks to investigate how pan-disciplinary creative research can build new and important connections with community and industry stakeholders with a specific focus on resilience, wellbeing, aesthetic innovation and diversity. Co-convened by Associate Professor Cameron Bishop and Dr Katie Lee.
Reading Writing Futures
This school group investigates the role that practices of writing and reading have played in developing social and cultural transformation and how we can build on these to imagine possible futures. Co-convened by Associate Professor Geoff Boucher and Associate Professor Kristine Moruzi.
Find a scholarship
Reach your full potential and achieve your career goals with the support of a research degree or PhD scholarship. Our top scholarships recognise and reward students from a range of backgrounds and interest areas.
Featured projects
Public art and climate change awareness
Dr Fiona Hillary shares how a PhD in public art enabled her to create an immersive 360-degree experience encouraging audiences to consider their implication in climate change.
Deakin Motion Lab
Deakin Motion Lab focuses on three areas of emerging technology research within the visual arts industries. Each of the projects showcase research in virtual production, participatory screen, and immersive realities.
Be part of research that’s above world standard
Our research-intensive environment delivers and translates high-quality world-class research into outcomes that are relevant and meaningful to our communities. We partner with government, industry and community to contribute to a better tomorrow.
Contact us
Get in touch if you have any questions regarding research in the School of Communication and Creative Arts.
General research enquiries
Professor Cassandra Atherton, Associate Head of School (Research)
Email Professor Atherton
Higher degree by research enquiries
Associate Professor Kristin Demetrious, HDR Coordinator
Email Associate Professor Demetrious
