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A/Prof. Leonie Rutherford

STAFF PROFILE

Position

Associate Professor of Writing and Literature

Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

Department

School of Comm & Creative Arts

Campus

Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus

Research interests

Children's and youth literature and media; digital literacies; television studies;  multiplatform textualities; narratology; screen media and children’s environmental and health knowledges and consumption practices; animation and graphic genres; fantasy; nineteenth-century women's poetry and publishing; media and publishing history; empirical social research methods; critical institutional analysis

Affiliations

  • Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
  • Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
  • International Association for Communication and Media Research (IAMCR)
  • Raising Children Australia
  • International Communications Association (ICA)
  • Australian and New Zealand Communications Association (ANZCA)
     

Teaching interests

  • Children's and Youth Literature and Multiplatform Textualities
  • Adaptation
  • Narrative Theory
  • Research led writing projects

Units taught

  • ALL228 - The Golden Age in Children's Literature
  • ALL230 - Re-imagining literature for Young People
  • ALL721 - Writing Fiction for Young Adults
  • ALL 784 - Writing and Film
  • ALL743 - Foundations in Narrative Theory

Knowledge areas

Children's and youth literature and media; multiplatform textualities; narratology; digital literacies; digital television industry; television studies; longitudinal data analysis; role of media on children's health and behavioural outcomes; nineteenth-century women's poetry and publishing; media and publishing history; empirical social research methods; critical institutional analysis

Research groups

  • Leader: Teenagers Reading and Digital Practices Research Group, Affililated with the Strategic Research Centre for Educational Impact
  • Crisis Energy Publication Syndicate
  • The Warrnambool Collective

Projects

Current Research Projects

  1. Teen Reading and Digital Practices, http://www.teenreading.net
  2. Early childhood digital media practices and their health, sustainability and consumption behaviours.

Publications

Filter by

2022

Beyond the "good story" and sales history: where is the reader in the publishing process?

K Johanson, L Rutherford, B Reddan

(2022), pp. 1-16, Cultural Trends, London, England, C1

journal article

Selfies and shelfies on #bookstagram and #booktok-social media and the mediation of Australian teen reading

M Dezuanni, B Reddan, L Rutherford, A Schoonens

(2022), pp. 1-18, Learning, Media and Technology, London, Eng., C1

journal article

#Ownvoices, disruptive platforms, and reader reception in young adult publishing

Leonie Rutherford, Katya Johanson, Bronwyn Reddan

(2022), Vol. 38, pp. 573-585, Publishing Research Quarterly, Berlin, Germany, C1

journal article

Cultural pathways to teen reading: Publishing industry challenges

Katya Johanson, Leonie Rutherford

(2022), Geelong, Vic., A6

research report/technical paper
2021

Storytelling as Intergenerational Connection: Challenging Ageism through Metafiction in Recent Writing for Young People

Samantha Stephens, Leonie Rutherford

(2021), Vol. 59, pp. 58-68, BOOKBIRD-A JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS LITERATURE, C1

journal article
2020

The use of reader response in the practice of readers and writers: A case study

Michelle Mcrae, Leonie Rutherford, Geoff Boucher

(2020), Vol. 18, pp. 1-21, Synergy, Melbourne, Vic., C1

journal article
2019

Using modernist techniques to promote deep reading in Y.A. fiction

M McRae, L Rutherford

(2019), Vol. 16, pp. 128-138, New Writing, C1

journal article
2018

Adolescents' attitudes toward talking about books: implications for educators

M Merga, M McRae, L Rutherford

(2018), Vol. 52, pp. 36-53, English in education, Chichester, Eng., C1

journal article

Influences on Australian adolescents' recreational reading

L Rutherford, M Merga, A Singleton

(2018), Vol. 2018, pp. 44-56, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, C1

journal article

Do digital devices enhance teenagers' recreational reading engagement? Issues for library policy from a recent study in two Australian states

L Rutherford, A Singleton, L Derr, M Merga

(2018), Vol. 37, pp. 318-340, Public Library Quarterly, C1

journal article

Evaluating the Impact of Teacher-designed, Wellbeing and Sustainability Play-based Learning Experiences on Young Children's Knowledge Connections: A Randomised Trial

H Morris, S Edwards, A Cutter-Mackenzie, L Rutherford, J Williams-Smith, H Skouteris

(2018), Vol. 43, pp. 33-42, Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, C1

journal article
2017

Countours of teenagers' reading in the digital era: scoping the research

L Rutherford, L Waller, M Merga, M Mcrae, E Bullen, K Johanson

(2017), Vol. 23, pp. 27-46, New review of children's literature and librarianship, Abingdon, Eng., C1

journal article

Teen reading in the digital era: Snapshot Report March 2017

L Rutherford, K Johanson, L Waller, M McRae

(2017), Burwood, Victoria, A6

research report/technical paper
2016

Body consciousness and adolescence in The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011)

L Rutherford

(2016), pp. 253-274, Children in the films of Steven Spielberg, Lanham, Md., B1

book chapter

Young children learning about well-being and environmental education in the early years: a funds of knowledge approach

S Edwards, H Skouteris, A Cutter-Mackenzie, L Rutherford, M O’Conner, A Mantilla, H Morris, S Elliot

(2016), Vol. 36, pp. 33-50, Early Years, C1

journal article

Feasibility of conducting a randomized trial to promote healthy eating, active play and sustainability awareness in early childhood curricula

H Morris, H Skouteris, S Edwards, L Rutherford, A Cutter-Mackenzie, A O'Connor, A Mantilla, T Huang, K Lording, J Williams-Smith

(2016), Vol. 186, pp. 1752-1764, Early child development and care, London, Eng., C1

journal article

Paranormal Politics and the Romance of Urban Subcultures: Youth Mobility in Cassandra Clare's and Melissa Marr's Fantasy Texts

Leonie Rutherford, Elizabeth Bullen, Lenise Prater

(2016), Vol. 8, pp. 66-88, JEUNESSE-YOUNG PEOPLE TEXTS CULTURES, C1

journal article
2015

Obesity prevention interventions in early childhood education and care settings with parental involvement: a systematic review

H Morris, H Skouteris, S Edwards, L Rutherford

(2015), Vol. 185, pp. 1283-1313, Early child development and care, London, Eng., C1

journal article

Screen media, parenting practices, and the family environment in Australia: a longitudinal study of young children's media use, lifestyles, and outcomes for healthy weight

L Rutherford, J Brown, H Skouteris, M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M Bittman

(2015), Vol. 9, pp. 22-39, Journal of children and media, Abingdon, England, C1

journal article

Re-imagining the literary brand

L Rutherford

(2015), Vol. 18, pp. 1-11, M/C Journal, Brisbane, Qld., C1

journal article
2014

Promoting obesity prevention together with environmental sustainability

H Skouteris, R Cox, T Huang, L Rutherford, S Edwards, A Cutter-Mackenzie

(2014), Vol. 29, pp. 454-462, Health promotion international, Oxford, England, C1

journal article

Forgotten histories: ephemeral culture for children and the digital archive

L Rutherford

(2014), pp. 66-71, Media International Australia, Incorporating Culture and Policy, St Lucia, Qld., C1

journal article

The ABC, the Australian Children's Television Foundation, and the emergence of digital children's television in Australia

L Rutherford

(2014), Vol. 151, pp. 5-15, Media international Australia, incorporating culture and policy, Brisbane, Qld., C1

journal article

Promoting healthy eating, active play and sustainability consciousness in early childhood curricula, addressing the Ben10™ problem: a randomised control trial

H Skouteris, S Edwards, L Rutherford, A Cutter-MacKenzie, T Huang, A O'Connor

(2014), Vol. 14, pp. 1-6, BMC Public health, London, England, C1

journal article
2013

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's multiplatform projects : industrial logics of children's content provision in the digital television era

L Rutherford, A Brown

(2013), Vol. 19, pp. 201-221, Convergence : the international journal of research into new media technologies, London, England, C1

journal article

TV viewing behaviour among preschoolers : implications for public health recommendations

R Cox, H Skouteris, D Dell'Aquila, L Hardy, L Rutherford

(2013), Vol. 49, Journal of paediatrics and child health, Chichester, England, C1

journal article
2012

Television viewing, television content, food intake, physical activity and body mass index : a cross-sectional study of preschool children aged 2-6 years

R Cox, H Skouteris, L Rutherford, M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, D Dell' Aqulia, L Hardy

(2012), Vol. 23, pp. 58-62, Health promotion journal of Australia, Maroochydore, Qld., C1

journal article

The association between television viewing and preschool child body mass index : a systematic review of english papers published from 1995 to 2010

R Cox, H Skouteris, L Rutherford, M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz

(2012), Vol. 6, pp. 198-220, Journal of children and media, Abingdon, England, C1

journal article

It's all about Ben10TM : children's play, health and sustainability decisions in the early years

S Edwards, H Skouteris, L Rutherford, A Cutter-Mackenzie

(2012), pp. 1-14, Early child development and care, Abingdon, England, C1

journal article

Digital natives? : new and old media and children's language acquisition

M Bittman, L Rutherford, J Brown, L Unsworth

(2012), Vol. 91, pp. 18-26, Family matters, Melbourne, Vic., C1

journal article

Generating new knowledge in early childhood education: aligning contemporary health, wellbeing and sustainability issues with research into children's play

H Skouteris, L Rutherford, S Edwards, A Cutter-Mackenzie

(2012), Melbourne, Vic., A6

research report/technical paper

What to do when you can't (afford to) collect your own data? : a test case using the longitudinal study of Australian children to investigate the influence of parental context on media use and obesity

L Rutherford, J Brown, H Skouteris, M Bittman

(2012), pp. 1-13, ANZCA 2012 : Communicating Change and Changing Communication in the 21st Century, Adelaide, S. A., E1

conference

Effects of new and old media on young children's language acquisition, development, and early literacy : findings from a longitudinal study of Australian children

L Rutherford, M Bittman, J Brown

(2012), pp. 1-19, ICA 2012 : Communication and Community : Proceedings of the 62nd Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, Phoenix, Ariz., E1

conference
2011

Postcolonial play : constructions of multicultural identities in ABC children's projects

A Brown, L Rutherford

(2011), Vol. 14, pp. 1-6, M/C : a journal of media and culture, Brisbane, Qld, C1

journal article

Children's content regulation and the 'obesity epidemic'

L Rutherford, D Biron, H Skouteris

(2011), pp. 47-60, Media international Australia incorporating culture and policy, St Lucia, QLD, C1

journal article

Multiplatform innovation and participatory citizenship : the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's digital children's television projects

L Rutherford, A Brown

(2011), Vol. 2, pp. 44-65, Citizenship and Globalisation Research Papers, v.2, no.3, Burwood, Vic., C1

journal article

Digital natives? New and old media and children's outcomes.

M Bittman, L Rutherford, J Brown, L Unsworth

(2011), Vol. 55, pp. 161-175, Australian journal of education, Camberwell, Vic., C1

journal article
2010

Call for research - the consuming child-in-context in unhealthy and unsustainable times

H Skouteris, M Do, L Rutherford, A Cutter-Mackenzie, S Edwards

(2010), Vol. 26, pp. 33-45, Australian journal of environmental education, Bellingen, N.S.W., C1

journal article
2009

Industries, artists, friends and fans : marketing young adult fictions online

L Rutherford

(2009), Vol. 14, pp. 1-9, First Monday, Copenhagen, Demark, C1

journal article

Communication outside the humanities in media 'effect' research

L Rutherford

(2009), Vol. 6, pp. 133-142, International journal of the humanities, Altona, Vic., C1

journal article
2008

Adolescence and abuse : trauma and the socio-sexual abject in John Duigans lawn dogs

L Rutherford

(2008), Vol. 158, pp. 136-140, Metro, Melbourne, Vic., C1

journal article
2007

The consumer socialisation of children

P Corrigan, L Rutherford

(2007), pp. 297-302, Media and communications in Australian families 2007, Belconnen, A.C.T., B1-1

book chapter

Hearth and Hotmail : the domestic sphere as commodity and community in cyberspace

D Brien, L Rutherford, R Williamson

(2007), Vol. 10, pp. 1-7, M/C journal, Brisbane, Qld., C1-1

journal article
2004

Teen Futures: Discourses of Alienation, the Social and Technology in Australian Science-Fiction Television Series

L Rutherford

(2004), pp. 29-40, Teen TV : genre, consumption, identity, London, U. K., B1-1

book chapter

Negotiating masculinities : 'Yolngu Boy'

L Rutherford

(2004), pp. 62-69, Metro, St Kilda, Vic., C1-1

journal article

(Pan-)animal magics : ecofeminist ethics and aesthetics in the Web

L Rutherford

(2004), pp. 128-133, Metro, St Kilda, Vic., C1-1

journal article
2003

Australian animation aesthetics

L Rutherford

(2003), Vol. 27, pp. 251-267, The lion and the unicorn : a critical journal of children's literature, Baltimore, Md., C1-1

journal article
2001

The ATCF genre

L Rutherford

(2001), Vol. 11, pp. 5-13, Papers : explorations into children's literature, Burwood, Vic., C1-1

journal article

Funded Projects at Deakin

Australian Competitive Grants

Digital Natives: Growing up with new and old media in Australia

Prof Michael Bittman, A/Prof Leonie Rutherford, Prof Len Unsworth

ARC Linkage - Projects Rnd 2

  • 2012: $10,000
  • 2011: $10,000
  • 2010: $10,000

Promoting healthy eating, active play and sustainability awareness in early childhood curricula: Addressing the Ben10 problem

Prof Helen Skouteris, A/Prof Suzy Edwards, A/Prof Leonie Rutherford, A/Prof Amy Cutter-McKenzie

ARC - Discovery Projects

  • 2016: $73,619
  • 2015: $73,845
  • 2014: $72,236

Discovering a 'good read': Pathways to reading for Australian teens

A/Prof Leonie Rutherford, Dr Michael Dezuanni, Prof Katya Johanson, Prof Andrew Singleton, A/Prof Donald Matheson, Dr Susan La Marca

ARC Linkage - Projects

  • 2022: $31,059
  • 2021: $102,849
  • 2020: $95,045
  • 2019: $51,907

Other Public Sector Funding

Evaluation of a Healthy Lifestyle Intervention Targeting Young People Living in Out-of-home Care

Prof Helen Skouteris, A/Prof Leonie Rutherford, Miss Rachael Cox

NHMRC Scholarship

  • 2015: $18,782
  • 2014: $23,411
  • 2013: $26,904

Industry and Other Funding

Australian Teenagers' Reading Behaviour in the Digital Era

A/Prof Leonie Rutherford, Prof Katya Johanson, A/Prof Lisa Waller, Dr Elizabeth Bullen, Dr Margaret Merga

Copyright Agency Limited

  • 2019: $1,346
  • 2016: $16,000

Australian adolescents and reading: discoverability, social enablers, and digital inclusion

A/Prof Leonie Rutherford, Prof Katya Johanson

Copyright Agency Limited

  • 2022: $29,051
  • 2020: $24,264
  • 2019: $26,506

Supervisions

Principal Supervisor
2022

Samantha Stephens

Thesis entitled: From Conflict to Kinship: Renegotiating Age in Youth Fantasy Fiction

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

2018

Michelle McRae

Thesis entitled: Textual Strategies for Promoting Deep Reading in Adolescents

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

Associate Supervisor
2018

Gabrielle Anne Ryan

Thesis entitled: The Gothic as Transgressive Mode of Representation in Australian Women's Historical Fiction

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

Heather Marie Morris

Thesis entitled: Fostering knowledge connections between healthy eating, active play and sustainability in early childhood education

Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology

2017

Mitchell David Cunningham

Thesis entitled: Performing the 'Fiction-Writer's Reader': David Foster Wallace and Critical Rhetoric

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

2016

Catherine Sly

Thesis entitled: A Narratological Investigation of Australian Graphic Novels for Children

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

2014

Grady Clare Hancock

Thesis entitled: Re-visioning Australian social realism through a feminine lens

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

2013

Katrina Hansord

Thesis entitled: 'spirit-music' Unbound: Romanticism and Print Politics in Australian Women's Poetry (1830-1905)

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts

2009

Joanna Walkden Harris

Thesis entitled: Feminist Perspectives on Gender Ideology in Recent Young Adult Literature

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Communication and Creative Arts