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Deakin Centre for Contemporary Histories
Concerned with pasts that are not yet past
How our research illuminates contemporary society
The Deakin Centre for Contemporary Histories investigates and translates the unresolved aspects of historical research into actionable insights that shape contemporary society. Our research spans Australia’s Indigenous past, cultural evolution and global contemporary history dynamics. Through these efforts, we address current societal challenges and contribute to meaningful change.
Our research pillars
We tackle historical and societal issues through four core research pillars, providing insights that enhance our understanding of how the past shapes the present. These pillars offer a focused approach to addressing modern challenges.
Humanity and story: past, present and future through traditional and non-traditional narratives
In an era of serious challenges to the human condition, it is more necessary than ever to dive deeply into what it is to be human. At the heart of understanding change and continuity across generations lies strong story-telling. Projects under this pillar demonstrate the diversity of human stories, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous origins, written and oral forms, historical, poetic and literary genres, and works that bridge traditional scholarly with non-traditional formats.
Aggregations and explanations of change: data, survey and AI
Counting social data and positing correlations between different sets of data is becoming increasingly sophisticated and accessible. But correlation is not the same as causation, and the best explanations of change feature rich contextual information. Projects under this pillar include historical records relating to health and data on Australian attitudes towards inclusion/exclusion. They highlight the importance of strong, trusted data and the importance of being able to interpret it accurately in explanations of change.
History of the present: interpreting the maelstrom
While the history of the present is a concept sketched by Foucault and others, the state we are in also invites accessible and multi-layered interpretation of rapid changes experienced in Australia and the world more broadly. Historical and creative narratives help explicate the present with reference to how the past is being used and can be used. Projects under this pillar include investigations relating to the state of democracy, security, and extremism. Collectively, they help to build a history of our times according to a past that is not ended.
Community, heritage and collections: power, records and materials
Who and what we are invited to remember is always selective and depends on the work of those who are able to shape our remembering. Acts of remembering reflect the times we live in and also carry the power to change attitudes. Projects undertaken under this pillar investigate relationships between collectors, archivists and heritage policies and practices. They also feature curatorial needs and community-led building of collections, including Indigenous-non-Indigenous collaborations and regional perspectives.
Contribute to meaningful historical insights
Get involved with our research on contemporary histories. Connect with our researchers, learn more about our projects or discuss partnership opportunities.
Bringing Geelong's sporting past to life
As part of Deakin’s mission to connect with our communities, we're partnering with the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust to help create the Geelong Sports Museum. Our researchers are delving into the Geelong region's rich sporting history, uncovering forgotten aspects and securing historical artefacts for public display.
Our researchers
The Deakin Centre for Contemporary Histories brings together a dynamic team of over 50 researchers investigating diverse topics such as Australia’s Indigenous history, cultural transmission, religious change and the political uses of history.
Cassandra Atherton is the co-director of the Deakin Centre for Contemporary Histories. Her research focuses on prose poetry, particularly the role of poets as public intellectuals and hibakusha poets. Cassandra is an award-winning author and editor, with over 30 published works and numerous grants supporting her research on atomic bomb poetry and poetic biographies of the elderly.
David Lowe is the co-director of the Deakin Centre for Contemporary Histories. He is a historian specialising in modern international relations and Australia’s role in world affairs. David’s work focuses on the historical dimensions of contemporary policy issues and he is the co-founder of the Australian Policy and History Network, which encourages historians to inform current policy debates.
Featured projects
Our researchers at the Deakin Centre for Contemporary Histories are engaged in groundbreaking projects that examine how historical narratives influence contemporary issues and public perceptions.
Understanding medievalism’s modern impact
This project explores how medieval narratives continue to shape contemporary identities and ideologies. By examining how extremists use these narratives in popular culture, we develop strategies to counteract such propaganda and foster political tolerance.
Tracing the evolution of Australian national security
This project traces the historical development of national security in Australia from 1901 to 2021, focusing on its implications for modern policy and public discourse. Our aim is to bridge gaps between national security experts and the wider Australian community, fostering a deeper understanding of this crucial issue.
