Scholarship

Scholarship

2022 RTP RECONNECTING TO RIVERS INDIGENOUS CREATIVE WRITING PHD

Applications close: 30 August 2021

‘Reconnecting to Rivers’ is a Curtin research project that explores how waterways of the Swan Coastal Plain have been utilised, managed and valued over time, both by Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. The project centres on Blackadder Creek in the riverine valley east of Perth, an area where many creeks and streams combine to drain into the Swan River. 

‘Reconnecting to Rivers’ is primarily an Aboriginal-led, place-based project where research into Noongar cultural heritage, water biodiversity, ecology, conservation and creative works will be brought together and in an Indigenous informed, two-way learning project that speaks to a better water management future. An important part of the project is the planned yarning circles with Noongar community members with connection to the Blackadder Creek area, from which research outcomes will be inspired. The project is taking its lead from Indigenous deep connection to place to generate an understanding of how these water landscapes have been used, managed and valued over time by Traditional Custodians, complimented by water histories from the wider community.  

The project is Indigenous-led, and the research aims to contribute to long-term culturally appropriate water management prospects, with other Indigenous-led projects across the State relating Healthy Country and Caring for Country to the management of groundwater, wetlands and river systems.  

The ‘Reconnecting to Rivers’ team is inviting applications for PhD positions from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander creatives and writers to work with the project team on creative practice research that relates to rivers, wetlands or underground water. 
We are seeking aligned project proposals in creative writing that explore and articulate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and engagements with landscape and place. This could be about the area of Blackadder Creek – the focus area of our study – or the wider waterscapes of the Swan Coastal Plain, or elsewhere, in a place with strong connections to the applicant. 

The project will: 

• Require the development of a specific written creative project such as a major work/collection of poetry, memoir, fiction, creative non-fiction, or translation.
• The creative work will be accompanied by a substantial scholarly exegesis, as is the requirement with creative writing PhDs. 

For further information please see the following link: https://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/Scholarship/?id=5475

To enquire about this project opportunity, contact the Project lead (listed below).
Name: Dr Joanne Jones 
Email:[email protected]
Contact Number: 9266 3586