Some of Australia’s leading creative minds will gather at USC this week for a lively forum on why creativity and the humanities matter in a rapidly-changing world.

The Creative Humanities Matters Colloquium from 19-21 November will bring together researchers, representatives from Australia’s cultural institutions and a host of cultural practitioners including artists, writers, and performers.

Hosted by USC at its Sippy Downs campus, the program includes keynote addresses from leading experts, panel discussions, workshops, book launches and a film screening.

The three-day event incorporates the annual meeting of the Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres (ACHRC), a network of groups involved in humanities-based research.

Convenor and USC Associate Professor of Art and Design Lisa Chandler said the colloquium would showcase some of the latest arts research in humanities and creative industries.

“It will highlight how creative humanities research and multi-disciplinary practices that involve creativity and critical thinking really matter in negotiating a rapidly-changing world,” Dr Chandler said.

Some of the thought-provoking topics to be presented at the showcase include research on the representation of characters with chronic health conditions in video games and the depiction of equality and law in comics.

Keynote speakers include well-known author, poet and social commentator Dr Anita Heiss on being a ‘creative disruptor’ and Strategic Professor of Creative Arts at Flinders University Julian Meyrick on the value of arts and culture.

Head of USC’s School of Communication and Creative Industries Professor Phil Graham will present an address on how aspects of creative and critical humanities can help guide global social action.

Prominent authors and USC academics Professor Gary Crew, Dr Ross Watkins and Dr Shelley Davidow will discuss creative writing practice and their latest works.

More details are available from the Creative Humanities Matters Colloquium program.

— Clare McKay