Collaboration between ICS, HCA, SoSS and Law – Funding Initiative 2025

The Schools of Humanities and Communication Arts (HCA), Social Sciences (SoSS), and Law have partnered with the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) to launch a new research capacity-building initiative. The scheme focuses on fostering cross-unit collaboration and supporting School-based researchers—particularly projects led by early-career researchers (ECRs). Co-funded by ICS and the Schools', the initiative aims to strengthen institutional ties and embed a strong culture of research development.

This initiative supports research projects from the ground up—starting with small seed funding to test out ideas and aiming to grow these into larger projects that can attract major external funding or consultancy opportunities.

We’re pleased to announce that 12 projects have been funded under this new scheme, reflecting the strength and diversity of research across our Schools and Institutes. The successful recipients and their projects are as follows:

• “(Re)narrating Western Sydney: Young people and the politics of place”
  Research team and partner: Dr Genevieve Ritchie, Dr Joshua Kalemba, Dr Alanna Kamp and the African Australian Advocacy Centre (AAAC).
• “From the spatial and visual to the social: How does the design of a local retail centre contribute to a socially cohesive urban space?”
  Research team and partner: Dr Alison Barnes, Dr Dariush Izadi and Prof. Awais Piracha.
• “Six Authors in Search of AI Character: Strategic Anthropomorphism, Fictional Beings, and Machinic Subjectivity”
  Research team and partner: Asso. Prof. Charles Barbour, Dr Norma Lam-Saw, Dr. Jacinta Sassine, Dr Jason Tuckwell, Prof. Liam Magee, Dr Tyne Sumner, Dr Lida Ghahremanlou from Powerhouse and HCA HDR student Jemma Birrell.
• “Why should Australia design disability inclusive, affordable homes that support net zero economy?”
  Research team and partner: Dr Jeeva Sajan and Professor Awais Piracha.
• “Government communication for climate resilience among CALD communities in western Sydney”
  Research team and partner: Dr Luigi Di Martino, Distinguished Prof. Gerard Goggin and Dr Jenna Condie.
• “Exploring Afro-Indigenous Relationalities: Resistance Traditions Through the Arts”
  Research team and partner: Kaiya Aboagye and Professor Alana Lentin.
• “The Pacific’s Cyber Infrastructures: Detangling Regulatory Tensions Amongst Multiple Actors”
  Research team and partner: Dr Francine Hug, Prof. Brett Neilson, and Asso. Prof. Charles Barbour.
• “Significance of street art and skateboards: agonistic governance of sub-cultural infrastructure”
  Research team and partner: Dr Khandakar Farid Uddin, Dr Dan Johnston and Dr Cameron McAuliffe.
• “Embedding culturally responsive practices in music therapy services for Indigenous Australians with disabilities: Strengthening community partnerships and translating knowledge into curriculum reform”
  Research team and partner: Dr Al Fuller, Rachael Mackay, Asso. Prof. Neil Hall.
• “Amplifying Western Sydney Fashion Cultures”
  Research team and partner: Dr Emily Rytmeister, Mr Vincent Tay, Dr Jacqui Willis, Dr Alison Gill and Thuy Nguyen.
• “International Students’ Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence to    Navigate Challenges in Australia: Understanding Practices, Awareness and Risk.”
  Research team and partner: Dr Julia Kantek, Dr Donna James, Distinguished Prof. Gerard Goggin, Prof. Nida Denson and Dr Melissa Phillips.
• “Public trust in AI-generated translation in areas of healthcare and legal services: Perceptions, challenges, and implications for professional and educational practice in Australia”
  Research team and partner: Dr Chong Han, Prof. Jing Han, Dr Kenny Wang, Dr Dae Young Kim and Eva Melhem.

Our sincere thanks to all colleagues who helped bring this initiative to life. We look forward to supporting these research trajectories over the coming year and to seeing the continued growth of a vibrant, collaborative research culture.