Research Projects & Publications
For over 15 years, the Writing and Society Research Centre has been a leading Australian Centre for Literary Studies and Creative Writing. The Centre is dedicated to investigating the social and cultural power of writing and literature, with particular emphasis upon First Nations research, and upon the Greater Western Sydney region and its vital links to global diasporas. WRSC is proud of its enviable track record of research excellence and continues to produce research projects and publications of exceptional quality and impact.
Current research projects include Prof. Alexis Wright and Prof. Anthony Uhlmann’s ARC Indigenous Discovery, ‘Like The Thunder’: Seeing Stories in the Gulf Country (2024-2026); A/Prof. Ben Etherington’s ARC Discovery, Creole Voices in the Caribbean and Australia: Poetics and Decolonisation (2022-2024); the Sydney Review of Books;and A/Prof. Kate Fagan and Dr Catriona Menzies-Pike’s grant-funded mentoring program for emerging GWS writers and artworkers, The Writing Zone (2020-2024). A/Prof. Lorraine Sim is currently undertaking an extensive project called Happy Modernisms, while A/Prof. Anne Jamison is conducting funded research into 19th century Irish literatures, including work within the archives of the Hesburgh Libraries (US).
Notable past projects have included the ARC Discovery, Other Worlds: Forms of World Literature, involving Prof. Alexis Wright, A/Prof. Ben Etherington, Prof. Anthony Uhlmann, Prof. Ivor Indyk, Prof. Nicholas Jose and Prof. Gail Jones; A.Prof. Chris Andrews’ ARC Discovery, Potential Literatures; and Prof. Anthony Uhlmann and Prof. Moira Gatens’ ARC Discovery, Spinoza and Literature for Life: A Practical Theory of Art.
Public engagement is an important part of the Centre’s contribution to literary cultures, particularly within Western Sydney, where it has been a leader in creative engagement with the region. The Centre has nurtured many significant literary and cultural partnerships including Ageing Creatively, the China Australia Literary Forum, the Finishing School Collective and The Writing Zone. Most recently, in partnership with Sydney Review of Books and the City of Parramatta, the Centre has launched the inaugural Parramatta Laureate.
The Centre is home to two eminent publishing endeavours: the Sydney Review of Books, Australia’s premier literary review; and Giramondo Publishing, one of the most decorated independent publishers in Australia.
Writing and Society Research Centre members, postgraduate students and alumni are actively engaged with both literary and academic publishing.