I am privileged to call Whadjuk Noongar Boodja home and acknowledge the Noongar peoples as the custodians of this land. I recognise the diversity and strength of all First Nations Australians and I pay my deep respect to Elders of past and present for their wisdom and guidance.
Kirsty J. H. is an academic, educator, and knitwear designer whose work brings together critical research, student-centred teaching, and creative practice. Currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Western Australia, their research explores language, identity, and belonging, with a focus on how the stories we tell shape the ways we understand ourselves and others.
The interdisciplinary core of Kirsty’s academic work in cultural studies, media, communication, and design emerged from a lifelong background in jazz piano and improvisational dance practices. For them, this background in responsive, interpersonal arts praxis in combination with their queer identity meant that their learning of complex theories of power, communication, and identity were framed through a keen awareness of bodily materiality.
In teaching, this combination of praxis and conceptual complexity motivated a passion for making complex ideas accessible, fostering curiosity, and creating inclusive learning environments. This supports students to critically explore complex ideas while bringing their own perspectives and experiences into the conversation.
As a researcher, teacher, and maker, Kirsty's work is driven by a commitment to understanding how people make meaning of their experiences and navigate the worlds they inhabit. Through intersectional research, inclusive teaching, and creative practice, they foster environments where diverse forms of knowledge are valued, complex ideas can be explored with care, and where critical, creative, and compassionate engagement is encouraged.