Organising Team

Dr Whitney Monaghan, Festival Director

Dr Whitney Monaghan is a Lecturer in Film and Screen Studies at Monash University. As a researcher, she is interested in intersections of screen cultures and social justice. She has published widely on the representation of gender and sexuality in popular media. She is the author of Queer Girls, Temporality and Screen Media: Not Just a Phase (Palgrave, 2016) and co-author of Queer Theory Now: From Foundations to Futures (Bloomsbury, 2019). Dr Monaghan is the co-leader of Monash's Gender and Media Lab and Director of the Creative Directions festival.

LinkedIn: Whitney Monaghan X: @JatneyWhitmo

Emily Burkhardt, Research Officer

Emily Burkhardt is a second year PhD candidate in the School of Media, Film and Journalism at Monash University. Her current doctoral research focuses on Disney adults and the relationships between their fan experiences throughout their life history and the corporate strategies of the Walt Disney Company. In 2021, she co-authored a paper on anti-fan practices and internal fandom tensions within the Riverdale fandom on Tumblr which was based on her 2019 Honours thesis.

Ngan Dong (Mia), Student (Masters of Communication and Media Studies)

Hello! I’m Mia, currently wrapping up my final semester in the Master of Communications and Media Studies program at Monash University. I enjoy taking photos, watching movies, and exploring Melbourne’s cafes and bakeries. I am excited to be part of Creative Direction 2024, I’m looking forward to creating memorable experiences for all attendees!

LinkedIn: Ngan (Mia) Dong Facebook: Ngan Dong

Shahriar Iftekher Ferdous, Student (Masters of Communication and Media Studies)

Shahriar is a communications specialist with expertise in building multi-channel communication between organizations and their public, with a proven track record of delivering high-level performance to both employers and communities, augmented by a diverse portfolio of extracurricular engagements. Currently, he is channeling this dedication towards achieving his aspiration of becoming an academic.

LinkedIn: Shahriar Iftekher Ferdous Instagram: @iamtheonewho_laughs

Priyanka Gore, Student (Masters of Communication and Media Studies)

Priyanka is a Master of Communication and Media Studies student with a background in literature. She writes creative fiction, including screenplays and plays, and wants to devote her time to creating intersectional stories. She has an interest in filmmaking, and watches movies and knits in her spare time.

LinkedIn: Priyanka Gore

Riddhi Kamdar, Student (Masters of Strategic Communications Management)

Hey, there! If you're here, you've found someone who loves a good blend of strategy and creativity to make cool things happen. I'm always up for taking challenges and I am curious to go beyond the surface.

LinkedIn: Riddhi Kamdar

Robdina Ndombi, Student (Graduate Certificate of Strategic Communications Management)

I am a third culture kid who completed a Bachelor in Arts in 2022 with a focus on Media Communications and French studies. I love food, dance and advocating for fairness and equality around the world.

Mike Ariel Plaza, Student (Masters of Cultural and Creative Industries)

Mike is a government communications professional and educator from the Philippines, currently pursuing a master's degree to develop a project for the creative industry stakeholders in the Caraga Region. By immersing themself in Melbourne's rich creative spaces, Mike seeks inspiration to help local artists and creatives in Caraga recognise the cultural and economic value of their talents. Most of the time, you can find Mike exploring museums and exhibits, writing film reviews, or wandering through creative spaces, always on the lookout for new sources of inspiration.

LinkedIn: Mike Ariel Plaza Instagram: @mikekuwentoako TikTok: @mikekuwentoako

Vijayalakshmi S (Viji), Student (Masters of Strategic Communications Management)

Hailing from the vibrant city of Mumbai, India, I'm Viji, a master's student eager to explore all that Australia has to offer. With a passion for dance and a love for meeting new people, I thrive on adventure and am excited to immerse myself in the university community.  Get ready for some friendly competition on the dance floor – or perhaps you'll join me on my next escapade!

LinkedIn: Vijayalakshmi Sundararaju

Caroline Yiqian Wang, PhD Student (Film & Screen Studies)

Caroline Yiqian Wang is a PhD candidate at the School of Film, Media and Journalism. Before joining Monash, she gained a BA in film and media studies and a MA in arts and cultural management. Her current project focuses on female representations in post-2010s Asian diasporic cinema. Her research interests include diasporic cinema (especially Asian immigrant films in North America), East Asian cinemas, and their intersection with gender studies.