Research in Action Symposia
The MADA Research in Action Symposia is a dynamic program of events that brings together keynote speakers, presentations, panel discussions, work-in-progress critiques, and the launch of the Transforming Cities Hub.
This exciting initiative showcases MADA researchers' distinct capacity for interdisciplinary research translation and impact. It will also build cross-disciplinary synergies between our PhD and Master's cohorts and MADA's research communities of practice.
This is a great opportunity to connect with MADA researchers and explore new opportunities for projects that address societal challenges.
You’re welcome to join both days or one of our highlight events.
Wednesday 3 June | |||
| 9.30am – 10am | Arrival and registration | Building G, Concourse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10am – 10.30am | Welcome to Country | G1.04 | |
| 10.30am – 12.30 pm | PhD Mini-Milestone Presentations | A series of smart and fast 10-minute presentations featuring research from PhD candidates across Fine Art, Design and Architecture, addressing themes of Care in Creative Practice. | G1.04 |
| 12.30pm – 1.30pm | Lunch | G Concourse | |
| 1.30pm – 3pm | Common Ground: Work-in-Progress Critiques | HDR Candidates share Work-in-Progress to find common ground across the themes: Climate Aware Practices Socially Engaged Spatial Practices Technopolitical Creative Practices Queer Creative Practices | G2.28 G2.29 G2.34 D1.05 |
| 3pm – 3.15pm | Break | G Concourse | |
| 3.30pm – 5pm | Common Ground: Work-in-Progress Critiques | HDR Candidates share Work-in-Progress to find common ground across the themes: Climate Aware Practices Creative Practices of the Majority World and its Diasporas Care and Creative Practices Intercultural Practices | G2.28 G2.29 G2.34 G2.35 |
| 5pm – 5.30pm | Drinks and Networking | G Concourse | |
| 5.30pm – 6.30pm | PhD Alumni Roundtable | Join MADA Alumni Iliana Ginnis, Neuro-inclusive Design Consultant, Samantha Donnelly, Academic at UTS and Trent Walter, Founder of Negative Press and Academic at LaTrobe University, for an insightful discussion about how their careers have leveraged care in creative practice post-PhD | G1.04 |
| 6.30pm – 7.30pm | Drinks and Networking | G Concourse | |
Thursday 4 June | |||
| 10am – 11.15am | Welcome and Keynote | Creative Practice-Led Research In Action Kieran Wong, Director of The Fulcrum Agency and Adjunct Professor at Monash University, will share insights into the entrepreneurial dimensions of creative practice, diverse funding pathways, and the development of interdisciplinary collaborations over time. | G1.04 |
| 11.15am – 11.45am | Morning tea | G Concourse | |
| 11.45am – 12pm | Research Strategy Launch | Associate Dean Research, Professor Niki Kalms | G1.04 |
| 12pm –1.15pm | Creative Practice Led Research Translation and Impact | Join MADA researchers Nyein Aung, Nikhila Madabhushi and Tara McDowell for a panel discussion exploring how creative and critical research is translated into impactful, practice-led outcomes. Aligned with MADA’s commitment to Impact 2030, the conversation will examine how practice-based research and design-led innovation can address complex real-world challenges—extending creative work beyond academia into cultural, social, spatial and civic contexts. Panellists will reflect on how research translation operates across disciplines and sectors, shaping professional practice and engaging diverse communities. | G1.04 |
| 1.15pm – 2.15pm | Lunch | G Concourse | |
| 2.15pm – 3.30pm | Growing Creative Practice-Led Researchers | Join MADA researchers Rowan Page, Frances Barrett and Duncan Maxwell as they share insights into leveraging funding to scale research outputs, build dynamic teams, and expand collaborative impact. Framed by MADA’s commitment to research excellence through partnership, this session explores how multi-partner and international collaborations can strengthen creative research, align disciplinary and transdisciplinary expertise, and respond to urgent social, cultural and spatial challenges. Panellists will discuss strategies for transforming funding into sustained research capability—growing partnerships, and advancing high-quality, impactful outcomes in real-world contexts. | G1.04 |
| 3.30pm – 4.30pm | Canapes and drinks | G Concourse | |
| 4.30pm – 6pm | Transforming Cities Hub Launch | Join us to launch MADA’s Transforming Cities Hub, a new initiative tackling the urgent challenges of urban inequality, environmental degradation and climate change across the Indo-Pacific. Supported by a strategic consortium of academic, industry, and government partners, the Hub integrates research, practice, and pedagogy to develop scalable, context-responsive solutions. Through design and co-creation, we aim to advance practical outcomes in water-sensitive urban design, the circular economy, and settlement upgrading. This event features an expert-led panel on how community-based research and science can help build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban future. | G1.04 |
| 6pm – 7pm | Drinks and networking | G Concourse | |
Event Details
- Date:
- 3 June 2026 at 10:00 am – 4 June 2026 at 7:00 pm
- Venue:
- Caulfield campus
- Cost:
- Free, but please register
- Categories:
- Fine Art; Design; Architecture; Current Students; Future Students; Industry / Alumni; Research; Graduate Research; Gallery / Exhibition; Students: Undergraduate; Students: Graduate Coursework; Gallery: MADA Gallery
Description
The MADA Research in Action Symposia is a dynamic program of events that brings together keynote speakers, presentations, panel discussions, work-in-progress critiques, and the launch of the Transforming Cities Hub.
This exciting initiative showcases MADA researchers' distinct capacity for interdisciplinary research translation and impact. It will also build cross-disciplinary synergies between our PhD and Master's cohorts and MADA's research communities of practice.
This is a great opportunity to connect with MADA researchers and explore new opportunities for projects that address societal challenges.
You’re welcome to join both days or one of our highlight events.
Wednesday 3 June | |||
| 9.30am – 10am | Arrival and registration | Building G, Concourse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10am – 10.30am | Welcome to Country | G1.04 | |
| 10.30am – 12.30 pm | PhD Mini-Milestone Presentations | A series of smart and fast 10-minute presentations featuring research from PhD candidates across Fine Art, Design and Architecture, addressing themes of Care in Creative Practice. | G1.04 |
| 12.30pm – 1.30pm | Lunch | G Concourse | |
| 1.30pm – 3pm | Common Ground: Work-in-Progress Critiques | HDR Candidates share Work-in-Progress to find common ground across the themes: Climate Aware Practices Socially Engaged Spatial Practices Technopolitical Creative Practices Queer Creative Practices | G2.28 G2.29 G2.34 D1.05 |
| 3pm – 3.15pm | Break | G Concourse | |
| 3.30pm – 5pm | Common Ground: Work-in-Progress Critiques | HDR Candidates share Work-in-Progress to find common ground across the themes: Climate Aware Practices Creative Practices of the Majority World and its Diasporas Care and Creative Practices Intercultural Practices | G2.28 G2.29 G2.34 G2.35 |
| 5pm – 5.30pm | Drinks and Networking | G Concourse | |
| 5.30pm – 6.30pm | PhD Alumni Roundtable | Join MADA Alumni Iliana Ginnis, Neuro-inclusive Design Consultant, Samantha Donnelly, Academic at UTS and Trent Walter, Founder of Negative Press and Academic at LaTrobe University, for an insightful discussion about how their careers have leveraged care in creative practice post-PhD | G1.04 |
| 6.30pm – 7.30pm | Drinks and Networking | G Concourse | |
Thursday 4 June | |||
| 10am – 11.15am | Welcome and Keynote | Creative Practice-Led Research In Action Kieran Wong, Director of The Fulcrum Agency and Adjunct Professor at Monash University, will share insights into the entrepreneurial dimensions of creative practice, diverse funding pathways, and the development of interdisciplinary collaborations over time. | G1.04 |
| 11.15am – 11.45am | Morning tea | G Concourse | |
| 11.45am – 12pm | Research Strategy Launch | Associate Dean Research, Professor Niki Kalms | G1.04 |
| 12pm –1.15pm | Creative Practice Led Research Translation and Impact | Join MADA researchers Nyein Aung, Nikhila Madabhushi and Tara McDowell for a panel discussion exploring how creative and critical research is translated into impactful, practice-led outcomes. Aligned with MADA’s commitment to Impact 2030, the conversation will examine how practice-based research and design-led innovation can address complex real-world challenges—extending creative work beyond academia into cultural, social, spatial and civic contexts. Panellists will reflect on how research translation operates across disciplines and sectors, shaping professional practice and engaging diverse communities. | G1.04 |
| 1.15pm – 2.15pm | Lunch | G Concourse | |
| 2.15pm – 3.30pm | Growing Creative Practice-Led Researchers | Join MADA researchers Rowan Page, Frances Barrett and Duncan Maxwell as they share insights into leveraging funding to scale research outputs, build dynamic teams, and expand collaborative impact. Framed by MADA’s commitment to research excellence through partnership, this session explores how multi-partner and international collaborations can strengthen creative research, align disciplinary and transdisciplinary expertise, and respond to urgent social, cultural and spatial challenges. Panellists will discuss strategies for transforming funding into sustained research capability—growing partnerships, and advancing high-quality, impactful outcomes in real-world contexts. | G1.04 |
| 3.30pm – 4.30pm | Canapes and drinks | G Concourse | |
| 4.30pm – 6pm | Transforming Cities Hub Launch | Join us to launch MADA’s Transforming Cities Hub, a new initiative tackling the urgent challenges of urban inequality, environmental degradation and climate change across the Indo-Pacific. Supported by a strategic consortium of academic, industry, and government partners, the Hub integrates research, practice, and pedagogy to develop scalable, context-responsive solutions. Through design and co-creation, we aim to advance practical outcomes in water-sensitive urban design, the circular economy, and settlement upgrading. This event features an expert-led panel on how community-based research and science can help build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban future. | G1.04 |
| 6pm – 7pm | Drinks and networking | G Concourse | |