Rachel is interested in understanding if this inherently informal and reactive process can be preserved or better facilitated through urban cultural policy and management, and its implications on the spatial and cultural democratisation of our cities.
Fascinated by liminal, ‘ordinary’, transient, reactive and occasionally deviant spaces and occurrences, Rachel aims to better understand their underrepresented contribution to our urban experience.
Through ethnography and arts practice-based research methods, her research more broadly situates the various reactive, power tensions that exist in cities and the unique urban cultural heritage that it spurs.
Rachel has a Masters in Arts and Cultural Management and B.Arts (Anthropology and Sociology) from the University of Melbourne, and is currently a tutor in Urban Planning Theory.
Research interests: cultural anthropology; urban design and policy; cultural heritage; cultural geography; GIS data and spatial analysis; place-making, socially-engaged and public art; child-friendly cities; urban identity; rights to the city; DIY urbanism; feminist urban theory
Supervisors
Dr Ian McShane
Associated Professor Wendy Steele
Dr Marnie Badham
