Webinar Series

Musical value in a loneliness epidemic: Queer perspectives
Frederic Kiernan
This presentation discusses the progress of an ongoing research project which examines how music mediates social connection among LGBTQIA+ people at queer "scene" events in Victoria, Australia, in order to enrich understandings of how music may help ameliorate loneliness among this group. Kiernan considers the theoretical impetus for the research, including the sometimes problematic intersections between queer theory and current research on loneliness and social connection.
Dr Frederic Kiernan is a Melbourne Postdoctoral Fellow at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the University of Melbourne.

An integrative review of an intercultural music program
Trisnasari Fraser
The social and cultural functions of music have been considered within a range of disciplines, with some researchers exploring how music practice can be used to promote intercultural dialogue and cooperation. Drawing from a range of disciplines, theoretical standpoints and research methods an integrative literature was conducted to explore programs for adults using music to facilitate intercultural understanding and connection.
Dr Trisnasari Fraser is the convenor of the Creativity and Wellbeing Research Initiative.

Uncovering the evidence base for the intercultural music engagement framework
Jane Davidson
Jane Davidson's team has developed the Intercultural Music Engagement (ICME) framework building on intercultural psychology theory, as well as critical scholars in the music and health space. The work sought to identify the factors that contribute to successful music engagements that have been noted as particularly valuable in fostering intercultural understanding and allowing opportunity to navigate difference.
Prof Jane W. Davidson, Fellow, Australian Academy for the Humanities, undertakes research in performance, musical development, intercultural engagement, and music for wellbeing outcomes.

Arts and cultural activity are crucial for effective disaster management
Claire Hooker
This presentation provides an overview of results to date from a narrative review of research on arts and culture in disaster management. We identified 10 themes in a systematic analysis of current peer reviewed published studies: ‘Experience catching’, ‘Sense making’, ‘Psychological recovery’, ‘Social capital’, ‘Equity and inclusion’, ‘Children’, ‘Education’, ‘Place making’, ‘Economic benefit’, and ‘Critical perspectives’.
Dr Claire Hooker is Associate Professor in Health and Medical Humanities at Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, and President of the Arts Health Network NSW/ACT.

What do disaster-affected communities value about engaging in the arts for recovery?
Anna Kennedy-Borissow
Anna will present two case studies of ‘creative recovery’ projects following 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, and share preliminary findings from focus groups with community members on what they valued about participating in performing and visual arts projects as part of their psychosocial recovery.
Anna Kennedy-Borissow is a PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Teaching Fellow in the Arts and Cultural Management program at the University of Melbourne.

Key debates in dance science
Emma Redding and Derrick Brown-Appenzeller
This webinar describes the development of Dance Science, a relatively new field of research and study. Key areas of research to have emerged in Dance Science will be highlighted as well as the challenges for the field moving forward. It includes insights into the presenters’ own research and practical experiences.
Professor Emma Redding is Director of the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.
Dr Derrick Browne-Appenzeller is Senior Lecturer in Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts.