During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff discuss their connection to places. Rachael interviews Jacki Kauli and Verena Thomas about their perspectives on international development and their work in Paupau New Guinea. Rachael and Jeff conclude with ideas about how to be more responsive creative practitioners.
In this episode you’ll learn:
About the connections between international development and creative social practice;
How cultural and creative practitioners can be most responsive to communities; and
About ideas to challenge the ways in which communities are being represented, how they view themselves, and present their knowledge.
Please download the transcript here.
ABOUT JACKI KAULI
A Senior Researcher in the Creative Industries Faculty at Queensland University of Technology, and visiting scholar at the University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea. She works across a number of research and development projects which support the use of indigenous and arts-based research approaches. Jackie’s work focuses on harnessing drama techniques, creative practice and communication strategies to contribute to development practice and theory. In particular, one of her areas of expertise is in process drama and how drama techniques can be applied in community development and research. She holds a PhD in Creative Industries from Queensland University of Technology and has over 15 years experience working in international development on issues around health, education and gender.
ABOUT VERENA THOMAS
An Associate Professor at the Creative Industries Faculty at Queensland University of Technology. With a background in documentary filmmaking, Verena’s work focuses on creative research approaches and communication for social change in international development contexts. Verena founded the Centre for Social and Creative Media (CSCM) at the University of Goroka in 2021 where she set up a Masters Program in Communication and Social Change. The CSCM is a research centre that focuses on the integration of indigenous knowledge systems in development programs through creative processes. Verena has led numerous award-winning research and production projects with donors, government and NGO partners in the areas of health communication, gender-based violence and education. She is an experienced facilitator in participatory filmmaking, digital storytelling, and more broadly creative research methods. She works with institutions and organisations who want to strategically integrate creative approaches into social change programs.
This episode of Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation was powered by Creative Generation. It was produced and edited by Daniel Stanley. Artwork by Bridget Woodbury. Music by Distant Cousins.