Murdoch University School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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Murdoch University School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Solve real-world problems with a humanities, arts and social sciences degree.

05/06/2026

Professor James “Jim” Warren, Emeritus Professor at Murdoch University and Senior Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University, recently delivered a public lecture at Xiamen University as part of the Special Lecture Series commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Research Institute for Southeast Asian Studies.

Held on 27 May, Professor Warren’s lecture, “‘Passing Over’: The back story behind over five decades of teaching and historical research about Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean World”, reflected on a remarkable scholarly career dedicated to the histories, peoples and cultures of Southeast Asia and the wider Indian Ocean World.

Professor Warren’s visit to Xiamen City, which was historically known as Amoy, took place from 26–28 May. His invitation to speak as part of this significant anniversary series recognises his outstanding international contribution to Southeast Asian history and his enduring role in shaping cross-cultural scholarly exchange.

Congratulations Professor Warren on this prestigious invitation and decades of influential scholarship.

04/06/2026

Master of Community Development students Alejandra Villaroel Monroy and Janeth Perez Hernandez will be working in the remote Aboriginal community of Punmu in the Shire of East Pilbara for four weeks over the winter break. The students successfully applied to work in this unique setting following an invitation from the Punmu Community Coordinator.

This opportunity has eventuated from a long-standing relationship with the Shire of East Pilbara and the mutual desire for Murdoch Community Development students to use their knowledge, contribute their skills and gain first-hand experience and understanding of life in some of Australia's most remote Aboriginal communities. Edith Costello from Punmu has now made this an annual offering for Community Development students.

Negotiations are ongoing to provide the same opportunity for students in other Aboriginal communities in the Shire of East Pilbara.

The Community Development team hopes to expand this programme into other areas of the state over the coming years.

03/06/2026

We are delighted to share that one of Dr Barbara Ribeiro, PhD’s Shark Flow paintings will be exhibited at the annual Rotary Art Show and Sale at Westfield Booragoon from 8–14 June 2026.

A Sustainable Development academic in Murdoch University’s School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Dr Ribeiro’s teaching and research explore the complex relationships between people, communities and the environment. Her work encourages students and the wider public to think critically about sustainability challenges and the actions needed to create more environmentally responsible futures.

Through her Shark Flow series, Dr Ribeiro extends this work beyond the classroom and into the public sphere, using art as a moving form of environmental communication. The paintings capture the beauty and movement of sharks while raising awareness of the alarming decline in shark populations worldwide.

The featured work depicts a Giant Guitarfish, a group of species now classified as critically endangered due to overfishing for their high-value fins and meat. As the Shark Flow project reminds us, sharks may be perceived as frightening, but they are also beautiful and vital to maintaining the balance of life in our oceans.

The exhibition also provides an opportunity for visitors to support both conservation and community initiatives. When a Shark Flow painting is purchased, 25% is donated to the Australian Marine Conservation Society to support marine conservation and shark protection, while a further 25% is donated to Rotary to support humanitarian initiatives, including peacebuilding and community programs.

If you’re visiting Westfield Booragoon between 8 and 14 June, be sure to stop by and explore this inspiring exhibition, which demonstrates how research, teaching, creativity and community engagement can work together to inspire positive environmental change.

28/05/2026

Congratulations to our talented students in EGL231 Poetry as Performance: Sonnet to Slam, who presented a sensational showcase at the Murdoch Guild Tavern on Tuesday evening.

Creating and performing original poems responding to the theme Love and Repair, students brought an extraordinary range of creative voices and performance styles to the stage. The works ranged from mythological reimaginings to intimate confessional pieces, threaded together with humour, vulnerability, insight and heart.

It was a wonderful celebration of poetry as both performance and connection, with Unit Coordinator Dr Alys Daroy joined by colleagues from the English & Creative Writing team, alongside the poets’ family and friends, for a truly special evening.

Congratulations again to all our wonderful students on such courageous and compelling work 👏🏽❤️

27/05/2026

From thought-provoking conversations to creative discoveries and unexpected moments of inspiration, Murdoch University Open Day was a vibrant celebration of everything the humanities, arts and social sciences have to offer.

We welcomed future students, families, alumni and community members and HASS was proud to showcase the extraordinary breadth, creativity and impact of our disciplines.

Across the day, visitors explored experiences spanning Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Asian Studies and Languages, English and Creative Writing, Sustainable Development, History, Community Development, Theatre and Creative Production, Human Rights and more. From interactive workshops to cultural demonstrations, conversations with researchers and hands-on creative activities, the campus was alive with curiosity and connection.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the academic and professional staff, current students, volunteers, alumni and community partners whose generosity, expertise and enthusiasm made the day such a success. Open Day is never simply about showcasing degrees— it is about creating spaces where people can imagine futures. We are so proud to have been part of a day in which prospective students discover passions and encounter new ways of understanding the world and one another.

At a time when the humanities, arts and social sciences are more important than ever (an age of declining critical thinking due to AI and misinformation) it was inspiring to see so many meaningful conversations taking place about culture, storytelling, creativity, justice, communication, sustainability and social change. These disciplines help us make sense of the complexities of contemporary life and shape more thoughtful, compassionate and imaginative futures.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We loved sharing the day with you.

Photographs thanks to Dr Ali Hayes.

25/05/2026

OPEN DAY SPOTLIGHT: Japanese at HASS

Saturday’s Open Day offered prospective students the chance to experience the vibrant and hands-on learning opportunities available across the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Murdoch University, including a wonderful showcase from our Japanese program.

Visitors were invited to immerse themselves in Japanese culture through interactive activities including origami, yukata dressing, tea ceremony and calligraphy, creating a rich and memorable experience for future students and their families.

We were also delighted to welcome exchange students from our partner universities in Japan, who shared their cultural knowledge and experiences with visitors throughout the day.

A huge thank you to all staff, including Dr Gayathri Haththotuwa Gamage, Dr Ruri Ueda and volunteers who helped make the Japanese showcase such a success!

20/05/2026

You are warmly invited to a night of rhymes, rhythm and raps at our EGL231 Poetry as Performance showcase!

Join us at the Murdoch Guild Tavern next Tuesday 26 May from 6:45pm/7pm start as our talented students perform original poetry on the theme “Love and Repair”.

Tickets are free but seating is limited due to space, so we recommend booking soon.

https://events.humanitix.com/love-and-repair

Hope to see you there! 🩷

15/05/2026

Professor James Warren (Emeritus Professor, HASS; Senior Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University) has received an invitation to deliver a public lecture at the Special Lecture Series Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Research Institute for Southeast Asian Studies, Xiamen University.

Over the past seven decades, the Institute has developed into an important centre for scholarly exchange and talent cultivation in Southeast Asian Studies in China.

On 27 May, in recognition of Professor Warren’s outstanding scholarship and highly respected expertise, he will deliver his lecture at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and share his insights with its faculty members and students as part of the anniversary lecture series.

Congratulations Professor Warren on this prestigious and important invitation reflecting his immense contribution to the field.

12/05/2026

Get ready for Wicked Wednesday tomorrow at the Murdoch Guild Tavern!

FREE BBQ, drink specials, great vibes and a chance to chill during the busy time of semester 💞

Brought to you by HASS, the Murdoch University HASS Society and the Murdoch Guild Tavern.

11/05/2026

We warmly invites colleagues, students and members of the community to attend the final Philosophy Research Seminar for Semester 1.

This week’s seminar features Ben Winokur (Macau) presenting “Assurance, Avowal, and Testimonial Justification”. The paper explores a key tension in contemporary epistemology: whether our justification for believing testimony derives from a speaker’s assurance, or whether certain utterances particularly avowals of mental states justify belief through the expression of those states themselves. Examining competing responses to this tension, the seminar considers how assurance, expression and testimonial justification intersect in our understanding of belief, knowledge and communication.

Date: Wednesday 13 May
Place: Education and Humanities Building (450.4.078) Murdoch University

Drinks and informal discussions will follow at the Murdoch Guild Tavern.

As always, we welcome you to share details throughout your networks and look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be an engaging conclusion to this semester’s Philosophy Research Seminar series!

With thanks to Dr Tim Flanagan and Associate Professor Anne Schwenkenbecher for organising this illuminating series.

Address

90 South Street Murdoch
Perth, WA
6150

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+61893606000

Website

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/study-areas/humanities-arts-and-social-sciences?campaign=humanities%2C+arts+and

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