Paris Lyons is an interdisciplinary researcher working in neuroscience, psychology, and the arts. Paris' primary research focuses on the role of adverse experiences in childhood on neural development and adult mental health. Paris is passionate about the intersection between art and science, and the role of creativity in mental well-being and resilience. Paris is also passionate about developing networks that facilitate interdisciplinary practice and open science.
Julia Prendergast
is a writer of short and long-form fiction. She lives and works in Melbourne, Australia, on unceded Wurundjeri land. Julia’s novel, The Earth Does Not Get Fat, was published in 2018 and longlisted for the Indie Book Awards for debut fiction. Her short story collection, Bloodrust and other stories, was published in 2022. Julia’s short stories have been recognised and published: Lightship Anthology International Short Story Competition (UK), Ink Tears International Short Story Competition (UK), Glimmer Train International Short Story Competition (US), Séan Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition (IE), TEXT, Elizabeth Jolley Prize, Josephine Ulrick Prize (AU). Julia’s short story collection is forthcoming (October 2022).
Julia is Chair of the Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP), the peak academic body representing the discipline of Creative Writing in Australasia. She is Senior Lecturer and Discipline Coordinator at Swinburne University. Julia is a practice-led researcher—an enthusiastic supporter of transdisciplinary, open and collaborative research practices, with a particular interest in neuropsychoanalytic approaches to writing and creativity. Her research has appeared in various publications including New Writing (UK), TEXT(AU), Testimony Witness Authority: The Politics and Poetics of Experience (UK).
Julia Prendergast
is a writer of short and long-form fiction. She lives and works in Melbourne, Australia, on unceded Wurundjeri land. Julia’s novel, The Earth Does Not Get Fat, was published in 2018 and longlisted for the Indie Book Awards for debut fiction. Her short story collection, Bloodrust and other stories, was published in 2022. Julia’s short stories have been recognised and published: Lightship Anthology International Short Story Competition (UK), Ink Tears International Short Story Competition (UK), Glimmer Train International Short Story Competition (US), Séan Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition (IE), TEXT, Elizabeth Jolley Prize, Josephine Ulrick Prize (AU). Julia’s short story collection is forthcoming (October 2022).
Julia is Chair of the Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP), the peak academic body representing the discipline of Creative Writing in Australasia. She is Senior Lecturer and Discipline Coordinator at Swinburne University. Julia is a practice-led researcher—an enthusiastic supporter of transdisciplinary, open and collaborative research practices, with a particular interest in neuropsychoanalytic approaches to writing and creativity. Her research has appeared in various publications including New Writing (UK), TEXT(AU), Testimony Witness Authority: The Politics and Poetics of Experience (UK).
Fanny Suhendra is a design researcher and educator in Indonesia and Australia. Her primary research focus is the role and application of graphic design as a behavioural change agent in health, social and political campaigns. Fanny is also passionate about the intersection of visual art, psychology and culture, especially on decolonising graphic design and the relationship between design, community, technology and culture.
Ben Slade is an interdisciplinary researcher, working across neuroscience, music, data science, and psychology research areas to better understand dementia and human behaviour. Ben is particularly interested in how non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as music therapy, can target and strengthen neural networks to protect the brain from cognitive decline and dementia.
Tom Johnstone is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Director of Neuroimaging at Swinburne University. Tom grew up in Perth before traveling to Switzerland to ski, learn about French culture and language (poorly), and to study the science of emotion. He has since worked in neuroscience centres in the USA and the UK before arriving in Melbourne in 2018. Tom’s research seeks to understand the role of our brains and bodies in making us emotional beings, and what that can teach us about regulating our emotions in times of challenge. He is particularly interested in how the science of emotion has parallels in the ways emotions are embedded in culture.
Ben Slade is an interdisciplinary researcher, working across neuroscience, music, data science, and psychology research areas to better understand dementia and human behaviour. Ben is particularly interested in how non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as music therapy, can target and strengthen neural networks to protect the brain from cognitive decline and dementia.
Tom Johnstone is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Director of Neuroimaging at Swinburne University. Tom grew up in Perth before traveling to Switzerland to ski, learn about French culture and language (poorly), and to study the science of emotion. He has since worked in neuroscience centres in the USA and the UK before arriving in Melbourne in 2018. Tom’s research seeks to understand the role of our brains and bodies in making us emotional beings, and what that can teach us about regulating our emotions in times of challenge. He is particularly interested in how the science of emotion has parallels in the ways emotions are embedded in culture.