Creative Ecologies Research Cluster at UniSC

The Creative Ecologies Research Cluster (CERC) is positioned within Southeast Queensland's three UNESCO biosphere reserves. The cluster explores intersections between creative practice, emerging technologies, and community wellbeing through place-based research with local and global impact. CERC develops new approaches to creative practice research that address complex societal challenges while adopting sustainable, culturally sensitive methodologies that respect Indigenous protocols, guided by a First Nations Advisory Group. CERC facilitates partnerships with industry and community with a research agenda that is underpinned by reciprocity, innovation, connection to place, inclusive design and planetary health and wellbeing. CERC members are award-winning and internationally renowned creative practitioners and researchers who are experts in photography, videography, sound, interactive media, curation and creative writing. The cluster develops and leads a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary research including current projects in ecoacoustics, healthy ageing, XR and ecological engagement. CERC supports research collaborations across health and environmental sciences, integrating creative research methodologies across research design, fieldwork and outcomes that enable industry partners to share research with local communities and international audiences in diverse ways. This includes award-winning non-traditional research outputs such as exhibitions featuring aerial and underwater creative productions, VR, performances, audio-visual works and touring installations. Based in Queensland's first MIT FabLab at UniSC and operating with a hub at the K'gari Research Station, CERC serves as an incubator for creative research, attracting visiting researchers from around the world and a cohort of postgraduate students who benefit from immersive fieldwork and inspiring collaborations in an incredible diversity of local ecosystems across Southeast Queensland.