Dr Julia Prendergast

Biography

Julia lives in Melbourne, Australia, on unceded Wurundjeri land. She is Associate Professor and Discipline Leader (Creative Writing, Literature, and Publishing) at Swinburne University. Julia is President/Chair of the Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP), the peak academic body representing the discipline of Creative Writing in Australasia.

Julia’s novel, The Earth Does Not Get Fat (2018) was longlisted for the Indie Book Awards (debut fiction). Her short story collection, Bloodrust and Other Stories, was published in 2022. Julia’s short stories and prose poetry has been recognised and published: Lightship Anthology (UK), Glimmer Train (US), New Writing (UK), TEXT (AU), Séan Ó Faoláin Competition (IE). 

Julia is a practice-led researcher—an enthusiastic supporter of transdisciplinary, collaborative research practices, with a particular interest in neuro|psychoanalytic approaches to writing and creativity. Her traditional research has appeared in various publications including New Writing (UK) and TEXT (AU). Julia is leading a Creative Writing | Neuroimaging Exploratory Study: ‘Ideasthetic Imagining—Mapping the Brain’s Microstates using Magnetoencephalography (MEG)’, Swinburne University (Melbourne, Australia). The study investigates the activity in participants’ brains while undertaking a creative writing workshop. Participants write imaginatively from short and long-term memory, undertaking tasks focusing on processes of deep, sensory imagining. The research team uses Magnetoencephalography (MEG) neuroimaging technology to determine where and how the brain is processing information, at distinct stages of the workshop. The research identifies and fosters human intelligence for the benefit of humanity by providing fundamental insights into the neural basis of creative cognition. Preliminary data analysis for the Exploratory Study is supported by a (2023) MENSA grant. 

Julia supervises PhD students writing short and long-form fiction, creative non-fiction and prose poetry, as well as hybrid forms of writing. She has a particular interest in realist modes of storytelling, as well as fractured and experimental narrative forms. She is an experienced workshop facilitator, having led workshops locally and internationally, at festivals and in partnership with industry. Julia co-leads the development of the art aspect of the Science Art Network (ScAN): an organisation aimed at facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscience and the arts. 

Recent Awards:

• 2023 Dean’s award for Teaching and Research: noting stand out work pursuing Work-Integrated-Learning (WIL) opportunities in the writing discipline, including industry partnerships, innovative pedagogy and assessment that supports both industry and publishing opportunities. 
• 2022 Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award (Highly commended): for the ‘development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field’. Teaching citation entitled: For facilitating authentic, experiential learning: enriching student experiences and outcomes through practice-led, industry engaged, student-focused approaches to Professional and Creative Writing curricula.
• 2021 Teaching Excellence Award: School of Social Sciences, Film, Media and Communication: for the ‘development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field’. Teaching citation entitled: For facilitating authentic, experiential learning: enriching student experiences and outcomes through practice-led, industry engaged, student-focused approaches to Professional and Creative Writing curricula.
• 2020 Vice Chancellor's Award for Inclusion and Diversity: team award for the 'Preferred Student Name Project', supporting transgender and gender diverse students in the use of their preferred name across Swinburne systems. 
• 2019 Vice Chancellor's Award for Inclusion and Diversity: staff founding member of 'Gender Agenda': university-wide recognised initiative for gender diverse students https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pII7RHkRTRY&list=PLdVESrjTNUXtJIWZ6Xu9VkZgp5T7lbjkE&index=6
• 2019 Dean's award for most effective Community or Industry Engagement: facilitating experiential learning opportunities for students in partnership with various literary industry organisations.

Professional Affiliations:

• Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP) – President|Chair of the Executive Committee of Management
• Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP) – Executive Committee Portfolio Lead: Prizes and Partnerships
• Society for the Study of the International Short Story Conference in English – Executive Committee Board Member