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Assoc Prof Jennifer Barrett

Assoc Prof Jennifer Barrett

PhD (UTS), MArtTh Hons 1 (UNSW), BA (SCAE)
Phone: +61 2 9351 6665
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Jennifer Barrett was appointed to the University of Sydney in 2000. Her recent administrative positions at the University of Sydney include Pro Dean (2010) Associate Dean Postgraduate Coursework (2007-2009) and Deputy Chair of Postgraduate Matters (2008-2009) and Director of Museum Studies since 2001, which also has partnership with Hong Kong University. She has also held positions in art history and cultural studies at the School of Cultural Histories and Futures at the University of Western Sydney. Her recent work includes Museums and the Public Sphere (Wiley Blackwell 2011, and pb, 2012); a co-authored monograph (with Jacqueline Millner) Australian Artists and Museums (forthcoming with Ashgate 2012) and ‘Museums Human Rights and Universalism’ in eds., A. Witcomb and K. Message Museum theory: an expanded field (Wiley- Blackwell, 2012). Her research has been supported by the Australia International Cultural Council (2008) and the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council for the Arts (2005 and 2009). Her current research explores Museums, human rights, universalism and the international public sphere.

Research Interests

Research Areas

  • Museums and the international public sphere
  • Museum history and politics
  • Cultural public spheres
  • Public space, art and culture

Current Projects:

  • Australian Artists and Museums (with Jacqueline Millner, Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney. Supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts Board (New Work Program 2005 and Presentation and Promotion Program 2009)
  • Museums, human rights, universalism and democracy: International Council of Museums, Federation of Human Rights Museums and the Universal Museums.
  • Hong Kong, cultural policy and ‘the new museum’
  • Hong Kong, cultural policy and ‘the new museum’

Publications

Books

  • Barrett, J., Museums and the Public Sphere, (Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Oxford, 2010).
  • Barrett, J., and Millner, J., Australian Artists and Museums, (in preparation for Power Publications)

Edited book

  • Barrett, J., and Caroline Butler-Bowdon, (eds) Debating the City: An Anthology, Historic Houses Trust, Sydney, 2001

Chapters in books

  • Barrett, J., ‘Museums, universalism and human rights’ in A. Witcomb and K. Message (eds) Museum Theory: An Expanded Field, Wiley-Blackwell (in preparation).
  • Barrett, J., ‘Protecting the Past, safeguarding the future: Museum studies, the profession and museum practice in Australia’, in D. Griffin, L. Paroissien and M. Anderson (eds) Museums in Australia: 1975-2007, National Museum of Australia, Canberra, (forthcoming)
  • Barrett, J and P. McManus, ‘Civilising Nature: Museums and the Environment’, in G. Birch (ed), Water Wind Art Debate: Researching Environmental Concerns, University of Sydney Press, 2007, pp. 319-344.
  • Barrett, J., ‘Making Space for the Public’, in J. Barrett and C. Butler-Bowdon, (eds) Debating the City, Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, Sydney, 2001.
  • Barrett, J., ‘Community, public, audience: complex and critical transactions’, Ghosts in the Machine: Women and Cultural Policy in Canada and Australia, eds. Alison Beale & Annette Van den Bosch, Garamond Press, Toronto, 1998, pp. 147-162

Articles

  • Martin, A., Barrett, J., Milne-Holme, J. Spalding, E. ‘Graduate Satisfaction with University and Perceived Employment Preparation’, Journal of Education and Work, vol 13, no. 2, 2000, pp.199-213.
  • Martin, A., Barrett, J., Milne-Holme, J. Spalding, E. ‘Stakeholders’ Beliefs about the Institution: To Agree or Not Agree’, Journal of Institutional Research in Australia, vol 6, no. 2, 1997, pp. 53-67.

Published papers:

  • Barrett, J (with J. Millner) ‘Australian Artists and the Museum’ Museums and Gallery Services Queensland, August 2009 (http://www.magsq.com.au/_dbase_upl/Barrett%20paper%20FINAL.pdf )
  • Barrett, J and J. Petersen, ‘The Museum, Democracy and Domesticity: Who’s in whose web?’ Museums Australia Conference 2007, Canberra, May, 2007 (http://www.museumsaustralia.org.au/)
  • Barrett, J., Kelly, L., and Robles, J., Uncover: Graduate Research in Museum Studies 2002, Conference proceedings, Australian Museum Audience Research Centre, 2003
  • Barrett, J., Kelly, L. and Robles, 2003 Uncover: Graduate Research in Museum Studies, 2005 Conference proceedings, Australian Museum Audience Research Centre.

Selected essay catalogues:

  • Barrett, J., ‘Lux and Lumen’ Helen Kennedy, Exhibition Catalogue, Australian Galleries, August, 2010.
  • Barrett, J., (with S. Carlin), Spare Room–Installations by Jayne Dyer, Sue Pedley and Susan Andrews at Elizabeth Bay House,
    Catalogue Essay, Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, Sydney, July-September 2007.
  • Barrett, J., ‘Noelene Lucas and Debra Porch’ Casula Powerhouse and Regional Arts Centre, 2001.
  • Barrett, J., ‘Ian Burn – the documentary wall’ University of Western Sydney Art Collection, Lewer Bequest and Penrith Regional Art Galley, 2000.

Selection of papers/presentations

  • Barrett, J., ‘Australian Artists and the Museum’ at Queensland University Art Museum, for Museums and Gallery Services Queensland, August 2009
  • Barrett, J., ‘Museums: A public affair?’, Articu8, Writing and Cultural Studies Seminar Program, University of Technology Sydney March 20, 2009
  • Barrett, J., ‘Educating a profession’ History of Museums in Australia: A Symposium, National Museum of Australia, December 2007
  • Barrett, J. and J. Petersen, ‘The Museum, Democracy and Domesticity: Who’s in whose web?’ Museums Australia Conference 2007, Canberra, May 2007
  • Barrett, J., Discussant for plenary session: Museums, memory and democracy: ‘National Sites’ Network, Session Convenor and Chair, Museums Australia Annual Conference, May 2007, Canberra
  • Barrett, J., and Millner, J., ‘Leap of Faith: Australian Artists and Museums’, Museums Australia Conference 2006, May 2006. Panel: Ann Ferran (artist) and Frank Howarth (Director, Australian Museum). (Refereed).
  • Barrett, J., ‘Situating the Public’, Museums and the Public Sphere, Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University in September, 2004
  • Barrett, J., ‘Differentiations: between public space and the public sphere’ Panel: ‘Opening the Door to New Histories: Perspectives on Public Buildings and Urban Spaces’ Society of Architectural Historians, 55th Annual Meeting, Richmond, Virginia (refereed) in 2002

Research Networks

  • 2010 International Society, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • 2007 Nation, Empire, Globe, Faculty of Arts
  • 2003-06 Indigenous Arts Network, Centre for Cultural Research, (ANU, Canberra)

Grants

  • 2011 Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Research Support Scheme
  • 2009 Visual Arts Board, Australia Council for the Arts
  • 2008 International Cultural Council, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • 2007 Writing Fellowship, School of Letters Art and Media, Faculty of Arts,
  • 2004/05 New Work Strategy Grant, Visual Arts Board, Australia Council for the Arts
  • 2003 University of Sydney SESQUI R&D Grant
  • 2002 University of Sydney New Staff Grant

Visiting Scholar

  • 2009 School of Geography (Cultural Geography), University of Edinburgh
  • 2000 Centre for Advanced Studies (Interdisciplinary Research Centre),
  • National University of Singapore
  • 1995 Centre for Women’s Research and Gender Relations and the Geography Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Current Supervising Postgraduates

Current research students:

Helena Robinson, ‘Spaces of Knowledge: negotiating epistemologies within converged collection environments’

Mary-Elizabeth Andrews, ‘German history in pictures and documents: reorientation and national perspectives at the Berlin Zeughaus’

Tim Ikin, ‘Animal collections in the Australian Museums’

Toner Stevenson, ‘Carte du Ciel: the awakening of a sleeping scientific beauty’

Kate Spinks, ‘Museum shops: A cultural study’

Ricky Lui, ‘Tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the traditional courtyards and Hutongs in Beijing’

Recent Completions:

David Frede, A Tale of Two Zoos, graduated May 2008

Jennifer Robles, House Museums and Nation, graduated May 2008

Anna Gardner, Repatriation and the Museum Idea, graduated 2007