Whether you’re stitching together a work of fiction or non-fiction, digging through the archives, and undertaking research are inevitable parts of the process. But how does one find and access the archives you need? And how do you become a dutiful, efficient researcher? Hear how these research virtuosos go about archive fossicking. Learn tips on how to keep track and organise your research, and questions to ask yourself throughout your investigations.
Professional Development & National Writers' Conference
Research & Archive Use
Accessibility
Wheelchair, Service Animal, Quiet Room (Reception/Level 3 Library), Hearing Loop, Accessible toilets
Saturday 7 September, 2:15PM
The Wheeler Centre
Performance Space Level 2, 176 Lt Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000, VIC
Karen Wyld
Karen Wyld is an author of Martu descent living on the coast south of Adelaide. They’ve written novels, children’s non-fiction, short stories, narrative non-fiction, and poetry. And co-edited The Rocks Remain: Blak Poetry and Story. Karen is the recipient of the 2024 SA Literary Fellowship (First Nations).
David Gould
Dr David Gould worked as a teacher and counsellor in schools and universities in Australia, France, and Japan. He then became Manager of the Committee for Melbourne’s business leadership program. In 2020 he completed his PhD and in 2023 his book ‘Survivors and Thrivers. Male Homosexual Lives in Postwar Australia’ was published. His current research is on Australian Rules Football and homophobia. David is co-founder of Bare Elements Entertainment company. He also founded and is President of Carlton Pride, the official LBGTI+ supporter group of the Carlton Football Club. David has assisted a Rohingya refugee family for the past decade.
Hasib Hourani
Hasib Hourani is a Lebanese-Palestinian writer, editor, arts worker and educator living on unceded Wangal Country. His debut book, ‘rock flight’ will be released in September 2024.
Samah Sabawi
Dr Samah Sabawi a Palestinian Australian playwright, author and poet. She received Green Room Award for Best Writing for her critically acclaimed play THEM and was shortlisted for the Victorian Premiere Literary Awards and the Nick Enright Prize. Sabawi’s Tales of a City by the Sea was staged over 100 times around the world winning two Drama Victoria Awards for Best Production and Best Publication. Sabawi co-edited Double Exposure winner of the Patrick O’Neill Award and co-authored I remember my name, winner of the Palestine Book Award. Sabawi’s debut novel Cactus Pear for My Beloved will be published September 2024.
Deborah Lee-Talbot
Deborah Lee-Talbot is a professional historian. She is fascinated with places like archives and libraries. Her time in these historic places locates and illuminates stories about a wide range of women. After this research time Deborah seeks opportunities for community engagement, be it by creating presentations or digital content. In 2023 she completed research at the State Library of New South Wales as CH Currey Fellow. The project was ‘Archives of the Archivist: Phyllis Mander-Jones and the Keeping of Australian-Pacific records, 1896-1957’. She received a National Library of Australia Summer Scholarship in 2022 to analyse the Australian Joint Copying Project.
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