2006-2013
Down the Rabbit Hole…

From 2006-2013 I was the program coordinator of the AGDA award winning community-engaged capstone creative arts and design studio, officially known as the Rabbit Hole in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University. For 7 years I developed and led a dynamic and world-class learning environment that motivates, challenges and inspires students to learn, underpinned by a strong framework of socially responsible and ethical practice that fosters creativity through collaboration (Edwards-Vandenhoek & Sandbach, 2014).

The Rabbit Hole is a wonderful example of how a rich embedded teaching and learning experience can create an incredibly powerful educational experience for undergraduate students (R. Goik, Head of Program Design, 2008–12).

Operating from a purpose built studio space, what distinguishes the Rabbit Hole is that students are engaged in meaningful and authentic real-world contexts, which bridge the gap between academic, community and industry, encouraging them to become responsible creative practitioners and critical thinkers in their future communities of practice. The emphasis is on studio practice that is reflexive, student-led and collaborative, providing opportunities for students to work on real life media, design and film projects, events, campaigns, festivals and social challenges in partnership with community bodies, non-profit organisations, industry partners and design institutions, with an emphasis on advocacy, activism and professional engagement. Partners and supporters include TVS Community Television, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). Down the Rabbit Hole, students are also engaged in iterative portfolio and personal brand development that involves goal setting, developing a vision and value statement and small business management practices.

In 2008, the studio’s self branding went on to win a prestigious AGDA student design award. In 2011, I led a teaching team who were recipients of the highly prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Since this time, the studio has gone on to win 8 AGDA student awards. In 2013, over 100 students came through the Rabbit Hole’s doors to work on a rich and diverse range of industry projects, community challenges, live briefs, cross-institutional collaborations, social advocacy projects, exhibitions and events. Today, the Rabbit Hole program is considered a cornerstone of WSU’s Bachelor of Visual Communication.
©️ Rabbit Hole graduates and WSU Communication Arts, 2022.