Research Strengths of the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies

Ilsa Evans

"As a mature age student, I returned to part time study at Monash University in 1998 primarily because I wanted to gain a more advanced understanding of the issues surrounding domestic violence. This eventually led to a PhD on the long-term effects of domestic violence, which was completed in 2005. Since then I have worked on several projects, the main one being a report (Battlescars: the longterm effects of prior domestic violence), which is based on the findings of my doctoral research. As a balance to the more rigorous, and often emotionally confronting, academic studies, I have also written a number of fictional novels over the past few years. Four of these have been published by Pan Macmillan and two are due out soon."

The School of English, Communications and Performance Studies (ECPS) brings together some of the core humanities disciplines taught at Monash including cultural studies, communications, drama and theatre studies, English, film and television studies, literary studies, and visual culture.

The School hosts a number of centres including:

• Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
• Centre for Drama and Theatre Studies
• Centre for Postcolonial Writing
• Centre for the Book

English, Communications and Performance Studies staff are recipients of many prestigious government-funded research projects including:

Australian Film Theory and Criticism

This research project is tracing personalities and institutions that have shaped Australian film theory and criticisms over the last 30 years.

The Dissemination and Control of Clandestine Writing in England 1695–1774

This project will enhance Australia’s profile in bibliography and eighteenth century literary studies and contribute to the contemporary philosophical, religious and ethical debate concerning the distribution of contentious material.

Persuasive Force: The Role of Aesthetic Experience in Moral Persuasion

This project aims to make a significant contribution to the pressing contemporary topic of moral motivation. Because of its innovative approach to the problem of moral motivation this proposal will have an international impact on debates over moral conduct and raise the international profile of Australia in this field.

More information about the research focus and strengths in the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies.