Moondani Balluk x Community, Identity, & Displacement Research Network collaborative is hosting an in-person seminar on Live from the bridge: Hip Hop practitioners in the 'Australian' education borderlands

Time and Day:

Thursday 8 Oct 2026 @ 12 pm (AEDT)

Moondani Balluk, Lizzie & Uncle Jack Charles G105 room

Footscray Park campus, Victoria University,

Seminar description: This seminar presents how the work of Hip Hop teaching artists (HHTAs) supports students through mobilising culturally responsive pedagogy within the ‘Australian’ education system. Hip Hop Based Education (HHBE) is increasingly recognised globally for supporting students in educational environments that otherwise do not meet their needs. Despite robust evidence supporting the student outcomes of this approach, especially regarding Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP), the role and experiences of practitioners undertaking this work remain underexplored. This gap is more pronounced for HHTA practitioners not formally employed by the education system, especially in our local context.

As researchers and practitioners, we will share critical reflections on how we came to this work and were motivated to elevate understandings of HHTAs’ contributions to the goals of HHBE and CRP and increase the visibility of their role in the education borderlands.

This gathering values conversation and lived experience as critical to knowledge-making and sharing in and around community and university settings.

Presented by:

Mary Carmen Quinsacara is completing her Master of Research at VU - Recognising independent arts collectives as educative agents for ​epistemic justice. She is a community arts practitioner and an artist with a background in hip-hop as an emcee and organiser.

Dr Alexander Crooke is an independent scholar, beat maker, DJ, electronic music producer, and instrument designer. Working through a multidisciplinary lens that incorporates Hip Hop studies, music therapy, psychology, social policy, critical theory and education, his research explores how access to culturally sustaining music participation can foster individual and community empowerment.

We have a stream-only online option for those unable to attend. Please note that stream quality depends on tech availability outside our control.