Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Keith Russell is a communication and design philosopher, a poet, and a new media artist. Over the last quarter of a century he has contributed to learning and teaching and research and practice in the areas of Visual Communication, Industrial Design, Design and Technology and Communication Studies.
Currently he is working on a theory of the Glimpse especially as it relates to Fanservice in Japanese new media formats, Manga and Anime. This work is an extension of his PhD theory: Kenosis, Katharsis, Kairosis: A Theory of Literary Affects.
Along with publishing five collections of his poetry, he has received international and national prizes in recognition of the quality of his work. Currently he writes verse that he very successfully gets published as letters to the editor in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and the Newcastle Herald.
His new media art is available on line and he has exhibited some of this work at Unitech in New Zealand. He is editor of the e-journal, New Media Poetics.
He has been a major player in recent research developments in fields of design, He is the co-owner and co-founder of the PhD Design email group which over a decade has grown to include over 2000 members. His work in this area has included refereeing conferences and thesis work, key-note speaking, international degree reviewing (Unitech, NZ) and general international collaborations with key researchers.
Ethics has become a major feature of his recent research and administrative service. His theory of the Glimpse involves aspects of Internet research that are novel. His teaching has extended in to the areas of communication law and ethics and combined with his own research concerns this has lead to a number of initiatives, including opening up the national debate, in relation to humanities in the age of the Internet. To back these activities up, he has been a long-standing member of the University of Newcastle’s Human Research Ethics committee.
Current Research
Abstracts and Papers in process – 2013
"Moe and the Knowing Glimpse: Fanservice and Personal Seeing in Anime and Manga", 8th International Conference on the Arts in Society.
- Abstract accepted - paper submitted - paper under publication review.
“When I Pop the Top! The Sensibility of Things”, Sense and Sensibility - UNIDCOM/IADE 7th International Conference - Florianopolis, Brazil, 7-9 November, 2013.
- Abstract accepted - paper in preparation.
"Childish Transgressions in Doraemon: The Moral Voids of Nobita Nobi", Popcaanz,4th Annual International Conference, Brisbane, 24-26 June, 2013.
- Abstract accepted - paper presented - paper under publication review.
"Chocolate Bread, Scared Rice: Continental Ways of Looking at Things", Design Issues: A Journal of History, Theory and Criticism.
- Paper accepted 2013, - publication in process.
"Laws, technology and humanities research methods in the digital world". Australasian Ethics Network, 2013, Human Research Ethics: Emerging issues, controversies and innovating for change. Fremantle, 27-29 November.
- Abstract offered -
"Unboxing and the Ends of Design: A Psychology of Unpacking”. Design Principles and Practices, 7th International Conference, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan, 6-8 March, 2013.
- Abstract accepted, paper submitted, under review.
"Fanservice and the Glimpse in early Doraemon", SCMS: Mechademia Conference on Asian Popular Culture, 2013, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Abstract accepted.
"Rethinking Curricula: Media Law and Ethics", Journalism Education Association of Australia, Annual Conference. Redrawing the Boundaries: Journalism Research, Education and Professional Culture in Times of Change. University of the Sunshine Coast, December 2-24, 2013.
- Abstract offered.
Book Review - 2013
Russell, Keith. 2013. [Book Review] Global Technological Change: From Hard Technology to Soft Technology, Zhouying Jin, 2011. 2nd ed. Bristol, UK: Intellect. In The Australian Journal of Popular Culture, 2: 3. 2013 pp. 500-502.
Newspaper Article - 2013
"Humanities lecturers need code of practice: A declaration of rights has become urgent", The Australian, Higher Education, 26 June, 2013, p. 28.
Conference Publication Refereeing 2013
5th IASDR World Conference on Design Research, Tokyo, Japan, on August 26 - 30, 2013.
8th International Conference on the Arts in Society
PORTAL: Special edition on Stigma, 2013.
Craft Research, 5:1, 2013.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 04/05/1991
- Master of Higher Education, University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Newcastle, 05/05/1984
Research
Research keywords
- Media practice
- New humanities
- New media poetics
- Phenomenology
- Philosophy of communication
- Philosophy of design
Research expertise
Dr Russell has extensive experience of traditional humanities research methods and new humanities research methods. His expertise has made him an ideal rescuer supervisor. He has taken many difficult thesis topics forward through the difficulties of experimental methods.
As the co-owner of the PhD Design email group, he participates in the larger methodological debates that are implicit in practice-base areas of research such as Design and Communication. This participation provides access to leading international scholars in these difficult areas.
His Masters of Higher Education focused specifically on the practices of Design in terms of both teaching and research. This has provided him with a firm theoretical grounding in the areas of phenomenology, constructivism, ethnography, and reception aesthetics.
Languages
- English
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 120399 | Design Practice And Management Not Elsewhere Classified | 50 |
| 190199 | Art Theory And Criticism Not Elsewhere Classified | 25 |
| 080799 | Library And Information Studies Not Elsewhere Classified | 25 |
Memberships
Body relevant to professional practice.
- Member - Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand
- Co-owner/moderator - PhD-Design email group (1200 members)
Editorial Board.
- Editor - New Media Poetics
Appointments
| Visiting Professor in Design Unitec, Auckland (New Zealand) | 01/02/2007 |
Invitations
| New Media Regulation and Cultural Literacies - The Need for Evidence-Based Policy Institute for Social Transformation Research, Australia (Invited Presenter) | 2012 |
| Unitec School of Design, New Zealand (Research Masters Examiner.) | 2007 |
Collaboration
Dr Russell is currently developing a collaboration with Dr Rhonda Breit of the University of Queensland to form a national reference group to develop ethics teaching strategies and scenarios, based on media production experiences of communication professions. This is developing area of his work that follows up on a research project (DIT moral maturity test) carried out in 2012. This work may be extended to include games-based teaching materials of national and international significance.
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Dr Russell is currently a member of the Faculty Board (Science and IT), a member of the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee, a Research Ethics Advisor for DCIT and Science and IT, and the coordinator of DCIT Research Seminars.
In addition, over his more that 25 years of employment with the University, he has been Head of Department (CAMA), Research and Post Graduates Studies Coordinator (DCIT), member of Faculty Boards (four), and a member of Senate.
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Communication and media studies
- Communication media law and ethics
- Design concepts and methods
- Media production
- Professional writing - practice-based learning
Teaching expertise
Dr Russell has wide teaching experience which is backed up by his formal undertaking of a Masters of Higher Education. He has always been an innovative teacher and was awarded a teaching grant in the very birth-days of the Internet to engage Design students with the new media and communication technologies.
He has taught a wide range of courses including 2D and 3D CADD, and electronic media production. For many years he ran very successful gifted and talented workshops for children. This teaching provided him with many useful insights into the possibilities of learning and the various developmental psychology theories that inform current teaching of pre-university students.
He continues to challenge his students through student-centred and student-driven learning approaches. He continues to publish in areas of teaching research.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 10 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $24,953 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2008 (1 grants)
Dare to Desire: 6th International Design & Emotion Conference, 6/10/2008 - 9/10/2008$1,700
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,700 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189524 | ||
2005 (1 grants)
European Academy of Design 06 - Design - System - Evolution, 29-31 March 2005, Germany$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2005 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0185100 | ||
2004 (1 grants)
Research into Practice, 2 July 2004, UK$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0184146 | ||
2002 (1 grants)
The Basic Paradox [Design] - part of Profile Intermedia 5, Bremen, Germany 6 - 8 December 2002$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2002 | 2002 |
| GNo:G0182630 | ||
2001 (1 grants)
Desire, Designium, Design: 4th European Academy of Design Conference, Portugal 10-12 April 2001$1,432
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,432 | 2001 | 2001 |
| GNo:G0180759 | ||
2000 (1 grants)
Doctoral Education in Design: Foundations for the Future, La Clusaz, France.$1,870
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,870 | 2000 | 2000 |
| GNo:G0180254 | ||
1997 (1 grants)
Design Education for the 21 Century, Gold Coast, QLD, 3-6 July 1997$311
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $311 | 1997 | 1997 |
| GNo:G0179558 | ||
1996 (1 grants)
An integrated electronic publishing strategy for learning$6,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Teaching Committee Teaching Grants | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $6,000 | 1996 | 1996 |
| GNo:G0175997 | ||
1994 (1 grants)
Association of NZ Literature Conference on ames K Baxter, Poit and Prophet - Denedin - 26-28 August 1994$440
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $440 | 1994 | 1994 |
| GNo:G0175129 | ||
1993 (1 grants)
2D - 3D Real and virtual solids modelling$6,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Keith Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Teaching Committee Teaching Grants | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $6,000 | 1993 | 1993 |
| GNo:G0175911 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 0 |
|---|
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | PhD (Comm & Media Arts) | Co-Supervisor | The Gap between Indonesian Media Training and the Profession: Factors Affecting Young Women in Communication Studies and Media Careers |
| 2004 | PhD (Comm & Media Arts) | Co-Supervisor | MASS MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY: a study of the roles of the mass media in the Indonesian transition period 1997-1999 |
Dr Keith Russell
| Work Phone | (02) 4985 4533 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 5896 |
| Keith.Russell@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Senior Lecturer School of Design Communication and IT Faculty of Science and Information Technology |
| Focus Area | Communication |
| Office | ICT3-54, ICT Building, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/keith-russell |
| Link | http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/keith-russell |
