Professor David Carlin

As a writer and interdisciplinary creative practice researcher, David develops and conducts research projects that use creative methods to tell, respond to and think with new stories about relations of difference, power, identity and collective worldmaking. His research interests include: the ethics, formal and methodological possibilities of literary nonfiction; creative methods and collaborative practices; writing, posthumanism and ecological responsiveness; new models of cultural exchange connecting literary cultures in the Asia-Pacific; and artistic responses to ageing and ageism.

David's books of literary nonfiction include The After-Normal: Brief, Alphabetical Essays on a Changing Planet (Rose Metal Press 2019, co-authored with Nicole Walker), The Abyssinian Contortionist (UWAP 2015), and Our Father Who Wasn't There (Scribe 2010). He co-authored the creative/scholarly book 100 Atmospheres: Studies in Scale and Wonder (Open Humanities Press 2019, with MECO Network), and co-edited two anthologies of new Asian and Australian writing, The Near and the Far, Vols 1&2 (Scribe 2016, 1019, with Francesca Rendle-Short). His award-winning essays have been published widely, including in LitHub, Meanjin, Overland, Griffith Review, Hunger Mountain, Terrain.org, Essay Daily, Westerly, and on ABC RN Soundproof. 

Awards and Achievements 

• Winner, Patricia Hackett Prize, Westerly (2019)
• Runner-Up, Hunger Mountain Creative Nonfiction Prize, U.S.(2018)
• Shortlisted, Woollahra Digital Literary Award for Nonfiction, Australia. (2018)
• Dean's Award for Integrated Scholarship, School of Media and Communication, RMIT (2018)
• Gold Award, Best Writing, New York Festivals Radio Awards, U.S. (2016)
• Gold Award, Best Sound, New York Festivals Radio Awards (2016)
• Silver Award, Best Directing, New York Festivals Radio Awards (2016)
• Silver Award, Best Documentary Arts and Culture, New York Festivals Radio Awards (2016)
• Melbourne Festival Commission, Victoria, Australia (2014)
• Finalist, Premiers Design Awards, Victoria, Australia (2013)
• Teaching Award, Programs that enhance Student Learning: 'The First Year Experience', RMIT, (2013)
• Varuna Writers Centre Second Book Fellowship (2011)
• Australian Teaching and Learning Council (ALTC) Citation, Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (group award RMIT Media Program, 2008)
• Teaching Award, Outstanding Contribution Early Career Academic, RMIT University (2007)
• Certificate of Achievement, Significant Contribution to Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching (group award to Media Program), RMIT University Teaching Awards (2007)
• SBS Independent commission, 2-part Documentary Series, $50,000, Australian Film Commission Production Investment, $100,000, Film Victoria Production Investment, $51,500, The Lifestyle Experts (2004)
• Australian Film Commission Development Investment, $15,000, Are You Too Busy To Watch This (2003)
• Invitations to Screen, in Competition, Amsterdam International Documentary Festival, Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival (Moscow, Russia), Cork Film Festival (Ireland), Sprout Film Festival, New York City, Out of Our Minds (2000 – 2002)
• SBS Independent Commission $50,000, Australian Film Commission Production Investment, $100,000, Film Victoria Production Investment, $20,000, Out of Our Minds (1998)

David co-directs the non/fictionLab research group and WrICE. He teaches studios in the BA Creative Writing, and supervises HDR candidates in Australia and through the PRS Asia Program based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 

David is co-President of the Board of the international NonfictioNOW Conference.

• PhD, University of Melbourne, 2009
  
• Grad. Dip. Film & Television, University of Melbourne VCA, 1996
• BA (Hons Drama and Cinema Studies), Flinders University 1986

David has a background of over twenty years professional experience in the arts and film industries prior to joining RMIT in 2006. He founded theatre and film companies, served as an Artistic Director, attracted multiple grants and had his work win awards and feature at arts and film festivals around the world. His documentary film, Out of Our Minds (SBS TV, 2000), screened in Official Competition at the Amsterdam International Film Festival (IDFA). He directed Circus Oz at the New Victory Theatre, NYC, in 1997. His play, Frankenstein's Children (1990), premiered at the Adelaide Festival and has been performed in Germany, Venezuela and around Australia.  

David has been employed in a number of positions in the performing arts, including:

• Associate Director, Circus Oz (2001–2002)
• Show Director, Circus Oz (1997–1998)
• Artistic Co-ordinator, Melbourne Workers Theatre (1995)
• Artistic Director, Arena Theatre Company, Melbourne (1992–1994)
• Artistic Co-ordinator, Red Shed Company, Adelaide (1991–1992)

David has also held the following honorary positions:

• Director, Board of Management, Back To Back Theatre, Geelong (1996–2004)
• Director, Board of Management, Arena Theatre Company, Melbourne (1992–2000)
• Member, Minister's Advisory Panel, Victoria Commissions, Arts Victoria (1998)
• Founding Member, Management Collective, Red Shed Theatre Company, Adelaide (1986–1992)