On 25 and 26 August, ������Ƶ Library welcomed Dr Danny Kingsley, one of Australia’s most respected voices in open scholarship, for a two-day visit that brought researchers, library staff, and colleagues from across the WA university sector into conversation about open research and scholarly publishing.

The visit was organised in direct response to the Library Strategy 2026/27 priority to Invest in our people and their development, which commits the Library to fostering a culture of learning and evidence-informed practice. One of the strategy’s key enablers is creating all-staff professional development opportunities through direct engagement with experts locally and nationally.

Danny’s visit opened with a panel discussion for the Curtin research community, “Prestige vs Purpose: Rethinking Scholarly Publishing”. Chaired by Danny, the panel brought together Professor Gretchen Benedix, Dr Jacqueline Boaks and Dr Ellie Sayyad Abdi for a candid conversation about why we publish, cite and evaluate research the way we do. Prestige, citations and journal rankings have long served as a proxy for quality and rigour, shaping careers, funding and reputations, but as AI changes the way research is produced, reviewed and assessed, the panel asked whether these norms still serve the research they were built to support. The discussion was frank and, at times, provocative, and gave our audience plenty to think about as they headed back to their own labs and offices.

That same day, Danny led Library staff through a hands-on professional development session, “Future gazing in four provocations”. Working through four deliberately unsettling propositions: It’s publishing but not as we knew it; AI is a parasite on open; We don’t need no discovery layer; and, just in time not just in case. The session pushed staff to question assumptions about the future of the profession and consider how the Library needs to adapt to stay relevant.

On 26 August, Danny turned her attention to the wider WA library sector, running a two-hour interactive workshop for colleagues from all five WA university libraries as part of the WA University Librarians (WAUL) ongoing collaboration. “Advocacy Starts With You: Progressing Open Science Together” made the case that progressing open science is everyone’s job, and that it takes people at every level who can explain why it matters to the people who need to hear it. Participants practised talking about their work in plain language, identified the stakeholders who matter most to their own open science goals, and developed and pitched a two-minute case for action. The session wrapped up with half an hour of networking and morning tea, giving colleagues from across the sector a chance to connect.

Written by Janice Chan, Deputy Director, Research and Discovery

On Wednesday 19 August, the Library Makerspace transformed into a celebration of creativity for the opening of Unhidden — an arts show for Disability Pride Month.

The show brought together artists, creatives and the Curtin community to hear from people with lived experience about the intersections of art and disability, and to celebrate the incredible work created through months of creative activities across campus.

From soft sculpture, crochet and bejewelled artefacts to painting, poetry, podcasts, graphic art, lino prints, collage and zines, Unhidden showcases the many ways creativity can be expressed.

A huge thank you to all the artists, speakers and contributors for sharing their creativity and lived experiences with us, and to everyone who helped bring the exhibition and its creative program to life.

We’re proud that the Makerspace could provide a safe space for these voices and creative works to be seen, celebrated and (most importantly) unhidden.

Unhidden is on display in the Makerspace at TL Robertson Library until Friday 4 September. Come along, explore the exhibition and vote for your favourite artist or artwork in the People’s Choice Awards.

������Ƶ Library is delighted to unveil its newest exhibition, 50 Years of Curtin FM, now showing in the TL Robertson Library through to the end of semester.

Celebrating five decades of Curtin’s iconic community radio station, the exhibition explores the stories, people and programs that have shaped its remarkable legacy. Since its beginnings in 1976 as Western Australia’s first community radio station, has provided a platform for music enthusiasts, sporting communities, migrant groups and other underrepresented voices across the state. Its commitment to inclusion saw the introduction of groundbreaking programs, including Australia’s first Noongar radio program, with several initiatives eventually evolving into independent community broadcasters in their own right.

Through a rich collection of artefacts and archival material, the exhibition charts the evolution of 6NR/Curtin FM and highlights significant moments from its 50-year history. Visitors can discover the breadth of the station’s programming, from specialist sports broadcasts to a unique show produced from inside a Western Australian prison. On display are vintage radios, photographs, newspaper clippings and immersive audio recordings featuring live performances, sponsorship reels, ethnic music collections and memorable interviews.

50 Years of Curtin FM celebrates the creativity, diversity and community spirit that have defined the station across generations, while recognising its lasting contribution to Western Australia’s media landscape.

Visit 50 Years of Curtin FM in the Level 3 Exhibition Space at TL Robertson Library today.

Event details

Date: Open every day until the end of Semester 2, 2026
Time: Open 24/7
Venue:
Cost: Free (No RSVP required)

Books were central to John Curtin’s life. After leaving school at thirteen, he continued his education by reading books on social problems, politics and history as well as novels and poetry.  In 1917, he moved to Perth to become editor of the Westralian Worker and married his fiancée, Elsie Needham, who shared his love of reading. The family library had pride of place in the lounge room of their Cottesloe house. Curtin’s reading journey continued as his political career took him from member for Fremantle in 1928 to prime minister in 1941. His family library offers a window into his intellectual world and his formation over a lifetime, in preparation for his ultimate role as Australia’s wartime leader.  

The exhibition showcases a wide range of books from the family library, including poetry, pamphlets, history, novels and practical books on editing a newspaper. Many of the books were gifts and the inscriptions and associations with friends, family, and public figures add an extra layer of significance. The exhibition also features the family scrapbooks with newspaper cuttings relating to the Curtins’ reading habits.

You can view the exhibition at any time until the end of the year on Level 3 of the TL Robertson Library or online . In celebration of John Curtin’s love of reading, the exhibition offers a free book to visitors for a limited time. Friendship is a Sheltering Tree: John Curtin’s letters 1907 to 1945, edited by David Black and published by JCPML, presents the personal side of John Curtin through the letters he wrote to his wife, friends, family and colleagues.

Written by Nathan Hobby, Special Collections Librarian/Archivist

The conference brought together PASS and peer learning practitioners, leaders and researchers from across Australasia to share innovative practice, explore emerging trends, recognise challenges in the sector, and celebrate the impact of peer-led learning in higher education.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition of Raafat El-Mongi, who received the 2025 Outstanding New PASS Leader Award alongside two other peer leaders from across the region. The award recognises exceptional leadership, commitment and contribution to the PASS community, reflecting the positive impact Raf has made through his work supporting fellow students and colleagues.

Raf humbly reflected on his award, thanking his teammates for their part in shaping his facilitation and leadership style:

“At the end of the day, the facilitator I’ve become is so strongly influenced by Tracy and by everyone around me – all the other facilitators. I’m so grateful for our strong connection and for the chance to learn from and support one another in areas where we’re struggling. I strongly believe this award is not just a recognition of me, but a recognition of all of us. I’m really glad to have been able to bring it home and represent ������Ƶ and our UniPASS program as a whole. This award is truly on behalf of everyone.”

Tracy and Raf also co-presented two conference sessions showcasing Curtin’s approach to peer learning:

• From Peers to Practice: Using PASS to Develop Culturally Responsive University Graduates

• From Performance Review to Developmental Dialogue: Rethinking Observation and Feedback in Peer Learning

Their presentations highlighted innovative practices that support student development, cultural responsiveness and reflective learning. Both sessions generated engaging discussion among delegates and provided an opportunity to share Curtin’s experiences with colleagues from across the sector.

The conference was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen professional networks and learn from the diverse experiences of peer learning programs throughout Australasia.

Reflecting on the conference, Raf highlighted the opportunity to connect with peers from across the region:

“It was a really rewarding experience. It was great meeting people from so many different places – Cairns, New South Wales, Queensland and Vietnam, to name a few. It was wonderful to connect and realise that, although we all come from different backgrounds, we share the same vision for PASS. We all want to support our attendees and continue developing ourselves so we can be the best facilitators we can be.”

Congratulations to Raf and Tracy on representing ������Ƶ so proudly and on Raf’s well-deserved recognition. Their contributions continue to strengthen the UniPASS program and demonstrate Curtin’s leadership in peer learning across the region.

Eytahnyia Scott, Jaru woman, adopted by the Yolngu people, has been awarded the 2026 Indigenous Leader Award from the Council of Australasian University Librarians (CAUL). The award recognises Eytahnyia’s significant contributions as an Indigenous Learning Advisor in transforming the way the Library engages with and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. 

In two short years, among many other initiatives, Eytahnyia led the broader Library team to: 

• Create a dedicated and culturally safe space for the Indigenous community in the Library. Whadjuk Malayin Mia opened in 2024. It features Indigenous artwork and objects, comfortable furniture and supports connection between Indigenous students. 
  
• Recruit two Indigenous Peer Academic Mentors to provide tailored support to Indigenous students. The mentors are high-achieving current students offering academic guidance and help navigating university life.
  
• Launch the Indigenous All Stars Conference for Higher Degree by Research students. The conference, a collaboration with Curtin’s Research Office was first offered in 2024 and has become an annual event. One attendee noted that it was a “Deadly event bringing together Black Excellence and showcasing research that supports self-determination, data sovereignty and the rights of Indigenous people to create new knowledge whilst elevating Indigenous stories and strengths-based narratives.”

Eytahnyia’s leadership has enabled far greater and more meaningful engagement between the Library and Curtin’s Indigenous community. The Library is better equipped to provide targeted support, and with Eytahnyia’s guidance, feels more confident in doing so. The number of Indigenous students engaging with library events and programs has increased substantially, as have collaborations with Indigenous staff. Eytahnyia is at the centre of these achievements. Congratulations, Eytahnyia, on this well-deserved award! 

Written by Claire Murphy, Deputy Director of Learning and Library Experience

Following our announcement on 1 April, the deposit integration between Elements and CURATE is now complete, concluding the repository migration project. CURATE is now fully functional.

The project gave us the opportunity to rebrand espace as �䱫�鴡�շ���(������Ƶ Research Academic and Teaching Electronic repository), reflecting a modern, accessible home for Curtin’s research outputs. 

While the name has changed, our commitment to open scholarship remains the same. CURATE brings together research outputs by Curtin authors—including Higher Degree by Research (HDR) theses—to increase the visibility, discoverability and impact of Curtin research. It also helps researchers meet funders’ Open Access requirements at no cost.

Depositing both traditional and non-traditional research outputs is simple. Curtin Library supports the process through a single deposit point in Elements, with eligible outputs made discoverable in CURATE and assigned a DOI where applicable.

Guidance on using Elements and information about which research outputs are in scope for CURATE are available in the   

The Library also offers workshops and support services to help researchers manage, share and maximise the impact of their work.

Explore  and share your feedback or any questions with the team at curate@curtin.edu.au 

Anastasia Scala recently joined the Library as Library Technician in the Research Services team. We spoke to Anastasia to learn more about her background, work experience and role.

My first career was in illustration and fine art. I completed a Bachelor of Communication Design (Illustration) in New York City and worked there as a freelance illustrator before spending some time doing the same in London.

While I was in London, I took on a range of other roles to support myself and eventually worked at the Museum of London. I had always been interested in history, and that experience was where I first became seriously interested in information services. London was a great place to be for this, but eventually the cold wore me down.

When I returned home to Perth, I continued my art practice by completing a Master of Fine Art at ������Ƶ. This led to exhibitions, residencies, and trying to sell my work, while I continued balancing other jobs to make ends meet. Even so, my interest in galleries, museums, and libraries continued.

After some soul-searching, I decided to study Library and Information Services at North Metropolitan TAFE. I completed the Certificate III and then moved straight into the Diploma. In the same year, I began working as a casual library officer at Bassendean and Bayswater libraries, which led to a temporary contract role at Ruth Faulkner Library in Belmont. After gaining experience in public libraries, I have now found my way to Curtin!

I am the new acquisitions Library Technician on the Research Services team at ������Ƶ Library. My primary role is ordering monographs that are requested by students and staff and making sure everything is organised in that area.

I’m relatively new to Alma and acquisitions, but I’m excited to learn! I’m currently a student as well as a member of staff, while I work on my Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Science, so it is interesting to see things from the other side. I am looking forward to helping other students with their research and studies.

As you can probably guess, I still have a strong interest in fine art and illustration! I visit galleries and exhibitions as much as I can and still work on my own art at home. Painting is my main focus, but lately I’ve been intrigued by mosaic art. I also enjoy baking, the occasional video game, and trading card games. But frequently, I’m lounging at home with my cat Caleb.

Written by Anastasia Scala, Library Technician

We’re proud to share the 2025 Curtin Library Annual Report, now available to view on the Library website. The report highlights a year of innovation, collaboration, and community connection across Curtin Library.

Highlights include:

• The development of our AI Literacy Framework 
• Hosting the CAUL Council meeting
• Our Creative-in-Residence program launch
• Thesis Fest celebrates its 5th anniversary
• Makerspace celebrates its 10th anniversary
• The launch of Unstacked

Curtin Library’s Creative in Residence program got off to a colourful start in May, with eco-dyeing workshops led by artist Allira Sinclair.

Across multiple sessions, students and staff came together in the Library Makerspace to experiment with natural dyeing techniques, using eucalyptus leaves and other locally sourced botanical materials to create unique textile prints. Alongside the creative process, participants shared stories and reflected on their connections to Curtin Library, sparking conversations about place, community and belonging.

The workshops attracted a great mix of staff and students, creating a welcoming and collaborative environment where creativity and conversation flourished. Participants also generously donated some of their finished textile pieces, which will be incorporated into a larger collaborative artwork by Allira as part of the 2026 Creative in Residence program.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this exciting project. We look forward to sharing the completed artwork when it is unveiled later this year.