Creative Directions festival explores the critical issues shaping contemporary media, communications and cultural industries

Monash University

Image by Júnior Ferreira

The rise of generative AI, drag as a cultural force, comedy as an agent of change, and the intersection of sport and climate change. Monash University’s Festival returns with a compelling program of stimulating topics that will delve into the changing role of media and cultures in thriving communities.

Run by Monash University’s School of Media, Film and Journalism, Creative Directions is an annual festival of ideas and industry know-how exploring critical issues shaping the contemporary media, cultural and communications industries.

Creative Directions Director and Lecturer in Communications and Media Studies Whitney Monaghan said this year’s festival is centralised around one of the biggest questions of our age: what does it mean to thrive in our rapidly changing world?

“Our diverse line up of Monash experts, industry representatives and students will provide thought-provoking discussions around emerging technologies like generative AI, the intersection of culture with politics, and journalism for the public good, among other topics,” Dr Monaghan said.

“Ultimately all these discussions culminate in the hypothesis of what role media and culture has in imagining ‘the good life’ and fostering happy, resilient and flourishing communities.”

The festival will run 4-5 October at Monash University’s Caulfield Campus.

The broader community is invited to engage in thought provoking sessions around the changing nature of media in an evolving technological and cultural context.

Creative Directions is a free festival and registrations are essential. To view the full program and secure your spot, register .

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