Research candidate

Jennifer Rose

Research topic

Migrant rights activism in Melbourne and the development of multiculturalism and public culture, 1940s to the 1980s

Culturally diverse Melbourne has been the site of significant migrant rights activism due in large part to the post-World War II migration program. Jen is undertaking a study that spans beyond specific ethnic/cultural groups to consider broadly the nature and influence of migrants’ rights activism in Melbourne from the late 1940s to the 1980s in areas such as migrant workers' rights, rights to education, health and social services, cultural rights and democratic rights. This project contributes to the cultural history of Melbourne by exploring episodes of migrant’s rights activity within the historic context of local urban settings and the influence of migrants’ rights activism in shaping multiculturalism and ‘public culture’ in Melbourne.

Supervisory team

Principal supervisor: Dr Mary Tomsic
Co-supervisor: Dr Rachel Stevens
Associate supervisor (end-user): Carmel Guerra OAM - CEO, Centre for Multicultural Youth

Learn more about End-user Associate Supervision and Industry PhD opportunities at ACU

Industry internship

In 2023, Jennifer undertook an internship at Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) to develop CMY’s history website. The interactive timeline explores the 35-year journey of CMY, established in 1988 as the first organisation to work exclusively with migrant and refugee young people. Jennifer collected and developed historical content – including audio, film, photography and written accounts – to collaborate on the website which showcases the diverse stories that have shaped CMY.

Learn more about Industry PhD Internships at ACU

Publications

Digital histories

Rose, J. & Centre for Multicultural Youth (2024). 35 Years of Culture Shaping. The Centre for Multicultural Youth, Melbourne.

Rose, J. & The Boîte (2019). The Boîte: History through music, song and story. The Boîte, Melbourne.

Journal articles

Rose, J. (2024). “Reflections on the audiences of our work with community organisations”, Circa: the Journal of Professional Historians Australia. Issue 8. pp 40-44.

Homan, S. & Rose, J. (2022). “The Catcher: Melbourne’s 1960s discotheques and law and order”, History Australia Vol 19, No 3, pp 523-540. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14490854.2022.2054443

Book chapters

Rose, J. & O’Hanlon, S. (2024). “Beyond ‘Pub Rock’: Immigration, multiculturalism and the changing face of Melbourne’s live music scene” in Homan, S., Strong, C., O’Hanlon, S. & Tebbut, J. (eds), Interrogating Popular Music and the City. Routledge.

Public engagement

“Bringing Australia's diverse history to life”, Impact, Australian Catholic University, April 2024.

“CEO Message”, News, Centre for Multicultural Youth, February 2024.

“Reflecting Melbourne’s musical diversity: The Boîte’s History Project”, Public Records Office Victoria, 2023.