Prof. Jen Webb

Before enrolling at CQUniversity, Jen lived around the world working as an accountant. Deciding to pivot toward a more creative and fulfilling career path, she chose CQU when her family relocated to Rockhampton. Her doctoral studies proved transformative, giving her essential methodology, qualitative research skills through extensive regional fieldwork, and the confidence to establish herself as an academic in sociocultural and creative practice research.

Following her PhD, Jen transitioned from sessional teaching and working with the Queensland Art Gallery to her first full academic appointment at the University of Canberra. Her rewarding career progression led to a promotion to full Professor in 2007, serving as Dean of Graduate Research, and eventually achieving the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor of Creative Practice.

Now an Emeritus Professor, Jen continues her research on poetics and the affordances of creative practice for health and wellbeing, alongside mentoring colleagues and HDR candidates. A major career highlight includes supervising approximately 70 research students to completion and contributing to the University of Canberra's evolution into an internationally ranked university. An accomplished author with a vast body of monographs, edited scholarly editions, poetry collections, and exhibitions, Jen actively enriches her community through poetry performances, visual art, and creative festivals.

Thesis title: Artistic production in the Central Queensland region: Politics and practice