International Consortium of Critical Theory Programs | Directory of Programs, Centers, and Projects

Institute for Culture and Society

Western Sydney University

The Institute for Culture and Society researches transformations in culture and society in the context of contemporary global change. It champions collaborative engaged research in the humanities and social sciences for a globalizing digital age.

Founded in 2012, the Institute’s engaged research is committed to making a positive difference in the world. It is engaged ethically and reciprocally with others. Our aim is to carry out innovative interdisciplinary research into continuities and transformations in culture and society in a way that contributes to understanding and shaping contemporary local and global life. This approach involves being reflexively engaged both with the world and in understanding the conditions and limits of its own knowledge practices.

The world today is undergoing change at an unprecedented scale and speed. Major global trends include global civilizational tensions, technological transformations, environmental crises, economic instability, geopolitical shifts, unprecedented transnational mobilities, and rampant urbanization. These trends pose massive challenges for culture and society. They affect our ways of life and require far-reaching cultural adaptation at local, national and global levels.

The Institute’s research program speaks to these multidimensional problems and challenges. A key concern for the Institute is to address the increasingly problematic and uncertain status of knowledge in the contemporary world as a consequence of the increasing complexity of culture and society, including the rise of digital technologies.

Contact Information
Heather Horst, Professor
Ned Rossiter, Professor

Western Sydney University
Institute for Culture and Society
Western Sydney University
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, Australia
Australia
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/ics
ics@westernsydney.edu.au
+61 2 9685 9600

Region
Asia and the Pacific Rim
Oceania

Year Established
2012

Fellowships and Potential Scholarly Affiliations