RMIT welcomes John Hughes as Adjunct Professor

An independent producer, writer and director for film, television and online media, Hughes’ work has engaged with Australian cultural and political history and issues over a number of decades.

His documentary output is formally innovative and research driven, with Australian labour history, native title and Indigenous rights prominent among his films.

Associate Professor Lisa French, Deputy Dean (Media) in the School of Media and Communication, said the selection of John Hughes as Adjunct Professor was a recognition not only of his significant industry expertise but also of his academic writing.

“He is a person who has willingly given his time in both industry and academic contexts, and recently has been making a valuable contribution to the Screen Cultures Research Group within the School,” she said.

As a producer and director for television, Hughes’ works include a number of projects made with cultural commentator, writer and presenter Betty Churcher AO (Take Five, 1998, ABC; Hidden Treasures series 1 NGA: 2005, Hidden Treasures series 2: NLA 2008 ABC; The Art of War 2007 SBS; John Olson: An Unstoppable Force 2008 ABC1).

Hughes has held a range of significant industry positions, including Commissioning Editor for television at SBS Independent (1999-2001).

His professional practice has also taken an interest in works for gallery settings, with his video and film work presented at the ICA London, ARC Art Museum Paris, Biennale of Sydney, Ewing Gallery, University of Melbourne and ACMI Melbourne.

An academic book about his oeuvre, The Films of John Hughes, will be published in 2015 by ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) through their Moving Image monograph series, Australia’s premier series on film and television history, theory analysis and criticism.

During his appointment at RMIT, Hughes will provide academic and industry leadership, participate in a combination of public events, deliver lectures and mentor undergraduate and post-graduate students.

The honorary appointment is for three years until February 2018.