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Jane Messer

(she/her)
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Cultural and Creative Research, University of Canberra, University of Canberra

Jane Messer is an esteemed  Australian fiction and nonfiction writer, developmental editor and writing  mentor, and a Visiting Fellow, Centre for Cultural and Creative Research, University of Canberra. She is the author of three novels that have received critical success (Hopscotch, Provenance and Night by Night). Other works include radio plays, a digital game, essays, short stories and opinion pieces. Her scholarly research and  publications have focused on work life, mothering as work, and literary representations of mothering.

She was the Course Director of the Master of Creative Writing, Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University from 2004-2021. She is a former judge of the Australian Vogel Literary Awards and former Director of the ASA. She lives in Sydney on Gadigal and Wangal land. 

Books—
- Hopscotch. 2015. Novel. Sydney: Picador/ Pan Macmillan Australia.
- Provenance. 2007. Novel. Sydney: Vintage/Random House.
- Certifiable Truths - stories of love and madness. 1998. Anthology. Ed, J Messer. Allen & Unwin.
- Bedlam - anthology of sleepless night. 1996. Anthology. Ed, J Messer. Allen & Unwin.
- Night by Night. 1994. Novel. McPhee Gribble/Penguin.

Digital & Broadcast —
- The Great Fire. 2019. Online narrative game. Jane Messer, Malcolm Ryan, Paul Formosa, Stephanie Howarth. Prod: Chaos Game Theory, Sydney. https://wordsonplay.itch.io/the-great-fire
- Dear Dr Chekhov. 2015. Radio drama. Writer Jane Messer. Prod: Jane Messer, Jane Ulman. Radio National, Soundproof, August 21 & 23, 2015. 56 minutes. Australian Broadcasting Commission. http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/soundproof/dear-dr-chekhov/6697620
- Mermaid of Cockatoo. 2007. Radio drama. Radio National, Airplay, 18 Feb and 23 Feb 2007. Repeat 19 April 2009. 26 minutes. Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Experience

  • 2023–present
    Visiting Fellow, Centre for Creative and Cultural Research, University of Canberra
  • 2021–2023
    Honorary Associate Professor, Department of MCCALL, Macquarie University
  • 2004–2021
    Associate Professor, Department of MCCALL, Macquarie University

Education

  • 2013 
    Macquarie University, Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
  • 2002 
    University of Technology, Sydney, Doctor of Creative Arts
  • 1993 
    The Johns Hopkins University, Master of Fiction Writing
  • 1987 
    Macquarie University, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)

Grants and Contracts

  • 2021
    Known Woman: Raven Mother
    Role:
    Author/CI
    Funding Source:
    Create NSW
  • 2020
    Raven Mother
    Role:
    Author/CI
    Funding Source:
    Australia Council for the Arts

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Society of Authors, full member

Honours

OLT Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 2014