Associate Professor Robyn Creagh

Associate Dean Research | Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Law & Business
PhD Memory and Urban Place: A Visual Enquiry, Curtin 2024. B.Arch, Curtin 2014. BAppSci(Arch Science), Curtin 2005

Email: robyn.creagh@nd.edu.au
Phone: 9433 0867

ORCID

  • Biography

    A/Prof Robyn Creagh is the Associate Dean Research for the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Law and Business. As ADR Robyn works to support and develop the research environment of the Faculty and the University. Robyn is passionate about the intersection of university, community and industry; and the learning and teaching of applied research skills for professional contexts.

    Robyn’s research, and teaching into the post-graduate architecture program at UNDA, focuses on the experience of place and applied research methods. Robyn is an experienced interdisciplinary researcher: having led and managed multi-disciplinary teams in delivery of high-quality traditional research outputs such as books and journals, as well as reports for industry, and exhibitions of creative works. Robyn’s work is aligned to UNDA’s Strong Communities transformative research theme.

    In addition to completing studies in architecture, and a PhD in history and theory of the built environment at Curtin University, Robyn trained as a Regenerative Design Facilitator through the Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University. Robyn is a skilful and engaging teacher, facilitator, and mentor.

  • Teaching areas

    Robyn leads the Architectural Research and Context stream of the Architecture programs at UNDA. This stream includes the courses Architectural Research Methods, Architectural Contexts, Architectural Research & Critique, and Analysing Architecture.

    In these courses a project-based flipped-classroom approach engages students in grounded real-world learning experiences and develops students’ critical research skills and their empathetic engagement with difference. Robyn’s teaching evaluations and student satisfaction are consistently above 90%.

    The excellence of Robyn’s teaching and curriculum development was recognised in a 2022 Vice Chancellor’s Promoting Excellence in Learning and Teaching (PELT) – Postgraduate Teaching Award for “developing a suite of innovative and engaging postgraduate architecture courses.” Elements of Robyn’s approach has informed curriculum at other architecture schools.

    Further impact of the teaching approach in UNDA architecture programs is seen in the success of graduates in leveraging their graduating projects for prestigious employment and contribution to the national professional discourse.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Robyn is an experienced supervisor in the area of place experience, with expertise in case study, qualitative, and practice-based research methodologies.

    Supervision of Research Masters Completions

    • Experiences of the Fremantle Asylum (1864-1908): Communicating spatial histories through game design, Fiona Giles, MPhil – Architectural Heritage. 2026.
    • New Suburban Landscapes: An Architectural Design Inquiry for Perth Western Australia. Kieran Murnane. MPhil – Architecture. 2023.

    Supervision of PhDs Completions

    • Addressing Biodiversity Loss in Western Australian Architecture Practice. Deanne Neilson, (Passed Subject to Minor Changes 2026), Doctor of Philosophy – Architecture, University of Notre Dame Australia.
    • Architecture and Students’ Physical Activity in Learning Environments. Rachel Tindall, 2022. Doctor of Philosophy – Architecture, University of Notre Dame Australia.
    • Embodied immersive experiences: A path to facilitating connection to nonhuman nature. Rebecca Scherini, 2022. Doctor of Philosophy – Urban and Regional Planning, Curtin University.
    • Challenging Placelessness: Site-Specific Art within the Gallery. Shannon Lyons, 2016. Doctor of Philosophy – Art, Curtin University.

    Examinations of PhDs Completed

    • RMIT, Interior Design PhD, 2026.
    • RMIT, Architectural Design PhD, 2025.
    • University of Southern Queensland, Creative Practice PhD, 2024.

  • Books

    • Creagh, R. 2019. Visual Spatial Enquiry: Diagrams and Metaphors for Architects and Spatial Thinkers, Robyn Creagh and Sarah McGann (eds). Routledge Research in Architecture. Routledge: London.

  • Book chapters

    • Creagh, R., C. Babb, 2020. “Place Based Local Government and Developer Engagement: their role, value and alignment”. Placemaking Fundamentals for the Built Environment, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Creagh, R. 2019. “Diagrams and Metaphors for Seeing, Doing and Making Space.” Visual Spatial Enquiry: Diagrams and Metaphors for Architects and Spatial Thinkers, Robyn Creagh and Sarah McGann (eds). Routledge Research in Architecture. Routledge: London.
    • Creagh, R., T. Kerr, S. Cox, P. Ryder. 2016. “Securing Space for Hospitality in a Colonial Landscape” Indian Ocean Futures: Communities, Sustainability and Security Thor Kerr and John Stephens (eds), Cambridge Scholars.

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    • Creagh, R., S. McGann, J. Jancey, K. Blackford, M. Tye, R. Tindall, A. Sal Moslehian (forthcoming - 2024) “Workplace Circulation Design and Movement: A Case Study of Three Australian Campus Buildings” Architectural Engineering and Design Management. doi: 10.1080/17452007.2024.2384993 Q1 Architecture.
    • Creagh, R. 2018 “Design Tactics for Urban Places: Fragmentation and Malleability in Attachment to Contested and Changing Cities.” Home Cultures. pp. 1–12, doi:10.1080/17406315.2018.1555120 Q1 Cultural Studies and Visual and Performing Arts.
    • Willson, M., M. Tye, S. Gorman, K. Ely-Harper, R. Creagh, T. Leaver, M. Magladry, and O. Efthimiou. 2017. “Framing the Women’s AFL: Contested Spaces and Emerging Narratives of Hope and Opportunity for Women in Sport.” Sport in Society. doi: 10.1080/17430437.2017.1409727 Q1 Cultural Studies
    • Creagh, R., S. McGann, M. Tye, J. Jancey, C. Babb. 2017. “Greenstar is not a Physical Activity Star: Findings of a pre-post building activity study.” Facilities. vol. 35, no. 1/2, pp. 81–98, doi:10.1108/f-12-2015-0092 Q1 Architecture.
    • Jancey, J. M., McGann, S., Creagh, R., Blackford, K. D., Howat, P. and Tye, M. 2016. “Workplace building design and office-based workers' activity: a study of a natural experiment.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 40: 78–82. doi:10.1111/1753-6405.12464
    • McGann, S., R. Creagh, M. Tye, J. Jancey & K. Blackford. 2014. “Stationary in the office: emerging themes for active buildings.” Architectural Science Review 57(4):260-270. doi:10.1080/00038628.2014.958127 Q1 Architecture

  • Original creative works

    Solo Exhibitions

    • Creagh R. Unfixed Connections. Curated by Leonie Mathews. Perth Centre for Photography, WA. 4 April -5 May 2014.
    • Creagh, R. Postcards for Perth: An Exhibition of Works Exploring Memories of Place as Shapers of Urban Experience. Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC), WA. 5-19 Oct 2012.

    Major Creative Works

    • Creagh, R. 2017. They are myriad. Approx. 4400 postcard blanks. Overall dimensions variable. Exhibited: Creagh, R., S. Pendal, S. Lyons. Moments of Place. Paper Mountain Gallery, Perth. October 6-22 2017.
    • Irvine, L., R. Creagh, M. Robertson. (untitled entry: finalist) Tapestry Design Prize for Architects, Exhibited: Australian Tapestry Workshop, Melbourne, June; Stylecraft, Sydney. August 2015.

    Exhibition Curator

    • Creagh, R., M. Tye (curators) Contesting Space 1: Women in Sport. John Curtin Gallery. 27 July – 2 September, 2018. Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) MAGNA Awards, Research Category Level 1 Award..
    • Matthews, L., R. Creagh (curators) Still Life: Extraordinary, Everyday. Mundaring Arts Centre. 21 August- 27 September 2015.
    • Creagh, R., S. Lyons. (curators) Go Away and Come Back: an exhibition of architecture, travel, research, experience. The Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery, Fremantle, WA. 12-20 October 2013.

    Selected Group Exhibition and Minor Creative Works

    • Creagh, R., S. McGann, and M. Tarbett, ‘Space of Migration: Being in Two Places at One Time, Dublin and Perth.’ Short Film. Shown in Urban Screenings 2015-2016 Curated M. Cho, F. MacFarlane, R. Cameron. Federation Square 13 March 2016, Pavilion X Canberra ACT, 27 November 2015; The Autumn Co, Brisbane QLD, 6 November 2015; Perth Cultural Centre, WA 1-31st October 2015; Office of Design and Architecture, Adelaide SA, 9-12 October 2015.
    • Creagh, R., S. Cox, T. Kerr, P. Ryder and the Nyoongar Tent Embassy. I’m Not Going Anywhere. I’m Here All the Time. NAIDOC Week, State Library, WA. 7-14 July 2013.

  • Community engagement

    Exploring Housing Diversity and Density: Barriers and Opportunities in Perth.
    Industry report for Gresley Abas Architects. Creagh, R. 2019.

    This study explores the conditions needed for increased housing density and diversity in Perth. It builds on Gresley Abas Architects’ winning entries of the Queensland Government’s Density and Diversity Done Well architectural design competition to catalyse a rich conversation with industry and government experts – identifying key barriers and facilitators.

    Active Workplace Design: Pre-post relocation study.
    Industry Research Report for HBF. Centre for Sport and Recreation Research. Creagh, R., J. Jancey, S. McGann, K. Blackford, R. Pages-Oliver, and M. Tye. 2014.

    The subject of this report was the social and spatial context of physical activity of an Australian workforce as they transitioned to a new workplace. This report was the outcome of an industry research grant secured by the Centre for Sport and Recreation Research ($100,000 funded by HBF) and a major project of my Post Doctoral Fellowship with the Centre.

  • Affiliations and associations

    • Co-Convener Associate Deans Research Network, DASSH 2026-current. Deans of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, Australia and New Zealand.
    • Architects Accreditation Council of Australia, ‘Accreditation Standing Panel’ AACA 2020-2024.
    • Secretary, Cohen Connect. 2021-2024. Cohen Connect is a WA based not-for-profit network supporting equity in the built environment professions.
    • Editor, The Architect. 2017-2019. Journal of the Australian Institute of Architects, WA. Role shared with Fiona Giles.

  • Awards

    • 2022 Vice Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence, Postgraduate Teaching Category.
    • 2020 Research Award for projects with a budget of less than $20,000, Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) MAGNA Awards. Awarded to the Centre for Sport and Recreation Research and John Curtin Gallery for the research exhibition Contesting Space 1: Women in Sport.
    • 2019 Place Leaders Asia Pacific Place Leadership Award. Awarded to Place Agency & The University of Melbourne for the Place Agency national teaching and learning collaboration.
    • 2019 Awards for Planning Excellence WA. President’s Award. Awarded to Future Bayswater and Curtin University for Bayswater Living Lab teaching and learning collaboration.
    • 2019 Awards for Planning Excellence WA. Cutting Edge Research & Teaching. Awarded to Future Bayswater and Curtin University for Bayswater Living Lab teaching and learning collaboration.
    • 2016 Finalist Parks and Leisure Association Awards, in the Inclusive and Connected Communities category. Awarded to Katherine Ashe, Robyn Creagh and Pip Munckton for the Masters of Architecture studio Architecture it Grows in collaboration with North Perth Community Garden.
    • 2016 Teaching Excellence and Innovation Award, Faculty of Humanities WIL Educator Award Category. Awarded to Katherine Ashe, Robyn Creagh and Pip Munckton with the North Perth Community Garden, allied professionals, Centre for Sport and Recreation Research, and Department of Sport and Recreation
    • Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and Curtin Research Scholarship (CRS) over 3yrs, 2010-12, $90,000 .
    • Peter Hunt Travel Prize. Annual graduate prize awarded for program of overseas travel and research 2007, $10,000.
    • 2015 Best Paper Award - Runner Up: Architectural Science Association Conference.
    • 2013 Best Paper Award: Architectural Science Association Conference.
    • 2007 E. G. Cohen Medal, Bronze Medal of the Australian Institute of Architects WA.
    • 2007 Peter Hunt Travel Prize.