Dr Robyn Creagh

Senior Lecturer

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

  • Biography

    Dr Robyn Creagh is an applied researcher, passionate teacher and engaging facilitator. Robyn undertakes collaborative research with industry and interdisciplinary partners at the intersection of built environment design, lived experience and sense of place.

    Robyn is a Senior Lecturer in the Fremantle School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Here she leads the interdisciplinary, creative and applied research stream. Prior to this she was a Lecturer at Curtin University, teaching in Architecture and Planning. 2014-2016 Robyn held a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Centre for Sport and Recreation Research.

    In 2019 her co-edited book Visual Spatial Enquiry: Diagram and Metaphors for Architects and Spatial thinkers was published in the Routledge Research in Architecture series. The book brings together architects and spatial thinkers from the arts, social sciences and humanities to present rich case studies through which to appraise and consider research approaches, methods and process within and across their fields.

    2017-2019 Robyn was the Joint-Editor for The Architect magazine, the journal of record for the Australian Institute of Architects WA. Her most recent publications have grown out of a teaching collaboration of universities and industry partners to bring hands and place-based learning experiences to post graduate students in built environment programs nationally.

  • Teaching areas

    Robyn draws on her research and creative practice experience to inform her teaching. In the Master of Architecture program she has developed and delivers the courses Architectural Research Methods and Architectural Contexts: Urbanism & the Living City. In the Bachelor she teaches Analysing Architecture.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Robyn is an experienced interdisciplinary collaborator and research project manager. She has managed interdisciplinary academic teams to deliver research projects, training, and project visioning facilitation for industry partners including for members of the local and state government sectors, design and community business and not-for-profits. Robyn is currently engaged in a national collaboration of university researchers and industry partners seeking to develop qualitative criteria for the evaluation of place.

    Robyn is a sought after higher degree research supervisor, and mentor. In 2019 Robyn was invited to serve as a mentor to a national pool of PhD students through the Australian Early Career Urban Research Network Symposium attached to the biennial State of Australian Cities conference, and to contribute to a panel discussing the impact of non-traditional research. Robyn is available to supervise masters and PhD projects through traditional and creative practice methodologies that centre on the intersection of lived experience and built environment design.

  • Books

    Creagh, R., S. McGann (eds). 2019. Visual Spatial Methods: Diagrams and Metaphors for Architects and Spatial Thinkers. Routledge Research in Architecture Series. 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. 2019. “Design Tactics for Urban Places: Fragmentation and Malleability in Attachment to Contested and Changing Cities” Home Cultures 15, 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/17406315.2018.1555120.
    • Willson, M., M. Tye, S. Gorman, K. Ely-Harper, R. Creagh, T. Leaver, M. Magladry, and O. Efthimiou. 2018. “Framing the Women’s AFL: Contested Spaces and Emerging Narratives of Hope and Opportunity for Women in Sport” Sport in Society 21:11, 1704-1720. DOI: 10.1080/17430437.2017.1409727
    • 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. 35:1, 81-98. DOI: 10.1108/F-12-2015-0092
    • 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 40:1, 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

  • Conference papers

      • Mackintosh, L., R. Creagh, S. McGann. 2017. “Facilitating Transformative Experiences: Case Studies for School Design.” M. A. Schnabel (ed.), Back to the Future: The Next 50 Years, (51st International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA)).
      • Karro, A., R. Creagh. 2017. “Qualitative Evaluation for Built Environment Soundscapes: Report on a Prototype Data Collection Tool” 8th State of Australian Cities Conference, Adelaide, 28–30 November. A. Karro, my PhD student, was awarded the PhD Paper Prize. DOI:10.4225/50/5b2f2b586eed1
      • Creagh. R., C. Babb, S. McGann, M. Tye. (2016). “Architecture, Physical Activity and a Capability Evaluative Framework: Satisfaction is Not Enough” 50th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association. Adelaide, 7-9 December. http://anzasca.net/category/conference-papers/2016-conference-papers/?authorid=1346
      • Creagh, R. 2015. “Image Analysis of Urban Design Representation Towards Alternatives.” State of Australian Cities National Conference, 9-11 December, Gold Coast, Queensland. https://apo.org.au/node/63329
      • McGann, S., R. Creagh, M. Tye, J. Jancey, R. Pages-Oliver, H. James. 2015. “Stairway to Health: An Analysis for Workplace Stairs Design and Use” LR.H. Crawford and A. Stephan (eds.), Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment: 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2015, pp.224–233. Best Paper Award: Runner-up.
      • Creagh, R., S. McGann, M. Tye, J. Jancey, R. Pages-Oliver. 2014. “Between the User and the Building: A Review of Methods for Analysing Inhabited Space.” F. Madeo and M. A. Schnabel (eds.), Across: Architectural Research through to Practice: 48th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2014, pp. 239–250.
      • McGann,S., M. Tye, J. Jancey, K. Blackford, R. Creagh, and L. Tollis. 2013. “Measuring, mapping, creating: A mixed method approach to sedentary behaviours and workplace design.” Cutting Edge in Architectural Science: Proceedings of the 47th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association. Best Paper Award.

  • Original creative works

      • Creagh, R., M. Tye (exhibition curators) Contesting Space 1: Women in Sport. John Curtin Gallery. 27 July – 2 September, 2018. Winner: Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) MAGNA Awards, Research Award for projects with a budget of less than $20,000.
      • 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.
      • Irvine, L., R. Creagh, M. Robertson. 2015. (untitled entry: finalist) Tapestry Design Prize for Architects, Exhibited: Australian Tapestry Workshop, Melbourne, June; Stylecraft, Sydney. August.
      • Matthews, L., R. Creagh (exhibition curators) Still Life: Extraordinary, Everyday. Mundaring Arts Centre. 21 August- 27 September 2015.
      • Creagh, R., S. McGann, and Tarbett, M. (2015) 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. Urban Screenings toured nationally: 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. 2014. Unfixed Connections. Curated by Leonie Mathews. Perth Centre for Photography, WA. 4 April -5 May.
      • 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.
      • Creagh, R., S. Cox, T. Kerr, P. Ryder and the Nyoongar Tent Embassy. 2013. I’m Not Going Anywhere. I’m Here All the Time. NAIDOC Week, State Library, WA. 7-14 July. Awarded 2014 Curtin University Faculty of Humanities Award for Creative Work (Minor).
      • Creagh, R. 2012. 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 October.

  • Exhibitions

    • Creagh, R., M. Tye (curators) Contesting Space 1: Women in Sport. John Curtin Gallery. 27 July – 2 September, 2018. Winner: Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) MAGNA Awards, Research Award for projects with a budget of less than $20,000.
    • Matthews, L., R. Creagh (curators) Still Life: Extraordinary, Everyday. Mundaring Arts Centre. 21 August- 27 September 2015.
    • Creagh R. 2014. Unfixed Connections. Curated by Leonie Mathews. Perth Centre for Photography, WA. 4 April -5 May.
    • 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.
    • Creagh, R. 2012. 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 October.

  • Professional affiliations

    Cohen Connect, Management Team. Cohen Connect is a not-for-profit network of built environment professionals seeking to contribute to community-based endeavors focused on supporting disadvantaged members of our professions (both practitioners and students) and advocating for and improving the general understanding of good design.

    Editor The Architect, with Fiona Giles. 2017-2019. The Architect is the official journal of the Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter, chronicling architecture in WA.

  • Community engagement

      Editor The Architect, with Fiona Giles. 2017-2019. The Architect is the official journal of the Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter, chronicling architecture in WA.

      Lead author on two Industry Research Grant Reports, 2014. Funding Partner: HBF ($100,000). Supporting Partners: West Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), Department of Sport and Recreation, Healthway, CERIPH.

      As lead author on the research report, coordinated and monitored the team’s progress against a detailed work plan to ensure timely delivery of the research report to the grant funding body. Liaised with the participant organisation in the field work phase of the project. At the conclusion of the project lead the reporting of research through presentations to the executive of both the participant organisation and the funding organisation.

    • 2019 PlaceAgency symposium WA, invited by the West Australian Local Government Placemakers Network, with the City of Fremantle, Curtin University and the University of Notre Dame Australia. Key Speaker. 11 July.
    • 2019 Business of Small Practice #3. Facilitator. Association of Consulting Architects WA. Fremantle.
    • 2019  Parlour Data at Work report presentation, WA. Facilitator. Association of Consulting Architects, and The University of Notre Dame, Australia. 21 March 2019.
    • 2018 Rating Place: Professional Workshops in Melbourne (8 November) in conjunction with Place Leaders Asia Pacific. Table Facilitator.
    • 2018  Business of Small Practice #2. Facilitator. Association of Consulting Architects. Fremantle.
    • 2018 PlaceAgency symposium Vic, University of Melbourne. Invited Speaker. 7th November.
    • 2018  3 Over 4 Under: On Connection. Invited Speaker. This public talk series is hosted annually by Australian Institute of Architects, WA. State Theatre Centre, 11 October.
    • 2018 The Town Teams Movement, inaugural conference. Invited Speaker. West End Arts Precinct, Perth. September 14.
    • 2018. Design Thinking Masterclass. Invited Facilitator. Department of Local Government, Sport and Creative Industries. 30 August.
    • 2018 Project Development Workshop. Invited Facilitator. For an emerging team of Local Government, Sports Federation executive and researchers. 16 April.
    • 2016 Co-desiging a built environment active recreation audit, ½ day workshop for urban sports community. Developed and Facilitated. 14 November.
    • 2015 CSRR Active Schools Workshop. Developed and Facilitated. For designers, policy makers and educators. 27 November.
    • 2014 Presented executive summary and participant feedback workshops of CSRR Active Workplace Design projects to industry partners WALGA and HBF.

  • Awards

      • 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.

  • Other

    Selected Research reports for Industry

    • Creagh, R., J. Jancey, S. McGann, K. Blackford, R. Pages-Oliver, and M. Tye. 2014. Active Workplace Design - Case Study 1: Pre-post relocation study. (HBF Research Report). Centre for Sport and Recreation Research. Perth.
    • Creagh, R., J. Jancey, S. McGann, K. Blackford, R. Pages-Oliver, and M. Tye. 2014. Active Workplace Design - Case Study 2: A cross sectional campus study. (HBF Research Report). Centre for Sport and Recreation Research. Perth.