Inspires confidence and independent thinking.
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Professor Rachel Landers serves as Professor and Head of Media Arts & Production, Animation Production, and Music and Sound Design within the School of Communication, Faculty of Design and Society at the University of Technology Sydney. She holds a PhD in History from the University of Sydney and a Postgraduate Directing Diploma from the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Renowned as a documentary filmmaker and writer, Landers has directed award-winning films screened internationally, including Whiteys Like Us (1999), which won Best Documentary at the UN Media Peace Prize, A Northern Town (2008), and The Snowman (2009). Her documentaries have received two wins and three nominations at the Australian Film Institute Awards, as well as a nomination at the Melbourne International Film Festival. In 2018, she was appointed to her professorial role and leadership positions at UTS, overseeing programs in screen arts, production, animation, and sound design. Under her leadership, UTS became an ARRI Certified Film School in 2026.
Landers is the author of Hybrid Documentary and Beyond, published by Routledge in 2024, which explores innovative approaches to documentary filmmaking. Her research interests center on creative practice, hybrid documentaries, and using storytelling to engage audiences, particularly in science communication. She leads an Australian Research Council-funded project, Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists through Creative Storytelling, targeting primary school students aged 10-12 with animations to counter STEM stereotypes and promote diverse career pathways. In 2025, her interdisciplinary team, including A/Prof Louise Cole and Dr Amy Bottomley, won first prize in the UTS Research Translation Competition for the Wonder project, developing transformative science stories in collaboration with scientists. Landers is a member of the Australian Centre for Public History and contributes to academic and professional communities through workshops on hybrid documentaries, grant writing, and screenwriting research. She has presented at international conferences, such as the Screenwriting Research Network Conference, and supports research development initiatives at UTS RES Hub. Her career bridges historical scholarship, filmmaking, and media education, enhancing creative practice and research impact in the field.
Discover how Professor Rachel Landers' ARC-funded project at UTS employs creative storytelling to challenge gender stereotypes and inspire primary students into STEM careers across Australian universities.
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