Envisaging Citizenship: Australian Histories and Global Connections

This project aims to investigate the ways that visual images have defined, contested and advanced ideas of Australian citizenship and rights from European settlement to the present. Responding to the lack of a coherent concept of Australian citizenship, it looks beyond legal definitions to explore historical and cultural understandings of citizenship over time. Through collaboration with museum, media and education sectors, it will provide a forward-looking and accessible history, and utilize the potential of images to broaden contemporary debates about citizenship. Expected outcomes include a better public understanding of the pathways to citizenship, and enhanced engagement with Australian values and identity.