Research Highlights (Most recent first)

Hip-Hop Histories and Futures / The Calling: In 2022 she started a new project exploring the histories of Hip-Hop in Australia. This project included research for a book in the 33 1/3 Oceania series about the Hilltop Hoods album, The Calling (2003). The ebook is now available from Bloomsbury Press.

She is continuing to conduct interviews with Hip-Hop practitioners about their memories of Hip-Hop / experiences in the Hip-Hop subculture or scene overtime. If you are interested in participating in this research please email for more information. 

WOMADelaide x Northern Sound System Artist Academy Evaluation (2021 - 2022): In 2022, she completed an evaluation of the WOMADelaide x NSS Artist Academy with Dr. Johnny Karanicolas. The Academy is a training & development program for emerging SA First Nations and multicultural artists, developed by WOMADelaide in collaboration with the City of Playford’s Northern Sound System. The evaluation of the Academy included participant observation at Academy events and interviews with artists and staff. This material and other project documents were analysed to produce a practical report for NSS that explored the benefits of the program, core factors that contributed to program success, and, program challenges / future recommendations. In particular, the report included tools to assist NSS in defining and measuring 'artistic growth' and encouraging artists to set 'SMART' goals. 

• If you are interested in viewing the report please contact me via email. 

Hip-Hop Workshops for First Nations Youth: In 2018 she received funding from the Mountford Award with Dr. Margaret Becker to examine Hip-Hop workshops that seek to engage First Nations young people. This pilot project was a small-scale qualitative research project exploring the design and delivery of Hip-Hop workshops for Indigenous youth in greater Adelaide. A core aim was to produce practical guidelines to support effective Hip-Hop focused workshops for Indigenous youth. 

• A full project report can be accessed here: [CLICK LINK]
• A two page summary paper can be accessed here: [CLICK LINK]

Health-e Baby: From 2012-2014 she was the Senior Research Fellow on the ‘Health-e Baby’ project (ARC Linkage grant) which explored the health communication and media preferences of pregnant women and led to the production and evaluation of a tailored pregnancy smartphone application. Further information about the Health-e Baby project can be found on the project website (click here).

Communication for Development: In 2011 she worked as a Research Assistant on a joint project with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), the Department for International Development (DFID), 3ie & AusAID. This project resulted in the publication of a Systematic Review exploring the factors that facilitate and constrain C4D (communication for development) interventions in fragile states.

PhD Research: (2006 - 2012)

Dianne completed her PhD on Hip Hop culture in Australia in 2012. Her PhD thesis titled ‘Living Hip Hop: Defining Authenticity in the Adelaide and Melbourne Hip Hop Scenes’ can be accessed through the UoA library catalogue (click here). Her thesis makes a significant contribution to the study of Hip Hop culture outside of the United States of America and reflects her specialisation in the areas of youth culture and subcultural research.