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ACU launches new regional arts and humanities hub

Australian Catholic University is reaffirming its commitment to the regional arts and humanities with the launch of a new hub for research and engagement at its Ballarat Campus.

The Centre for Regional Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences will be led by Ballarat-based ACU historian Associate Professor Benjamin Mountford. He said the centre would allow the university to expand its industry research partnerships and bring the local community onto campus.

"We were looking to develop a regional centre for the arts, humanities and social sciences that would serve the local community," he said.

"Ballarat is a city where arts and culture is fundamental to who we are and to our economy.

"We're excited to be able to expand our industry PhD program that gives students the chance to collaborate on research projects with partners like the City of Ballarat, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and Sovereign Hill.

"It's also going to allow us to bring the university's leading experts to the city to offer public workshops and short courses in everything from fashion history to art appreciation and family genealogy."

ACU Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Arts, Professor Mary Ryan said the centre was part of the university's focus on industry-backed research and engagement.

"We are a national university with the resources to establish a world-class research hub that consolidates our strong ties in Ballarat," Professor Ryan said.

"At ACU, we see the value of the arts, humanities and social sciences every day on our campuses, and the communities they are part of.

"We are excited to work with a host of industry partners in Ballarat on exciting research and engagement projects that will add enormous value to the local community."

ACU Dean of Arts Professor Joy Damousi said it was important to ensure students across the country had access to an arts and humanities education.

"No major modern issue can be meaningfully addressed without the arts, humanities and social sciences," she said.

"The insights that these disciplines offer is essential to achieving real progress on our most pressing contemporary issues and they are essential for building vibrant communities."