Photo of High Tension's Karina Utomo by Paul Tadday Photography
If you're trying to work out what you want to study at uni (or you're thinking about going back), you might want to consider the University of Newcastle, who are currently offering up scholarships to study a PhD in the social geography of heavy metal.
As Kerrang! reports, the campus is offering up three scholarships (two domestic and one international) to study social geographies across different cultures including homelessness, veganism and metal music.
On Anarchist Geography's website, they detail the PhD as focusing on Australian metal in particular, stating:
Heavy Metal is a global phenomenon, representing a major cultural trend for the past four decades. Numerous subgenres exist within the general framework of Heavy Metal, each representing unique subcultures. Many of these subgenres, such as Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal evolved in specific geographical settings, often referred to as ‘scenes’. While unique scenes have evolved across the globe, the bulk of Heavy Metal’s bands have originated within countries in the northern latitudes. Australia is uniquely positioned within this global evolution, owing to its historical connection to the United Kingdom and shared cultural affinities with its colonial originator. While remote from the geographical heart of Heavy Metal culture, Australia has developed its own unique and passionate approach, producing a number of high profile bands.
Some of the areas students will explore include questions like:
- What sorts of lyrical themes have Australian Metal bands adopted? Are these culturally and geographically unique to the continent?
- What is the relationship between the cultural evolution of Heavy Metal in Australia and colonialism?
- Is Heavy Metal in Australia largely a white phenomenon? What has been the response to diversity within the scene?
- How is gender negotiated within the Metal scene in Australia?
- What sort of reputation do Heavy Metal fans have within the Australian context? Does this impact the types of spaces that Heavy Metal fans can utilize?
- How has the geography of Australia in proximity to other scenes contributed to or hindered its cultural uptake?
- What is it about Australian Heavy Metal that makes it distinctive?
If this sounds like something you'd be into, and you already have a minimum Bachelor's Degree with Honours, you can apply over here. Applications close on August 19!
