You might know a ton about heavy metal, but you don't have a doctoral degree in the subject. Nobody does, at least for the moment. The University of Newcastle in Australia is looking to change that.
According to a report published by Kerrang!, The University of Newcastle is looking to give an annual scholarship of AUS$27,596 to two domestic students and one international student for a wide variety of subjects that includes Heavy Metal Geographies. The group running the program, Anarchist Geographies, notes applicants must have a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) and a Master's in either Geography or a related field like Sociology, International Studies, Media Studies, or Political Science. Anarchist Geographies points out the focus of the degree is "up to the student to propose, where the location and details can change (i.e., you could study Death Metal in Finland, as opposed to Heavy Metal in Australia, or veganism from a perspective other than political ecology etc.)."
Here's the full description of the metal path.
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.
· 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?
