Debra Dudek

Associate Professor Debra Dudek is a faculty member in the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University, specializing in contemporary literature, film, and television for young people. She coordinates the English Major and holds academic leadership roles, including Secretary of the International Research Society for Children's Literature. Her research focuses on social justice in children’s literature, ethics of representation, and media adaptations.

Professional Roles:

• Coordinator of the English Major
• Secretary, International Research Society for Children's Literature (2019–2023)
• Member, Australasian Children's Literature Association for Research

Research Interests:

• Monsters in literature and media
• Graphic novels and picture books
• Adolescent sexuality and media consumption
• Ethics in storytelling for youth

Awards:

• Best Debut Author in The Conversation (2021)

Grants & Projects:

• Teen-informed strategies to counter sexual image abuse ($496k, ARC, 2025–2027)
• A comparative investigation into adolescents’ perceptions of online sexual content ($475k, ARC, 2019–2025)

Advising: Supervises PhD students in areas like borderland narratives, sexuality studies, and children’s literature. Completed supervision includes studies on dystopian literature, Indigenous diaspora, and media’s portrayal of sexuality.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with interdisciplinary research on youth media consumption, cultural citizenship, and ethical storytelling.