Ainslie Murray

Associate Professor Ainslie Murray is an interdisciplinary artist and academic at UNSW Sydney within the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture. Trained in Architecture at the University of Adelaide (1993-1998) and holding a PhD in Visual Arts from the University of Sydney (2011), her work bridges architecture, visual arts, and environmental practice through walking, site-specific installations, and explorations of immaterial spatial forces.

Research Interests: Ainslie investigates essentiality and minimalism in architectural space, focusing on ephemeral, immaterial, and participatory forms. Her practice includes immersive installations, films, textiles, and performative works, often emphasizing ecological themes like air quality, dust, and climate adaptation. Recent projects, such as the Registry of Itinerant Architectures and A.W.E. Collective collaborations, expand architecture's disciplinary boundaries via landscape and mobile practices.

Scientific Awards: Notable accolades include the 2022 National Research Award (AILA), 2022 Red Dot Design Award, and 2007 Beth Winspear Scholarship. She has been shortlisted for international events like the Venice Architecture Biennale (2017) and received grants for projects such as Breathing Buildings (2017).

Teaching & Supervision: At UNSW, she leads architectural design studios informed by walking practice and supervises PhD candidates in areas like Environmental Art, Nomadic Architecture, and Landscape Anthropocene. Her supervision emphasizes practice-based research across art, architecture, and spatial practices.