Kim Kemmis

Kim Kemmis is a Research Affiliate in the discipline of History at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on the social history of opera in Australia and the history of sexuality, particularly examining touring opera companies in the early 20th century and the development of bisexual activism in the 1970s-80s. He holds degrees including a PhD from the University of Sydney, an MA from Macquarie University, and a BTh SCD.

His work explores how opera shaped national and personal identity, including studies of Frank Rigo’s Australian-identified opera company and Count Ercole Filippini’s efforts to promote opera in regional Australia. He is also investigating the legacy of bisexual critic Colin MacInnes and planning an oral history project on Australian bisexual communities.

Publications include articles in the Journal of Australian Studies and entries in The Dictionary of Sydney. Media contributions include a blog on PhD research with Autism Spectrum Disorder and biographical essays on historical figures.