Rachael Gunn

Rachael Gunn is a Lecturer in the School of Communication, Society and Culture at Macquarie University, specializing in interdisciplinary research on breaking (breakdancing) and hip-hop culture. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies (2017) and a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music (2009), both from Macquarie University. A practising breaker under the name 'Raygun,' she has competed internationally, including representing Australia at World Breaking Championships (2021–2023) and winning the 2023 Oceania Breaking Championships. She is affiliated with Macquarie University's Performance and Expertise Research Centre.

Education:

• PhD in Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2017)
• BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music, Macquarie University (2009)

Research Interests: Breaking, street dance, and hip-hop culture; youth cultures; gender performance; ethnography; and methodological dynamics between theory and practice. Her work examines cultural politics, visibility, and the intersection of sportification with breaking's subcultural identity.

Articles Overview: Her recent publications analyze tensions in Sydney's breaking scene, the political implications of breaking's Olympic inclusion, and hip-hop's diasporic dimensions. She co-edits special issues on dance and protest, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to cultural studies.

Grants & Projects:

• "Spaces for Street Dance - research and feasibility study" (2023)

Labs/Teams: Member of Macquarie University's Performance and Expertise Research Centre, collaborating on global street dance research and advocacy initiatives.

Media Engagement: Regularly consulted by ABC News, ABC Sport, Triple J Hack, and others on breaking's cultural and Olympic challenges.