Dr. Sarah Barns in Sydney, Australia in 2023.
Hello there, nice to meet you.
I’m a multi-disciplinary strategist, scholar and storyteller working with diverse communities & place custodians to expand and deepen connections between people, place and habitat.
Operating broadly to connect placemaking practices with digital innovation methods, work is multi-disciplinary and highly responsive to our rapidly-changing world.
I’ve been creating historical storytelling and curatorial programs for diverse places and communities for over two decades. This reflects my fascination with how places transform over time, and the qualities that draw people in to care for them as kin. I’m also passionate about the value of Indigenous and First Nations knowledge in shaping how we connect stories to place.
Professionally I’ve also led a number of digital transformation programs with governments at all levels, to support data frameworks underpinned by ideas of civic and public value.
You can explore these different facets of my work here at this site, or feel free to get in touch to explore collaboration ideas.
Wisdom that guides my way
“There is no logic that can be super-imposed upon the city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans. We expect too much of buildings, and too little of ourselves.” — Jane Jacobs
“There are places in the world where rules are less important than kindness.” — Carlo Ravelli
Where you find me
Senior Research Fellow, RMIT University Design and Social Context (2023 onwards)
Founder and Creative Adviser, Esem Projects (2012 onwards)
Founder & Strategic Lead: STORYBOX (2020 onwards)
Previously
Senior Strategy & Policy roles at CSIRO/Data 61, Urban Growth NSW & Landcom, the ABC, the ACMA, and the Australia Council for the Arts and the National Office for the Information Economy.
Independent Consultant, Sitelines Media (2008 onwards)
MORE ABOUT ME
I’ve always loved learning about diverse places, and using storytelling and technology tools to bring them to life.
My career trajectory has moved from national telecommunications and media policy, to R&D and innovation strategy, arts and cultural policy, and place-based interpretation, storytelling and strategy.
Some people switch careers, but mine has evolved and expanded over time.
I’ve worked across all levels of government, and in private sector consulting. I’ve become more creative and multi-disciplinary over time, developing sensory and creative storytelling practices with many wonderful collaborators and communities. I do this work in partnership with my creative partner, designer and creative director Michael Killalea, through a practice I founded in 2012 called Esem Projects. I founded STORYBOX Places in 2020 as a digital storytelling platform for communities, and have delivered independent consulting initiatives through my practice Sitelines Media since 2008.
Academically, my PhD was in urban history (2010) and my post-doctoral research based in urban and digital geography (2013-2017). Research and consulting experience has helped shape a set of methodological approaches and insights around ‘platform urbanism’, exploring the impact of digital platform ecosystems on urban life & experience through a historical and socio-cultural lens.
My book, Platform Urbanism: Negotiating Platform Ecosystems in Connected Cities was published in late 2019 by Palgrave, and is a key text exploring the influence of digital platform strategy on urban policy & governance. I’m particularly interested in how AI and digital platforms are shaping how we know and understand our natural world.
In an era of climate emergency, my focus is increasingly on practices of regenerative placemaking, which I am exploring through an RMIT-based research fellowship which is focused around key sites of urban transformation where ecological regeneration & creative partnerships are prioritised in the creation of place value and identity.
Clients & Collaborators
Australian Museum
CSIRO / Data 61
HASSELL
Dhun Jaipur (MRS Group)
MIXD Urban Design
Sydney Airport Corporation
Arup
Urban Growth NSW
Landcom
City of Sydney
City of Parramatta
Liverpool City Council
ABC
National Film and Sound Archive
Arts Centre of Christchurch
Arts SA
Sydney Living Museums
+ more