A WORKSHOP ON “CONSUMER AUSTRALIA: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE”

Friday 4 February 2006
Monash University

Consumption has assumed an increasingly important role in the daily lives of all Australians. Rather than being an activity that serves to make life easier, consumption has progressively become a way of life for millions of Australians. The ensuing culture of consumption has not only affected the way Australians live, it has also had a marked impact on the ways in which they have identified themselves – both as individuals and as citizens of the nation.

The “Consumer Australia” workshop will explore the growth and development of the culture of consumption in Australia by bringing together scholars from various disciplines. Papers are sought from scholars working in any of the following areas of study:

• Advertising
• Cars
• Consumer Patterns
• Consumerism
• Food / Drink
• Housing
• Literature
• Marketing
• Media
• Popular Culture
• Sport

By bringing together scholars with diverse backgrounds and specialisations, it is hoped that the workshop will stimulate the production of vibrant papers that are characterised by their interdisciplinary approach to consumption in Australia.

It is anticipated that a peer-refereed publication will be produced from the workshop presentations.