Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Rachael Gunn is an interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher interested in the cultural politics of breaking. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies (2017) and a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music (2009) from Macquarie University. Her work draws on cultural theory, dance studies, popular music studies, media, and ethnography.
Rachael is a practising breaker and goes by the name of 'Raygun'. She was the AusBreaking top ranked bgirl in 2020 and 2021, and represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in Paris in 2021, in Seoul in 2022, and in Leuven (Belgium) in 2023. She won the Oceania Breaking Championships in 2023.
Rachael is a member of the Macquarie University Performance and Expertise Research Centre.
Teaching:
Rachael has a range of teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across the areas of media, creative industries, music, dance, cultural studies, and work-integrated learning.
Research Interests:
Breaking, street dance, and hip-hop culture; youth cultures/scenes; constructions of the dancing body; politics of gender and gender performance; ethnography; the methodological dynamics between theory and practice.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Spaces for Street Dance - research and feasibility study
Gunn, R. (Primary Chief Investigator), Shaheen, F. (Chief Investigator), Mohamed, A. (Partner Investigator), Tauv, A. (Partner Investigator), Napalan, L. (Partner Investigator), Wardana, J. (Partner Investigator), Peke, S. (Partner Investigator), Reid, K. (Partner Investigator), Cornell, M. (Partner Investigator) & Duong, A. (Partner Investigator)
1/02/23 → 31/10/23
Project: Research
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"In a good way there's no beef, but the bad thing is there's no beef": Tensions and changing cultural politics in Sydney's breaking scene
Gunn, R., 2025, Representing hip hop histories, politics and practices in Australia. Dowsett, S., Marie, L., Rodger, D. & Saunders, G. L. (eds.). London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, p. 191-207 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Rachael "Raygun" Gunn on the new sport that will invigorate the Olympics
Gunn, R., 16 Jul 2024, Economist.Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/Website › Article
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What is breaking? A guide to the new Olympic sport
Gunn, R., 9 Aug 2024, The Conversation. Academic rigour, journalistic flair.Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/Website › Article
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Australia
Saunders, G. L. & Gunn, R., 20 Dec 2023, In: Global Hip Hop Studies. 3, 1-2, p. 23-32 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile232 Downloads (Pure) -
Dance and Protest Special Issue Editorial
Gunn, R., Aprahamian, S., Park, M. & Bell, S., 31 Jul 2023, In: IASPM Journal: journal of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music. 13, 2, p. 1-11 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Open AccessFile929 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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‘Generative Dancing: Glocal Street Dance Cultures in Australia’ - roundtable panellist
Rachael Gunn (Speaker)
19 Apr 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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'Breaking into the Olympics: Opportunities and Drawbacks for Australian Breakers' - Research to Practice Conference
Rachael Gunn (Invited speaker)
19 May 2022 → 21 May 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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'Online Battles and Cyphers in Street Dance and Hip Hop Cultures' - Closing Roundtable of Popular Dance: Pivoting Towards Digital Sociality
Rachael Gunn (Invited speaker)
21 Nov 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Popular Dance: Pivoting Towards Digital Sociality
Benthaus, E. (Organiser), Gunn, R. (Organiser) & Milovanovic, D. (Organiser)
19 Nov 2022 → 20 Nov 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop or event series
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'Breaking and Instagram' - Tiny PoP Moves Salon
Rachael Gunn (Speaker)
25 Feb 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation
Press/Media
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Triple J Hack interview on the challenges facing Aussie breakers to qualify for the Olympics
30/05/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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ABC Sport interview on challenges facing Aussie breakers qualifying for the Olympics
30/05/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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ABC News interview on challenges facing Aussie breakers qualifying for the Olympics
30/05/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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'Off the Podium' interview on my breaking research and creative practice
6/04/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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2SER interview on 'Spaces for Street Dance' Research Grant
21/02/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research