Amy Clarke

Biography

Dr Amy Clarke is a Senior Lecturer in History and the Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching) for the School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She specialises in the history and heritage of material culture, ranging from giant roadside landmarks to themed environments, living history museums, and architectural identity politics. She has a keen interest in academic governance and policy, particularly in the Learning & Teaching space.

Amy is a global expert on Big Things and roadside attractions. She was awarded a Duke University Fellowship (2018-19) for this work, and more recently served as the academic advisor on the State Library of Queensland’s curatorial team for the ‘Big Things of Queensland’ 2026-2027 exhibition. Her research on Big Things has been featured in international media including the New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian (UK and Australia), Globe and Mail (Canada), and Singapore Straits Times.

Amy’s other research is focused upon Scotland. She completed a Master of Sciences in Architecture at the University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh College of Art in 2009 while working with the National Trust for Scotland’s Policy team. Her PhD, conferred in 2015 by the University of Queensland, investigated the politicisation of Scottish heritage in the lead-up to the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum. As a result of this research Amy was an early contributor to the ‘heritage diplomacy’ discourse, and she continues to investigate Scotland’s nation branding and para-diplomatic agendas.

In addition to her Masters and PhD, Amy has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from the University of Queensland (2007), and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education from Curtin University (2016). She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries Scotland, and a Full International Member of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites). 

Professional memberships

• International Member, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
• Member, Australian Historical Association (AHA)
• Elected Fellow, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
• Member, Society of Architectural Historians of Australia and New Zealand (SAHANZ)
• Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)

Potential research projects for HDR and honours students

• Cultural and 'soft power' diplomacy: History and contemporary practice
• Local, Queensland and Australian heritage policies, practices and debates
• Living history and open-air museums
• Material culture (souvenirs, public art, roadside advertising, etc.)
• Themed spaces and environments (theme parks, zoos, aquariums, restaurants and retail spaces, casinos, etc.)

Teaching areas

• Cultural Heritage
• Urban History
• Nationalism and Political History

Expert media commentary

Dr Amy Clarke’s specialist areas of knowledge include:

• The history of material culture (architecture, public art, souvenirs, etc.);
• The history of tourism, including roadside landmarks and Big Things;
• Global and Australian heritage policy and theory, including heritage diplomacy;
• Australian and British architectural history; and
• The history and theory of nationalism and national identity, particularly in Australian and Scottish contexts.