Cathy Hope

Engagement and Impact Director; Coordinator of the Play, Creativity and Wellbeing Project; and the Founder of Play Activation Network ACT in the Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra

Associate Professor Cathy Hope is Engagement and Impact Director and Coordinator of the Play, Creativity and Wellbeing Project in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra. Cathy’s research informs and supports the local creative industries and uses creative-led approaches to improve place and wellbeing outcomes in partnership with government, industry and community. Cathy led the 2019 national award-winning Haig Park Experiments with a cross-sector consortium, which transformed the once unsafe and unused Canberra green space into a loved community hub. Cathy also founded Play Activation Network ACT – an interdisciplinary and collaborative collective of over 80 local professionals who are passionate about a more vibrant and playable Canberra. In 2021 Cathy won the UC Citizen of the Year Award for her significant contributions to the ACT.