Our Wellington and Manawatū campuses are open, Auckland remains closed at AL3. More information.

Dr Laura McKay staff profile picture

Contact details +6469517492

Dr Laura McKay PhD, MA, PgD

Lecturer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Humanities Media and Creative Comm

Laura Jean McKay is the author of The Animals in That Country (Scribe 2020), shortlisted for the Readings Prize 2020; and Holiday in Cambodia (Black Inc., 2013). Laura has a PhD in Creative Writing with a focus on Literary Animal Studies from The University of Melbourne. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on theories of representation in contemporary literature across the fields of Creative Writing, Cross-Cultural Narratives, Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies, Nature Writing and Literary Animal Studies. 

Professional

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - The University of Melbourne (2018)
  • Master of Arts - The University of Melbourne (2012)
  • Postgraduate - The University of Melbourne (2005)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Literary animal studies, extinction and the representation of nonhuman animals on the page. 

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Creative Writing (incl. Playwriting) (190402): Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies (190404):
Languages, Communication And Culture (200000):
Performing Arts and Creative Writing (190400): Studies In Creative Arts And Writing (190000)

Keywords

Representation, Contemporary Literature, Creative Writing, Cross-Cultural Narratives, Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies, Nature Writing and Literary Animal Studies.

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 0 1

Research Outputs

Journal

McKay, L. (2016). Crossing the threshold: Domestic territory and nonhuman otherness in Colin McAdam’s A Beautiful Truth. Otherness: Essays & Studies. (5.2)
[Journal article]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2012). King. Antithesis.
[Journal article]Authored by: McKay, L.

Book

McKay, LJ.(2020). The Animals in That Country.
[Authored Book]Authored by: McKay, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
McKay, L. (2019). Introduction: Note to the Future. In JM. Coetzee (Ed.) Dusklands.
[Chapter]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, LJ. (2019). Note to the Future. In Dusklands. : Text Publishing
[Chapter]Authored by: McKay, L.Contributed to by: McKay, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
McKay, L. (2018). A ‘very important chimp’: The species binary in Benjamin Hale’s The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore. In S. Midtskogen (Ed.) Antithesis. (pp. 22 - 32). Melbourne: School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne
[Chapter]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, LJ.(2013). Holiday in Cambodia. : Black Inc.
[Authored Book]Authored by: McKay, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Conference

McKay, L.Colonising the Body: Imperial Ownership and Representation in Colin McAdam’s A Beautiful Truth. . Christchurch
[Conference Paper]Authored by: McKay, L.

Other

Tilley, E., Ross, J., McKay, LJ., & Cole, G. (2021, May). Creative Writing as Activism. Presented at Palmerston North City Library. : Massey University School of Humanities, Media & Creative Communication.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: McKay, L., Ross, J., Tilley, E.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
McKay, L. (2020). Autumn of Change: Seven Writers Reflect. : Sydney Morning Herald
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2020). The Novel Coronavirus: On Writing a Pandemic, Then Watching It Play Out. : The Spinoff
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2020). As Coronavirus Keeps Us Apart, We Will Let the Animals in. I Hope We Do Them Justice. : The Guardian Australia
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2020). How to be brave in the face of, you know, everything. : The Spinoff
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.

view more...

McKay, L. (2019). Surface Tension.
[Other]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2019). Val Plumwood Canoe.
[Other]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2019). The Aftermath.
[Other]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2019). Re: Dear Extinction. : Victorian Writer
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2019). The Domestic and the Domestic: Violence in Australian fiction. : The Feminist Writers Festival
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2019). Insects.
[Other]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2018). Dinner party. S. Murray-Smith
[Other]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2018). Cambodia’s Koh Kong Jungle. : The Saturday Paper
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
McKay, L. (2018). The Long Way Home. : The Saturday Paper
[Internet publication]Authored by: McKay, L.
view less...

Teaching and Supervision

Courses Coordinated

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 1 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Athena Knight - Doctor of Philosophy
    Cross Cultural Exchange between Japan and the West

Media and Links

Media

  • 13 Feb 2021 - Radio
    Interview
    RNZ Saturday Morning with Kim Hill

Other Links