Jason O’Leary

Jason's path to public humanities has been shaped by a deep belief in the power of creative storytelling to make the humanities accessible and meaningful. With a Masters degrees in both Producing (Film and Television), and Theatre (Writing) from the Victorian College of the Arts, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Shakespeare from the University of Colorado, Jason has spent his career exploring how the humanities can connect with people beyond the university campus.

Before joining the MPHI, Jason served as Head of Engagement, Partnerships and Marketing for the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. He has previously created engagement programs like Major Hack (with Professor David McInnis) and Le Cambriolage (The Heist) (with Professor Veronique Duche) a touring French language escape room that travelled to high schools across Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW. These projects reinforced Jason's conviction that humanities research doesn't just belong in lecture theatres; it thrives when it meets audiences where they are. In 2025, Jason launched the Wondering Poet program that see’s our Poet Sas Hall travel to High Schools with an immersive and engaging spoken word poetry workshop that is uniquely linked to curriculum.

Jason's recent focus has been on creative approaches to public scholarship. His play Spring's Decline was awarded the Philip Hunter Fellowship and underwent development at the Being Human Festival in 2024.

As Creative Director, Jason is passionate about supporting researchers to translate their work into public-facing projects that spark curiosity and conversation. He's committed to co-creating with academics, communities, artists, and partners to ensure the humanities remain vital, relevant, and transformative in people's lives.

Jason is currently undertaking PhD research in the intersection of historical authenticity and dramatisation in history plays. The research is practice-led, his creative work SUPPLY, is a play about the dismissal of Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr.