Associate Professor Paul Williams is a core member of the Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where he explores the power of storytelling to shape identity, memory, and transcultural understanding.

His research investigates identity, memory, cross-cultural and transcultural narratives, post-colonial and post-modern literatures, and creative-writing pedagogy.

Originally from Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK/USA, A/Prof Williams brings a rich global perspective to his scholarship on storytelling, the “self” and the “other.”

He has published extensively across fiction, non-fiction and scholarly work, blending creative output with research.

Key research impact

• Associate Professor Williams is internationally recognised: his memoir Soldier Blue won Book of the Year in South Africa, and The Secret of Old Mukiwa won Best Young Adult Fiction at the International African Book Fair.
• Recent publications include Novel Ideas: Writing Innovative Fiction (2020), Don’t Tell (2021), Writing the Radical Memoir (2023) and Write Now! (2025).
• His research on creative-writing pedagogy, including evaluation of Large Language Models (LLMs) in writing, and studies of narrative and creative craft, has broad reach in higher education and publishing.
• His textbooks and creative works are widely used in schools and universities, translating research into curriculum design and creative practice.

Translation to practice and policy

By combining creative practice, teaching and scholarship, A/Prof Williams delivers pedagogical innovations that enhance student engagement with writing, literacies and diverse narratives. His focus on cross-cultural and decolonial storytelling aligns with UniSC’s mission toward inclusive and transcultural research.

Recognition and significance

With international literary awards, academic output and institutional leadership, his work bridges academic, creative and educational domains. His research advances the ITRC’s vision to foster inclusive, transformative storytelling and amplify diverse voices across cultures.