Supervisory team: Dr Simon Perry, Associate Professor Denis Collins and Dr Jennifer Clement
Dr Vanessa Strydom has recently completed her PhD in Musicology and Social Science at The University of Queensland (UQ), with her thesis titled Shakespeare’s Merry Wives in Opera: Sexual Politics in Three Early Nineteenth-Century Adaptations of Shakespeare.
Her research offers a fresh perspective on operatic adaptations of The Merry Wives of Windsor, exploring gender representation and its relation to the socio-political landscape of early 19th-century Europe.
Her work highlights how opera reflects and responds to the cultural gender norms of its time.
Reflecting on her time at UQ, Dr Strydom remarked, "The University of Queensland's vibrant academic community, combined with my supervisory team’s insightful mentorship, made my PhD experience both inspiring and transformative."
She adds, "For me, UQ opened the door to academic growth, creative discovery, and professional development."
An accomplished opera singer, Dr Strydom continues to perform across Brisbane, including recent appearances as a soloist with the Queensland Lawchestra and the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra.
She continues to draw upon the critical thinking, research, and analytical skills honed during her time at UQ. "The skills I developed during my PhD have been invaluable in driving innovation and problem-solving throughout my career," she says.
Throughout her PhD, Dr Strydom was deeply involved in UQ’s supportive research community. She said, "Over the course of my PhD, I became a member of this immersive and supportive community of researchers – a community that I am happily still a part of, despite the completion of my postgraduate studies".
Dr Strydom’s academic journey has been defined by a rich array of achievements and performances.
She holds a Bachelor of Music (Opera Performance) with First Class Honours, achieving an impressive GPA of 6.76.
During her studies, she won several notable awards, including the UQ Vocal Prize in 2013, the Vocal Bursary Award at the Brisbane Eisteddfod, and the Bendigo Bank Singing Scholarship.
In 2015, she was the soprano soloist for UQ's Carmina Burana concert, a major event that featured five choirs and the UQ Symphony Orchestra (UQSO).
In 2016, she directed and performed in The Delighted Spirit, a concert of operatic excerpts based on Shakespearean works, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
This event formed part of the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions' concert series.
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr Strydom has actively participated in national and international conferences, presenting her work at the 2019 Musicological Society of Australia Conference.
Her paper was also accepted for the Society for Musicology in Ireland Plenary Conference that same year.
Beyond academia, Dr Strydom is pursuing a Bachelor of Laws and has gained significant experience working in public liability, personal injury, and contract law.
She currently serves as Contracts Manager at UQ's Institute for Social Science Research, where she combines her passion for research and legal expertise.
Dr Strydom’s journey through academia, law, and music exemplifies the breadth of opportunities UQ provides.
As she looks ahead, her contributions to both the academic and cultural landscapes continue to grow.
