Below is a selection of feedback about my work across a range of areas: online engagement, creative development, leadership and project management.
Most of the recommendations relate to my work in sustainability program delivery and with Indigenous organisations.
If you have any questions after you have read these testimonials or would like to submit one of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Media Arts
For some 20 years Tracey has been a pioneer in the development of arts projects that experiment
with new media to produce work that is of social, environmental and political significance. A
generous contributor to the Canberra arts community Tracey coordinated dorkbot at CCAS bringing
together artists from all over the world to discuss issues around the current impact of technological progress with local artists. She has introduced many important innovators to the community and with the appropriate support this can continue through her current endeavours. Her networks throughout Australia and New Zealand have benefited form Tracey’s enthusiasm and determination to produce work in exhibitions and publications that have long term influence on both individual and group practices. 2018, David Broker, Director Canberra Contemporary Art Space
Tracey Benson presented the second stage of her Words for Water project in a solo exhibition in the PhotoAccess Huw Davies Multimedia Gallery in October 2014. This fascinating, interactive, intelligent and accessible exhibition was well received by visitors and comprised video, photography and augmented reality. Tracey is an outstanding cross-media artist and researcher who successfully uses the internet, photography and video to create virtual and augmented reality works, to explore communities, identity and place.
2016, Janice Falstone, Director, PhotoAccess
Project Management
Dr Tracey Benson undertook a 6 week secondment to Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation through the Jawun Initiative. Her role, while she was here, was to establish a social media profile and commence the ground work for the implementation of an Intranet for the organisation.
Two huge undertakings in a very short time. To her credit she accomplished both in a timely and efficient manner.
The social media profile is professional and informative. Tracey was also able to put into place parameters that ensured the security of the YYNAC profile remained within our own control and not potentially exposed to high-jacking by external parties. Her true gift is her ability to listen to what we wanted to achieve and translated that into a real and highly valued product. Her skill in establishing the ground work for the Intranet has become a benchmark for the Secondee who implemented the recommendations that Tracey made. The establishment of the YYNAC Intranet was a seamless exercise in efficiency because of the work undertaken by Tracey.
As an organisation we have no hesitation to highly recommend Dr Tracey Benson. Damian Bulled-Morgan, Acting CEO
Here is a case study from the Jawun website about the projects.
Online engagement
I have worked with Tracey directly and indirectly for many years. She has a very broad range of knowledge and experience in the online space. Her experience and understanding of online engagement and information management is extensive. She has very strong skills in developing and supporting networks of people who work in the same or related areas. This is a great asset for any team and with this focus she helps our current multi-disciplined team keep well informed about developments that affect our work. Andrew Meers, LivingGreener (2012)
I’ve previously worked across projects with Tracey and am now pleased to have her as my direct manager. Tracey brings with her a broad and comprehensive range of skills in technical fields, stakeholder management and online communications. She is also fun to work with and easily shares her skills and knowledge with myself and others. Along with the rest of the team, I would highly recommend Tracey for communications, online engagement and community engagement projects. Julie Hodgkinson, Online communications (2011)
In my role as a Public Affairs Officer, Tracey has provided invaluable support and advice on a range of new media concepts that the department is interested in undertaking. Her strategic advice in balancing the needs of the government and our target audiences has helped me make the right decision on more than one occasion. Kate Thomas, Communication Account Manager at Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2009)
Leadership
I worked under Tracey’s leadership on the LivingGreener.gov.au website in 2012. Apart from her achievements in ensuring the success of the website on its own merits, Tracey played an active role in the cross-promotion of the website on existing and emerging social media channels. One of her key ideas was the LivingGreener YouTube channel. This also became an excellent use of staff expertise, in the face of departmental restructuring which caused a halt on new written content for the website. My daily focus was changed from writing for the website, to planning, producing and publishing a series of interview-based videos to be published on a future LivingGreener YouTube channel. These were based on the “real stories” the website received from members of the Australian public, who took the time to write about the energy efficiency measures they were taking in their own lives. We made more than ten videos and I was very pleased to see them rolled out by the LivingGreener team in 2013. These became examples for my subsequent role at the Melbourne School of Land and Environment at The University of Melbourne. John Barrington, Digital Communications Officer, MSLE UoM
I’ve always found Tracey an excellent person to work with in various roles over the years. Tracey is generally enthusiastic, thinks creatively, understands people, and overall is a very good manager. Jon Millard, Environmental Information and Technology Professional (2009)
Arts management and collaboration
Media artist Tracey Benson has plotted the waypoints for her Long Time, No See? augmented reality initaitive. Way to go, Tracey! (Literally) Looks like an excellent and stimulating adventure … Hope all who participate in the walking in Kochi with Tracey enjoy the experience. From a personal perspective, it’s always interesting to see how artists engage with this project – we’ve always been keen for it to be treated as a platform for creative engagement with sustainability and infrastructure for new stories. So many thanks and congratulations to Tracey for this work which has provided an insight to her experiences of place, culture and community in Kochi, where the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is underway. Importantly, Tracey’s work is also highly interpretive and she has used the wayfinding as a way of thinking about, critiquing and articulating what sustainability means to her. Thanking you for such a beautiful pathway – we only wish we could walk it with you!
Linda Carroli about creative intervention to LTNS? in Kochi, December 2014
It was delight to work with someone so organized in terms of managing the Dorkbot group of artists exhibition, installation and information at Electrofringe. Tracey put 110% into this project and I’d highly recommend as a facilitator and event manager. Melinda Rackham (2009)
I’ve worked with Tracey on many projects over many years. When she was artist in residence at Metro Arts, she demonstrated her critical and generous creativity, often collaborating with other resident artists and groups. Since then, we’ve continued to share ideas and experiences in the arts, particularly emerging artforms from science and technology engagements. She never ceases to amaze with her restless thinking. Linda Carroli, Creative Sustainability :: People, Place, Product, Potential, Partnership + Pollinating (2008)
