Professor Kim Wilkins
Centre Director of Research Centre in Creative Arts and Human Flourishing & Affiliate of Research Centre in Creative Arts and Human Flourishing
Research Centre in Creative Arts and Human Flourishing
Professor and Associate Dean (Academic/Research/External Engagement/Other)
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Affiliate of Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Researcher biography
Kim Wilkins is a humanities researcher and acclaimed creative writer who specialises in the intersection of creativity, technology, and cultural industries. Currently Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UQ, she leads innovative research into the socio-material dimensions of creative industries and the application of creative thinking to complex technological challenges.
Her research portfolio spans popular fiction studies, publishing ecosystems, and technology foresight. Recent projects include pioneering work on speculative fiction storytelling for defence innovation, community publishing in regional Australia, and the application of "story thinking" to anticipate technological impacts. She serves as a member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts.
As a creative practitioner, Wilkins has published 30+ novels in 20+ languages, including bestselling historical fiction and fantasy series. Her dual expertise as both researcher and professional writer uniquely positions her to bridge academic inquiry with industry practice, particularly in areas of creativity research, reading and book culture, the future of publishing, and transdisciplinary innovation.
Publications
Books
Marshall, Helen, Wilkins, Kim and Bennett, Lisa (2025). Story thinking and the real-world applications of sci-fi and fantasy writing. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc..
Marshall, Helen, Wilkins, Kim, Bennett, Lisa, Anderton, Joanne and Ivanova, Ksenia (2023). Project Ursula speculative fiction techniques for technology foresight: facilitator handbook. Brisbane, QLD Australia: What If Lab; The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/c6a0989
Wilkins, Kim, Driscoll, Beth and Fletcher, Lisa (2022). Genre worlds: popular fiction and twenty-first-century book culture. Amherst, MA United States: University of Massachusetts Press.
Wilkins, Kim (2021). Headstrong girl: how to live a writer's life. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Brain Jar Press.
Wilkins, Kim and Bennett, Lisa (2021). Writing bestsellers: love, money, and creative practice. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108663724
Wilkins, Kim (2019). Young adult fantasy fiction: conventions, originality, reproducibility. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108551137
Wilkins, Kim (2019). Queens of the sea. Sydney, Australia: HarperCollins.
Wilkins, Kim (2017). Odin's girl. Hornsea, United Kingdom: PS Publishing.
Forsyth, Kate and Wilkins, Kim (2017). The silver well. Perth, Australia: Ticonderoga Publications.
Freeman, Kimberley (2017). Stars across the ocean. Sydney, Australia: Hachette Australia.
Wilkins, Kim (2016). Sisters of the fire. Sydney, Australia: Harlequin Mira.
Freeman, Kimberley (2014). The engagement party. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hachette Livre Australia.
Freeman, Kimberley (2014). Evergreen Falls. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hachette Australia.
Wilkins, Kim (2014). Daughters of the storm. Sydney, Australia: Harlequin Mira.
Wilkins, Kim (2013). The year of ancient ghosts: stories. Melbourne, VIC Australia: Ticonderoga Publications.
Freeman, Kimberley (2013). Ember island. Sydney, QLD, Australia: Hachette Livre Australia.
Freeman, Kimberley (Kim Wilkins) (2012). Lighthouse Bay. Sydney, Australia: Hachette Australia.
Freeman, Kimberley (2011). Wildflower hill. Kindle Edition ed. Montreal, Canada: Touchstone Publishing.
Freeman, Kimberley (2010). Wildflower hill. Sydney, Australia: Hachette Australia.
Wilkins, Kim (2008). The pearl hunters. Malvern, SA: Omnibus Scholastic.
Wilkins (Freeman, Kimberley), Kim (2008). Gold dust. Sydney: Hachette Livre Australia.
Wilkins (Kimberly Freeman), Kim (2007). Duet. Sydney, Australia: Hachette Livre Australia.
Wilkins, K. (2006). The star queen. Lisarow, NSW, Australia: Omnibus/Scholastic.
Wilkins, K. (2006). Ghost ship. Lisarow, NSW, Australia: Omnibus/Scholastic.
Wilkins, Kim (2006). Nightshade: A Gina Champion mystery. Camberwell, VIC, Australia: Mystery Penguin Australia.
Wilkins, K. (2006). Sorcerer of the waves. Lisarow, NSW, Australia: Omnibus/Scholastic.
Wilkins, K. (2006). Tide stealers. Lisarow, NSW, Australia: Omnibus/Scholastic.
Wilkins, Kim (2005). Witchsong: A Gina Champion mystery. Camberwell, VIC, Australia: Penguin Australia.
Wilkins, Kim (2005). Rosa and the veil of gold. Sydney, Australia; London, United Kingdom: HarperCollins Australia; Victor Gollancz UK.
Wilkins, K. and Bosch, S. (2004). Space boogers. Sydney, Australia: Hodder Hotshots/Mark Macleod.
Wilkins, Kim (2004). Giants of the frost. Sydney, Australia; London, United Kingdom; New York, United States: HarperCollins Australia; Victor Gollancz UK; Warner Aspect US.
Wilkins, Kim (2003). The autumn castle. Pymble, NSW, Australia: HarperCollins.
Wilkins, K. (2003). Moonstorm: A Gina Champion mystery. Pymble, NSW, Australia: HarperCollins.
Wilkins, K. (2002). Fireheart: a Gina Champion mystery. Pymble, NSW, Australia: HarperCollins.
Wilkins, K. (2001). Bloodlace : a Gina Champion mystery. Pymble, NSW, Australia: HarperCollins.
Book Chapters
Wilkins, Kim (2024). Three new myths for inspiration. The scholarship of creative writing practice: beyond craft, pedagogy, and the academy. (pp. 9-22) edited by Marshall Moore and Sam Meekings. London, United Kingdom: Bloomsbury. doi: 10.5040/9781350291027.ch-001
Driscoll, Beth and Wilkins, Kim (2023). Australian fantasy, crime and romance fiction in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Cambridge History of the Australian Novel. (pp. 540-556) edited by David Carter. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781009090049.033
Wilkins, Kim (2023). Genesis. The Frankfurt Kabuff Critical Edition. (pp. 97-101) edited by Beth Driscoll and Claire Squires. Waterloo, ON Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Wilkins, Kim, Marshall, Helen and Tulic, Marina (2022). Emerging writers/established publishers: a ten-year study of the Hachette Manuscript Development Program. Creative writing scholars on the publishing trade: Practice, Praxis, Print. (pp. 19-32) edited by Sam Meekings and Marshall Moore. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003041559-2
Wilkins, Kim (2016). In Hornhead Wood. Dreaming in the Dark. edited by Jack Dann. Hornsea, United Kingdom: PostScript.
Driscoll, Beth, Fletcher, Lisa and Wilkins, Kim (2016). Women, Akubras and ereaders: romance fiction and Australian publishing. The return of print? Contemporary Australian publishing. (pp. 67-87) edited by Aaron Mannion and Emmett Stinson. Melbourne: Monash University Publishing.
Wilkins, Kim (2016). From Middle Earth to Westeros: medievalism, proliferation and paratextuality. New directions in popular fiction genre, distribution, reproduction. (pp. 201-221) edited by Ken Gelder. London, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1057/978-1-137-52346-4_10
Wilkins, Kim (2016). Pagan places: contemporary paganism, British fantasy fiction, and the case of Ryhope Wood. Popular fiction and spatiality reading genre settings. (pp. 109-123) edited by Lisa Fletcher. New York, NY, United States: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1057/978-1-137-56902-8_8
Wilkins, Kim (2014). "Awesome Cleavage": the genred body in World of Warcraft. Digital gaming re-imagines the Middle Ages. (pp. 119-130) edited by Daniel T. Kline. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203097236-19
Wilkins, Kim (2012). Genre and speculative fiction. The Cambridge companion to creative writing. (pp. 37-51) edited by David Morley and Philip Neilsen. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CCOL9780521768498.005
Wilkins, Kim (2010). Crown of Rowan: A Tale of Thyrsland. Legends of Australian Fantasy. (pp. 158-204) edited by Jack Dann and Jonathan Strahan. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Harper Collins.
Wilkins, Kim (2010). Bell, book and battleaxe: Australian popular medievalism. Australian Popular Medievalism. (pp. 1-20) St Lucia, Qld, Australia: AustLit.
Wilkins (Kimberley Freeman), Kim (2008). The Forest. Dreaming Again: Thirty-five new stories celebrating the wild side of Australian fiction. (pp. 125-141) edited by Jack Dann. Pymble, NSW, Australia: HarperCollins.
Journal Articles
Wilkins, Kim, Ivanova, Ksenia, Marshall, Helen, Bennett, Lisa and Anderton, Joanne (2024). Stories and systems: exploring technological impact in complex systems through creative writing techniques. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 209 123800, 123800. doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123800
Marshall, Helen, Wilkins, Kim, Bennett, Lisa, Ivanova, Ksenia and Anderton, Joanne (2023). Support, Structure and Speed: Key Concepts for the Digital Delivery of Creative Foresight Workshops. Journal of Futures Studies.
Wilkins, Kim, Bennett, Lisa and Marshall, Helen (2023). Calibrating possibility. Possibility Studies & Society, 1 (1-2), 275386992311664-235. doi: 10.1177/27538699231166486
Marshall, Helen, Wilkins, Kim and Bennett, Lisa (2023). Story thinking for technology foresight. Futures, 146 103098, 103098. doi: 10.1016/j.futures.2023.103098
Wilkins, Kim and Marshall, Helen (2020). What can we learn about research narratives from professional storytellers?. The STEAM Journal, 4 (2) 11, 1-4. doi: 10.5642/steam.20200402.11
Wilkins, Kim (2019). Do the hustle: writing in a post-digital publishing world. Sydney Review of Books.
Bennett, Lisa and Wilkins, Kim (2019). Viking tattoos of Instagram: Runes and contemporary identities. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 26 (5-6), 135485651987241-1314. doi: 10.1177/1354856519872413
Wilkins, Kim (2019). Horns: vikings, adaptation, evolution. Studies in Medievalism, 28.
Bennett, Lisa and Wilkins, Kim (2019). "Strange Companies": the Northman in popular historical fiction. Journal of Historical Fictions, 2 (1), 1-17.
Fletcher, Lisa, Driscoll, Beth and Wilkins, Kim (2018). Genre worlds and popular fiction: the case of twenty-first-century Australian romance. Journal of Popular Culture, 51 (4), 997-1015. doi: 10.1111/jpcu.12706
Driscoll, Beth, Fletcher, Lisa, Wilkins, Kim and Carter, David (2018). The publishing ecosystems of contemporary australian genre fiction. Creative Industries Journal, 11 (2), 203-221. doi: 10.1080/17510694.2018.1480851
Wilkins, Kim (2017). 'A crowd at your back': fantasy fandom and small press. Media International Australia Incorporating Culture and Policy: Quarterly Journal of Media Research and Resources, 170 (1), 1329878X1774352-125. doi: 10.1177/1329878X17743524
Wilkins, Kim (2017). Writing time: Coleridge, creativity, and commerce. Text, 41
Wilkins, Kim (2016). “Ravished by Vikings”: the pre-modern and the paranormal in Viking romance fiction. Journal of Popular Romance Studies, 5 (2), 1-13.
Wilkins, Kim (2014). Writing resilience in the digital age. New Writing, 11 (1), 67-76. doi: 10.1080/14790726.2013.870579
Wilkins, Kim (2014). Valhallolz: medievalist humor on the internet. Postmedieval, 5 (2), 199-214. doi: 10.1057/pmed.2014.14
Wilkins, Kim (2011). "Cutting off the head of the king": sovereignty, feudalism, fantasy. Australian Literary Studies, 26 (3-4), 136-149.
Wilkins, Kim (2009). 'Goodly tales': Creative writing in the literary studies classroom. English in Australia, 44 (1), 25-32.
Wilkins, Kim (2008). Popular genres and the Australian literary community: The case of fantasy fiction. Journal of Australian Studies, 32 (2), 265-278. doi: 10.1080/14443050802056771
Wilkins, Kim (2005). The process of genre: Authors, readers, institutions. Text, 9 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.52086/001c.31906
Conference Paper
Wilkins, Kim (2012). 'Words of art': magic and language in early modern England. The British World: Religion, Memory, Society, Culture, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia, 2-5 July 2012. Toowoomba, Qld, Australia: University of Southern Queensland.
Research Reports
Anderton, Joanne, Marshall, Helen and Wilkins, Kim (2023). What IF Consortium reports: envision, engage, empathise, inhabit. Brisbane, QLD Australia:
Marshall, Helen , Wilkins, Kim , Bennett, Lisa and Anderton, Joanne (2023). The Ursula Project: Conceptual Framework. Brisbane, Australia: The What If Lab, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/9a5e903
Anderton, Joanne, Ivanova, Ksenia, Marshall, Helen, Wilkins, Kim, Bennett, Lisa and Scott, Haley (2023). Web 3.0 technology impacts and future scenarios. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Human and Decision Sciences Division, Defence Science Technology Group.
Creative Works
Wilkins, Kim and Diskett, Joseph (2014). 9 fathom deep. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Story City.
Wilkins, Kim (2012). Wild dreams of blood. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Review of Australian Fiction.
Ikin, Van, Johnson-Woods, Toni, Wilkins, Kim and Kilner, Kerry (2011). Speculations: fantasy, horror, and science fiction in Australia. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: AustLit.
Wilkins (Kimberley Freeman), Kim (2009). Austlit: Australian popular medievalism subset. St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia: AustLit.
Wilkins, Kim (2008). Dreamless. Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia: ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI).
Theses
Wilkins, Kim (2006). Giants of the frost. PhD Thesis, School of English, Media Studies and Art History, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/394198
Wilkins, Kim (2000). The resurrectionists. M.A. Thesis, School of English, Media Studies and Art History, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.16