The Sanctuary
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
This story was influenced by a driving holiday into the Pilbara, where the contrast between the utilitarian approach of mining and the incredible beauty of the landscape is apparent. ‘The Sanctuary’ tells a story of wild things out of place, of cause and effect and what chaos privilege can create on this fragile ecosystem. It draws on research into de-extinction of the thylacine out of University of Melbourne’s TIGRR Lab, which mapped the marsupial’s genome in April 2022.
Research Contribution
This work contributes a regional perspective to literary publications and unpacks complex issues around landscape and economy in the Pilbara. It takes an ecofeminist approach to the interventions of genetic editing and interrogates the impact of this technology on those involved and the ecosystem. It examines conscience, ethics and hubris in relation to economic power and control of vast landscapes in the remote Pilbara area of Western Australia.
Research Significance
Jacaranda Journal is a literary journal published out of University of Queensland since 2013. A prize is awarded for best submission from works of Australian poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, artwork, and photography. The journal editors selected ‘The Sanctuary’ as runner-up for this award. A video-recording of the author’s reading was played at the journal launch event. Awarding of the prizes was promoted on social media.
Keywords
Pilbara, de-extinction, thylacine, genetic editing, ecofeminism, ecosystem ethics, mining impact, environmental humanities, economic power, speculative fiction
Non-Traditional Research Output
Original Creative Work
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2025
Volume
12
Issue
2: Memento Mori
Publication Title
Jacaranda Journal
Publisher
University of Queensland
School
School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
95349
Links and/or Documentation
https://www.jacarandajournal.com/product-page/edition-12-2-memento-mori-digital
Duration
3034 words
First Page
49
Last Page
55
Recommended Citation
Mazza, D. (2025). The Sanctuary. Jacaranda Journal, 12(2 Memento Mori). https://www.jacarandajournal.com/product-page/edition-12-2-memento-mori-digital
Documentation Statement
This record presents a documented representation of the research output, including the research statement and associated contextual metadata. The creative work itself is not included. Where available, external links are provided to representations of the work.
Content Type
Documentation only