Jane Goodall is a researcher and author whose work spans both academic scholarship and literary fiction. As a professor at Western Sydney University's Writing and Society Research Centre, she has published extensively on the intersection of arts and sciences, with notable academic works including "Artaud and the Gnostic Drama" and "Performance and Evolution in the Age of Darwin", the latter winning the Australasian Drama Studies Association's Robert Jordan Prize. Her collaborative volume "Frankenstein's Science" explores Mary Shelley's novel within contemporary scientific contexts. Alongside her scholarly contributions, Goodall has authored the award-winning fiction trilogy comprising "The Walker", "The Visitor", and "The Calling".
Her research focuses particularly on historical and interdisciplinary connections between performance, literature, and scientific thought. This dual expertise informs both her critical studies, such as "Stage Presence", and her narrative approach to fiction. Goodall's local history investigations into Sydney's Parramatta Road corridor further demonstrate her commitment to examining cultural landscapes through multiple lenses. Her teaching and mentorship at Western Sydney University have guided numerous students in arts history and related research fields.