How can art, storytelling and education create spaces where every voice is heard? At The Art of Giving for International Women's Day 2026, Purnima moderated a thought-provoking panel exploring representation, inclusion and the role of creative practice in driving positive social change.
Purnima was honoured to receive an award recognising her leadership as Lead of the University of Melbourne Australian Alumni Community in Thailand, alongside her professional achievements and continued contributions to the Australian alumni community.
Purnima co-led the inaugural launch of the University of Melbourne Thailand Alumni Network, bringing together more than 80 alumni for an evening of networking, shared memories and new connections. The event marked an exciting new chapter in strengthening the Melbourne alumni community across Thailand.
Many of us move between roles, often wondering how all the pieces of our creative and professional lives connect. But sometimes the intersections are exactly where purpose, growth and social change take root. In my latest piece in the Bangkok Patana School Term 3 Magazine, I reflect on how my journey as a teacher, author, artist, researcher, performance poet, curator and public speaker has come full circle in the most purposeful ways.
I had the pleasure of joining Cindy Adair on The Patana Pod for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on the many aspects that shape my identity — as an English teacher, writer, published author, artist and spoken word poet.
In the first of the new Patana Masterclass Series, explore how visual art can fire the imagination through the power of imagery with Secondary English teacher, Purnima Ghogar. In this Masterclass, Purnima guides viewers through the utilisation of visual art as a powerful stimulus to inspire ideas for writing in a variety of formats.
Purnima wins the day 11 #30in30 daily poetry competition with a poetry prize. She receives a copy of ‘Poems that do not sleep’ by Hassan Al Nawwab published by Fremantle Press and goes into the running to receive feedback on and paid publication of her full #30in30 poem. Her poem was written in response to a prompt by commissioned artist, Steven Oliver.
Purnima’s poem, ‘spilling seeds of creativity’ is published in Yuwana Zine #4 ‘Lockdown’. The writing and artworks published in this Zine demand attention to issues ranging from mental health, social injustice to wellbeing.
In dedication to International Women's Day 2021, Purnima was featured by the International Women's Day organisation as a spoken word poet on their website and Youtube channel. The theme for 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge. Choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievement and challenge gender bias and gender inequality to create an inclusive world.
Purnima Ruanglertbutr thrives on her artist-teacher identity. In my latest interview featured in Thailand's Masala Magazine October-November 2020 issue on 'successful women', I share my journey to becoming an artist-educator, my work & current projects. The article is available from the link below.
