Press
Media
Explore Purnima’s multifaceted global impact across the spheres of international education, publishing, poetry performance, creative writing, literature, curatorship, and art, as recognised in scholarly journals, newspapers, magazines, podcasts, radio broadcasts, and other media channels.
featured in
Media Coverage
appearances
Full Circle: A Patana Graduate’s Evolution Into A Creative Educator
Purnima reflects on her journey as a teacher, artist, researcher, author, performance poet, curator and public speaker, championing creativity, interdisciplinary learning and arts-integration to empower young people with future skills and inspire compassionate, visionary leadership in education’s evolving landscape.
Bangkok Patana School Magazine: Issue 76, Term 3, June 2025
A Spectacular TAPs Exhibition Launch: Celebrating The Arts and Creativity at Bangkok Patana
The inaugural TAPs Exhibition at Bangkok Patana celebrated staff creativity through diverse artworks and live performances. Led by Purnima Ruanglertbutr, the event fostered community connection, showcasing artistic talents across disciplines and highlighting the programme’s impact on well-being, professional growth and creative synergy.
Patana Life, February 2025
Introducing The Teachers As Art Practitioners Project: A Vision of Creativity and Professional Learning
Purnima introduces the TAPs programme, empowering Patana staff to integrate artistic practice into professional life. Through research, workshops and the ‘Patana Canvases’ exhibition, TAPs nurtures creativity, well-being and community, showcasing diverse artistic talents and highlighting the transformative power of arts in education and personal growth.
Bangkok Patana School Magazine: Issue 74, Term 1, December 2024
Empowering Young Voices: Communicating Global Issues Through Poetry
Purnima introduces her inaugural Spoken Word Poetry Showcase project at a leading British International School in Thailand, where students create and perform their own poetry anthologies, fostering critical thinking and global awareness, making this article a valuable resource for educators seeking impactful teaching methods.
Bangkok Patana School Magazine: Issue 7, Term 3, June, 2023
Poet Purnima Ghogar Ruanglertbutr delivers her #EmbraceEquity message
Highlighting women creatives, the International Women’s Day organisation sheds light on Purnima’s inspirational advice for persistently pursuing dreams, showcasing her impactful role as a global creative role model, and emphasising her spoken-word performance advocating activism, empowerment, and inclusion.
International Women’s Day: Women Creatives mission articles, April 2023
Purnima Ghogar (English Teacher and Alumni)
Cindy Adair, Head of Professional Learning at Bangkok Patana School in Thailand, interviews Purnima about teaching in the English faculty. Her passion for the subject and professional endeavours as a spoken word poet, author, artist, and advocacy for social justice also comes through, which she loves to explore through the lens of heritage and belonging.
The Patana Pod (SO1EP3)
Patana Masterclass
Purnima illustrates the artful fusion of visual stimuli and creative writing, highlighting the masterclass’s role in inspiring diverse written forms, enhancing critical skills, and fostering an ekphrastic approach that unites literature and art for modern learners.
Patana News, June 2022
Purnima is Choosing to Challenge
Purnima performs an original spoken word piece for International Women’s Day 2021, creatively addressing gender inequality and celebrating collective resilience and unity.
International Women’s Day official website, March 2021
Purnima is Choosing to Challenge
Purnima’s original spoken word piece for International Women’s Day 2021 is highlighted in the school community; it creatively addresses gender inequality while celebrating collective resilience and unity.
Patana News, Vol 23 Issue 24, March 2021
Colouring Between The Lines: Creative powerhouse Purnima Ruanglertbutr thrives on her artist-teacher identity
Purnima Ruanglertbutr’s remarkable journey as an educator, artist, writer, and curator is highlighted in an interview, where she discusses her identity, challenges, achievements, and goals, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between her creative pursuits and education while advocating for embracing diverse talents in a career.
Masala Magazine, October-November 2020
Who am I - Artist, teacher or both?
In her first appearance at TED, Purnima challenges stereotypes, revealing her identity as an English teacher, published author, artist, curator, academic, and educational researcher, while advocating for supporting teachers’ hidden talents and offering solutions to overcome challenges in managing creative pursuits alongside teaching.
TEDxBangkokPatanaSchool
Promoting Student Authorship
Purnima facilitates the ECA “Word is Out” magazine, where Key Stage 3 students take on professional roles and contribute diverse content, fostering confidence, collaboration, and creativity while engaging in current global and local issues.
The Patana Blog, 2018
Announcing the 24th Educational Publishing Awards Shortlist
Susie May and Purnima Ruanglertbutr’s collaboration on ‘Inspired English’ published by Macmillan Education Australia has earned them a spot as finalists in the 24th Educational Publishing Awards, recognised in the Student Resource, Junior English category.
Educational Publishing Awards Australia, 2017
Inspired English 1 & 2: Creative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Art - Reviewed by Chris Thompson
Purnima Ruanglertbutr, co-author of the Inspired English series, collaborated on a curriculum that integrates artworks as sources of inspiration to teach English components, promoting critical thinking and creative writing through exploration of visual texts, enhancing students’ language skills
IDIOM Journal, Victorian Association for the Teaching of English, October 2017
Do arts teachers have to be artists?
Purnima Ruanglertbutr’s co-research project and exhibition are featured in a discussion surrounding the expectations and assumptions of arts teachers and whether they need to be practising artists, addressing the hierarchy of subjects in schools and the challenges faced by arts education in an article exploring the role of arts teachers.
The Conversation Australia, September 2016
Book launch: Inspired English at the NGV
Purnima Ruanglertbutr, along with co-author Susie May, contributed to the successful launch of the ‘Inspired English’ resource at the National Gallery of Victoria, utilising artworks as a catalyst for the development of English skills, creative writing, and critical thinking.
Macmillan Education Australia 2016
Online Journals: Journal of Artistic and Creative Education (JACE) edited by Purnima Ruanglertbutr
The special edition of the Journal of Artistic & Creative Education (JACE), edited by Purnima Ruanglertbutr features authors from across Australia discussing the importance and development of education within museums.
Museum Education Monitor, December 2014
Artist, teacher or both?
The Teacher as Artmaker Project (TAP) at Melbourne University, led by researcher and exhibition curator Purnima Ruanglertbutr, focuses on the challenges faced by art teachers in maintaining their practice while teaching, offering support through an annual exhibition.
Shaping Minds 2014, The Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Purnima Ruanglertbutr (NCV Resident, 2009)
Purnima recounts her fulfilling time at NCV College while studying the Master of Art Administration at COFA and highlights her current professional achievements.
New ‘n’ Old, The Alumni Magazine of New College & NCV, 2014
Alumni Profile: Purnima Ruanglertbutr, Class of 2005
After visiting her school in Bangkok, Purnima reminisces about her time there and shares her successes in her current employment and activities in Australia.
Bangkok Patana School Magazine, Term 1, 2014
My Melbourne with Purnima Ruanglertbutr
Purnima is interviewed about her diverse role spanning multiple faculties at Melbourne University, including lecturing in the Master of Education program, coordinating conferences, and curating exhibitions, all fueled by her passion for art and education.
Melbourne University Staff / Student E-news (Issue 121), October 2013
Artist, teacher or both? Supporting graduate art teachers
Purnima’s exhibition, The Teacher Artmaker Project at Melbourne Graduate School of Education, highlighted in the national newspaper, raises awareness of the importance of supporting graduate art teachers in maintaining their art practice while teaching through an annual exhibition, fostering a positive impact on teaching quality and identity.
The Age National Newspaper Australia, October 2013
Spectacular images from the vet industry
Curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr, the “Artful World of Animals” exhibition at the University of Melbourne explores the complex human-animal relationship through diverse artworks, celebrating 50 years of teaching at the veterinary school.
The Melbourne Newsroom
Exhibition exploring the heartfelt and complex relationship humans have with animals.
Curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr, “The Artful World of Animals” exhibition explores the profound connection between humans and animals through diverse artworks by various artists, delving into their perspectives and significance.
Vet News, Magazine of the University of Melbourne Veterinary Society, Vol 2, p. 5, 2013
Artworks celebrate 50 years of Veterinary Learning
Exhibition curator, Purnima Ruanglertbutr presents “The Artful World of Animals,” an exhibition celebrating 50 years of teaching at the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
Melbourne University Staff / Student E-news, Issue 121, October 2013
The Hidden Talents of Vets.
In an interview with Bush Telegraph, Purnima Ruanglertbutr discusses her curated exhibition “The Artful World of Animals,” featuring artworks from the veterinary industry that explore the intricate human-animal relationship, addressing issues of confinement, perspectives, and the importance of animals in culture.
Bush Telegraph, ABC National Radio, 1 Oct 2013, 11:45AM
Exhibition: The Artful World of Animals
Curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr, “The Artful World of Animals” exhibition showcases diverse artworks exploring animals from various perspectives, featuring interpretations by artists, veterinarians, designers, and photographers, and reflecting on the relationships between humans and animals.
The Melbourne Festival of Ideas, September 2013
Exhibition: Sensations of Art-making: Triumphs, torments and risk-taking, curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr
The annual Teacher-as-Artmaker Project art exhibition by the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and the Victorian Artists Society features works by early career artist-teachers, exploring the connection between their artistic practice and teaching.
The University of Melbourne Events, September 2013
Exhibition: Sensations of Art-making: Triumphs, Torments and Risk-taking
The annual Teacher-as-Artmaker Project art exhibition, which features works by early career artist-teachers exploring the connection between their artistic practice and teaching, has received wide-reaching publicity.
Antiques and Art in Victoria, August-December 2013
Sport + Art + Education
This paper highlights the Basil Sellers Art Prize exhibition education program by Purnima Ruanglertbutr, demonstrating how museum education bridges communication, enhances accessibility, and reaches diverse audiences, including the underrepresented.
The Ian Potter Museum of Art – Art+Events+Ideas, Vol 12 May 2013
Guest Column with Purnima Ruanglertbutr
Purnima, Education Officer at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, shares her commitment to creating inclusive and innovative education programs focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and fostering social equity.
Melbourne University Staff / Student E-news Issue 98, November 2012
Exhibition: Crossing Boundaries: The Journey from Teacher to Teaching Artist
The Teacher as Art-maker Project (TAP) exhibition, curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr, showcases the creative endeavours of Visual Art teaching graduates, exploring the dual identity of artist-teachers.
Melbourne University Staff / Student E-news Issue 99, November 2012
Promoting inclusion: How museums can educate mass audiences
Education Officer at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Purnima, discusses the importance of promoting inclusion through tailored education programs in museums, especially for diverse and non-traditional audiences.
Melbourne Alumni eNews – Special Issue: Education and Curriculum, September edition 30
Purnima: Up and Coming Artist
In the “On the Canvas” feature, Purnima showcases her diverse creativity across writing and fine arts, blending Indian and Thai influences in her artworks; her commitment to excellence and uplifting young Thai artists reflects her dedication to artistic growth and community enrichment.
Expat Weekend Thailand Magazine
‘Song of a Nightingale’: Poetry and Painting
Purnima’s watercolour painting and poem titled ‘Song of a Nightingale’ are featured in the ‘Open Ground’ column of the newspaper’s weekend insert.t.
The Nation Thailand, Thailand’s Independent Newspaper, December 2005
‘Wildflower’: Poetry and Painting
Purnima’s watercolour painting and poem titled ‘Wildflower’ are featured in the ‘Open Ground’ column of the newspaper’s weekend insert.
The Nation Thailand, Thailand’s Independent Newspaper, December 2005
‘Serenity’: Poetry and Painting
Purnima’s oil painting and poem titled ‘Serenity’ are featured in the ‘Open Ground’ column of the newspaper’s weekend insert.
The Nation Thailand, Thailand’s Independent Newspaper, October 2005
Alumni News: One Year Later
Purnima celebrates her first year at university and her first publishing project one year on from school, which she looks back at fondly.
Bangkok Patana School Term 3 Magazine, 2006
Let's Connect
If you are a writer, editor or producer and would like to request a talk or interview for a story, podcast, or video with Purnima, please submit the form below to help us address your request.