Australian breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn, who became a global sensation after her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has lost her job as a lecturer at Macquarie University amid a round of staff redundancies.
Gunn’s Redundancy at Macquarie University
According to the Australian Financial Review, Gunn was included in the latest cost-cutting redundancies at the university, where she worked as a media and popular culture lecturer. A Macquarie University spokesperson declined to comment on individual employment matters, citing legal and privacy reasons.
The redundancies are part of broader cost-saving measures across Australian universities due to declining international student numbers. The arts department at Macquarie has been particularly affected.
Gunn’s Academic Background
Gunn had been at Macquarie University for over a decade, earning her PhD in 2017 on the gender politics of Sydney’s breaking culture. Her research focused on the cultural politics of breaking and street dancing, including a study for the City of Sydney on street dancers performing in public spaces.
Reaction to Her Olympic Performance
Gunn’s Olympic routine, which included moves mimicking hopping kangaroos, wriggling snakes, and the sprinkler, earned her zero points and went viral, spawning memes worldwide. Senator Gerard Rennick criticised taxpayer funding for what he called “obscure and pointless courses,” questioning the value of Gunn’s PhD.
Despite the setback, Gunn leveraged her fame earlier this year by launching a venture on Cameo, where she charges fans nearly $70 for personalised video messages.
