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Jo McDonald

Professor Jo McDonald

  • Post Nominals: FAHA, MAACAI
  • Fellow Type: Fellow
  • Elected to the Academy: 2020
  • Section(s): History, Archaeology

Biography

Professor Jo McDonald is the Director of the Centre for Rock Art Research + Management at UWA. She held the Rio Tinto Chair in Rock Art Studies between 2012-2022. Her ARC Future Fellowship (2012-2016)compared rock art in Australia’s Western Desert and the Great Basin, USA. She has developed collaborative partnerships with the Aboriginal communities across the Pilbara and Western Desert and is currently leading two ARC Linkage Projects. One is investigating the age of Murujuga’s rock art using innovative science; the other is researching mythological narratives, science and indigenous knowledge, and the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer between the Desert to the Sea. In 2026 she will commence an ARC Laureate Fellowship working of rock art, water and mythological narratives in the Pilbara.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Academy of the Humanities recognises Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of this land, and their continuous connection to country, community and culture.