Indigenous Studies

Ratified in 2023, the Indigenous Studies Section comprises of 31 Fellows

Welcome to the Indigenous Studies Section

Indigenous Studies is an inherently dynamic and interdisciplinary field not easily defined within traditional disciplinary groupings. Indigenous scholarship works across diverse fields from archaeology, literature, art, history, philosophy, cultural studies, law, health, science and more.

Critical Indigenous Studies draws on Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to address complex questions about how Indigenous experience is understood and ultimately create new knowledge of how our diverse and interconnected histories shape Australian society, culture, technology, medicine, science and economics.

As Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson observes:

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“the predominance of non-Indigenous scholars in the teaching and research of Indigenous Studies in Australia has a long history. Critical Indigenous Studies is dedicated in part to exploring the impacts of this history on knowledge production.”

Many scholars of Indigenous Studies have not followed the vertical career pathway common to the more established disciplines. Instead, they have had to develop competencies across a diversity of disciplines, which in many cases prepared them for the challenging research subjects they would address. For some, their scholarly course has sat uncomfortably with traditional models of disciplinary pedigree – and their knowledge and expertise has been overlooked as a result. It is one of this Section’s tasks to set this right.

The Indigenous Studies Section was ratified in November 2023. The first five Fellows elected on the recommendation of the Section were constitutional scholar Professor Megan Davis, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Bronwyn Fredericks, Indigenous educational leader Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney, two-times Miles Franklin Award-winning novelist Professor Kim Scott and Associate Professor Kyllie Cripps for her research and engagement on solutions in the field of Indigenous family violence.

The Indigenous Studies Section currently comprises 31 Indigenous scholars, each exemplary in their field. I invite you to get to know their work below.

Associate Professor
Shino Konishi FAHA

Head of Section,
Indigenous Studies

Indigenous Studies Section

Fellows

Associate Professor Debbie Bargallie FAHA
Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO FAHA
Professor Tony Birch FAHA
Professor Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews FAHA
Professor Clint Bracknell FAHA
Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson FAHA MAIATSIS
Professor Kyllie Cripps FAHA
Professor Megan Davis AC FAAL FASSA FAHA
Professor Pat Dudgeon AM FAHA
Professor Gary Foley FAHA
Associate Professor Linda Payi Ford FAHA
Professor Bronwyn Fredericks FAHA FASSA FQA
Associate Professor Natalie Harkin FAHA
Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM FAHA
Associate Professor Shino Konishi FAHA
Emeritus Professor John Maynard FAHA
Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson FAHA FQAAS HFAAAS FASSA
Professor Yin Paradies FAHA FASSA
Dr Craig Reynolds FAHA
Professor Daryle Rigney FAHA
Professor Lester – Irabinna Rigney AM FAHA MACE MAIATSIS
Professor Lynette Russell AM FAHA FRHistS FASSA
Professor Kim Scott FAHA
Professor Gaye Sculthorpe FAHA

Honorary Fellows

Ms Pat Anderson AO FAHA
Mr Richard Bell FAHA
Professor Tom Calma AO FAHA FAA FASSA
Dr Dawn Casey FAHA
Professor Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO FAHA
Professor Wesley Enoch AM FAHA
Dr Fiona Foley FAHA
Dr Stan Grant FAHA FASSA
Dr Jacqueline Huggins AM FAHA
Dr Terri Janke FAHA
Mr Djon Mundine OAM FAHA
Ms Dalisa Pigram FAHA
Adjunct Professor Craig Ritchie FAHA
Mr Gary Williams FAHA
Professor Alexis Wright FAHA

Fellows may be a member of multiple Sections, representing their multidisciplinary expertise. Each Section is lead by a Head of Section.

The work of the Fellowship

The government has a target for Indigenous digital inclusion. It’s got little hope of meeting it

The fact the government recognises digital inclusion as a national priority is a positive step. The current approach, however, is piecemeal and limited. We need a more holistic strategy. By developing more inclusive, technologically advanced policies led by Indigenous people, the government can ensure they are not left behind in the digital age. We need to be at the decision-making table.

Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson FAHA

To me, it goes back to place. And if we’re approaching this from a position of music emanating from or existing within a place, then that place is always relevant as a touchstone. And therefore, to exclude what Indigenous people—who are Indigenous to the place we’re talking about—are doing in that sphere of musical activity, that’s a fallacy. If you’re blind to it, it’s actually exclusion.

Professor Clint Bracknell FAHA

“Music has always been made here” — new book reframes music-making in Australia

The past, present & future of Indigenous Studies in Australia

The aim of Indigenous scholarship in the past decade has been to engage with earlier configurations of Indigenous Studies to scope the horizons of Critical Indigenous Studies. Indigenous scholars cannot waver in our objective to challenge the knowledges that have been produced about us.

Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson FAHA