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Lecturer in Humanities, Arts, Social Science and Education (HASSE), University of New England

I am an academic at the University of New England, lecturing in Contextual studies for the School of Education, but also working as an academic for the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Science (HASS), the Oorala Aboriginal Centre and the School of Health.

My PhD thesis topic was Caring for country in New South Wales: connection, identity and belonging, with research reflecting on the continuities and connections to land prevalent in Aboriginal culture, but also examining the ways in which non-indigenous people attempt to negotiate a sense of place and belonging.

I have worked with Lorina Barker on Trucked Off since 2017 - a performance project concerned with truth telling and decolonising history -as a cowriter, director and performer. I also have a passionate interest in Reconciliation and have conducted research into the Myall Creek Massacre Annual Memorial ceremony as a ritual of healing and reconciliation.

I am a community artist, with a particular focus on the role of immersive theatre in promoting experiential learning and transformational change that promotes both social and environmental justice. I am also interested in the role of creative arts in promoting health and wellbeing. My most recent engagement is as a Teaching Artist with Sydney Theatre Company, based in Armidale, to work with the Ezidi refugee community, using Drama to enhance literacy skills

Some of the other creative projects I have been involved in are:

• The Vaudeville Ecodrama which I co-wrote/directed ama with local High schools, collaborating with Ecoscenographer Tanja Beer, as part of the Ephemera project at Black Gully Music Festival (2016).

• The Silver City Songlines/ Rainbow Ridge Songlines (2012/2013) performance projects, where I was a workshop facilitator for Community Arts Organisation Beyond Empathy .

• Mubali Yinaar Yarnup 2013 (2015), – a short video which I produced for Beyond Empathy, describing the Mubalii, a project involving Aboriginal young Mums, Aunties and Health workers in Moree and other communities.

Experience

  • –present
    Lecturer in Indigenous studies, University of New England

Education

  • 2008 
    Charles Sturt University, PhD