Our People in Australian Indigenous Studies
AUIS People title
We are fortunate at ANU to have experts in Australian Indigenous Studies and strong relationships with senior Indigenous knowledge holders in our communities who regularly join our classes. Meet some of those who teach our students at ANU.
Our people live and work in First Nations across the continent, including Wiradjuri, Dharug, Gadigal, Darkenung, Gurungai, Gurindji, Warlpiri, Arrernte, Larrakia, Zenadh Kes, and Yuin Nations. We belong to our homes as these homes belong to us. We recognise and are grateful to those who welcome us to their Country - including the Ngunnawal Ngambri Peoples on whose land the main campus of the ANU is situated. We recognise that across the continents our Country, our home remains unceded territory.
Dr Lawrence Bamblett
Wiradjuri educator, scholar and historian, Lawrie’s courses are universally loved by students. He takes seriously his responsibility to share the stories he has been told and to share that way of storytelling, a gift of teaching that he received from his elders. He brings his depth of knowledge, breadth of reading and extraordinary teaching skills to the classroom to create one of our foundational courses in Australian Indigenous Studies.
Lawrie teaches Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History (HIST2022).
Lawrie is the Director of the Australian Centre for Indigenous History. To read more about Lawrie and his work, go here.
Dr Christopher Sainsbury
Dharug musician, Christopher Sainsbury is one of Australia’s most prolific, highly awarded and regarded composers. Chris is a gentle and creative educator, who creates space in his music courses for students who may not be able to play or compose music to provide an opportunity to appreciate contemporary Indigenous music and the worlds of our musicians.
Chris teaches Contemporary Australian Indigenous Music Studies (INDG2002).
Chris is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Music. To read more about Chris and his work, go here.
Professor Brenda Croft
Gurindji/Malngin/Mudburra woman and of Anglo-Australian/German/Irish/Chinese heritage, Brenda Croft is an astoundingly creative and generative artist who produces works that profoundly speak to our contemporary identity and strength, our diverse experiences and heritages. Writer, artist, art historian and more - Brenda has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants. Brenda has recently taken up the extraordinarily prestigious Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Chair of Australian Studies at Harvard University in 2023.
Brenda teaches Australian First Nations Art and Culture (ARTH2098).
Brenda is a Professor in the School of Art and Design. To read more about Brenda and her work, go here.
Dr Annick Thomassin
French-Canadian scholar Annick Thomassin brings to her teaching her experience in decolonial research practice and Indigenous research methodologies. Her research and teaching is informed and influenced by her deep connections with Masig people (Torres Strait) and her relationship with the Yuin people developed over years of ethical and relational research and collaboration.
Annick teaches Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management. To read more about Annick and her work, go here.