What we do

Our research crosses the disciplinary boundaries of Critical Library, Archive and Museum studies and Indigenous studies.  We engage in research which supports the care and protection of Living Archives of Indigenous knowledges on Country and online by working in partnership with Indigenous communities to support their archival needs. Our research is impactful and unique, bridging gaps between research and practice in the GLAM sector.

The Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship team advocate for the following: 

• Use of open source and community-controlled IT systems to support the stewardship and sovereignty of Indigenous cultural heritage held in data, information and records.
• Development of archival models that incorporate appropriate Indigenous methods, protocols and the recognition of Indigenous Intellectual and Cultural Property Rights (ICIP).
• Re-telling of stories through the creative use of the archive, through design and creative practices, to enable opportunities to speak back to archives and colonial collections.
• Developing networks of people to share stories and information on self-determined practices in the GLAM sector.
• Calling out racism and privilege concerning how archives and information are managed across the GLAM sector and in traditional library, archive and museum practice.
• Providing advice on policy in relation to Indigenous collections in the GLAM sector, including collection development policies, significance assessments, valuing of collections, incorporation of ICIP and contracts negotiating the protection of Indigenous knowledges in information systems.
• Advocating for archival justice and reparations, including support for archives in national truth-telling processes.
• Advocate for Indigenous workforce development in libraries and archives, support education and training, including delivering workshops, on Indigenous wellbeing and cultural safety in the GLAM sector.

 

Examples of our teams activities:

How we do our work

We do our work through three main activities: 

Actively engaging in research activities

We co-design research projects with Indigenous community partners and industry to examine reforms and transformations needed in GLAM practices to support Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing and healing from the impacts of colonisation. 

Partnerships and collaborative engagement

We engage in partnership activities with peak bodies, community partners, government and GLAM organisations. We respond to research needs through tailored packages for clients, conduct evaluation of programs, conduct research for collection significance assessments and use our skills to advance Indigenous priorities in GLAM on advisory bodies and committees.

Sharing our stories and expertise

We are advocates who share our stories and expertise by developing and delivering rich content on Indigenous priorities and self-determination in libraries, archives and the broader GLAM sector. We do this by disseminating our research through publishing activities and by developing a range of learning activities (short courses and workshops) to support professional development needs related to GLAM. 

If you would like to enquire about research, engagement and learning activities, please contact:

Director of  Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship Hub, Associate Professor Kirsten Thorpe: Kirsten.Thorpe@uts.edu.au