Presented by Professor Michael Westaway with an introduction by Professor Rodney Carter, Mabo Centre, University of Melbourne.

In this time of gathering uncertainty, questions are being posed about the relevance of archaeology to contemporary Australian life. If our research and engagement enjoys high media visibility, it is typically framed as concerned with the past rather than the present. Archaeologists in Australia are rarely called upon to inform public debate or policy, especially compared to scholars in fields such as economics, sociology, and political science.

With expertise in archaeology, biological anthropology, museums and public engagement, in this lecture Professor Michael Westaway considers how archaeology can contribute to contemporary understanding and decision-making. By engaging with problems raised by competing narratives and misinformation, archaeological perspectives can challenge simplistic representations and expose the deployment of these narratives to sow division and reinforce vested interests. When undertaken in close collaboration with Indigenous communities, archaeological inquiry has considerable potential to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and sovereignty. The lecture highlights community-focused research undertaken with several Indigenous communities, including the Mithaka, Dunghutti, Ngampaa, Kaurareg, and Aba Wurriya. It argues that transdisciplinary collaborations—where knowledge is braided and exchanged—can amplify under‑represented voices, stimulate public engagement, and, when carried into classrooms, shape how future generations understand both history and one another.

When: 3.30pm AEST, Friday 22 May 2026

Where (in person): 14-212 Learning Theatre, Sir Llew Edwards Building, University of Queensland St Lucia Campus Qld

Where (online): This presentation will also be available via Zoom. Please contact the working papers coordinators for further details. Contact details at https://social-science.uq.edu.au/archaeology-working-papers