Savaging the Disciplines: Reflections and futures for Indigenous higher education

A conversation between Associate Professor Sana Nakata and Professor Martin Nakata. The discussion centred on the kinds of aspirations Professor Martin Nakata had for his work when his book Disciplining the Savages, Savaging the Disciplines was published in 2007 and the ways in which those aspirations have and have not been realised.

Recording transcript

Presenters

Professor Martin Nakata is the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Education and Strategy at James Cook University. He is a Torres Strait Islander, holds a PhD in Education, and is recognised internationally as one of the leading Indigenous academics in Australia. He is widely published in national and international academic journals, anthologies and books on Indigenous educational matters. His research work in the higher education sector to improve outcomes for Indigenous students spans almost four decades, and he has been invited to and delivered keynote addresses on his ongoing work to professional associations in over twenty countries. His current ARC-funded study of improvements to Indigenous STEM education in schools will have bearing on the shape of Indigenous STEM education in the future.

Associate Professor Sana Nakata Associate Dean (Indigenous), Senior Lecturer in Political Science and co-founder of the Indigenous Settler Relations Collaboration, the University of Melbourne. Sana trained as a lawyer and political theorist, Sana’s research is centred upon developing an approach for thinking politically about childhood in ways that improve the capacity of adult decision-makers to act in their interests. Sana has recently completed an ARC Discovery Indigenous Research Fellowship examining Representations of Children in Australian Political Controversies (2016-2019). She is the author of Childhood Citizenship, Governance and Policy (2015), and along with Professor Sarah Maddison, edits the Springer book series: Indigenous Settler Relations in Australia and the World.

The presenters have granted permission for this recording to be used for personal viewing and educational purposes.