Desert to the Sea: Managing Rock Art, Country and Culture
2022 – 2027
Project Overview
This Project will expand our understanding of Aboriginal settlement and land-use in north-west Australia by investigating how the mythological narratives of Australia’s deserts enable the transmission of knowledge in water-limited environments.
The Project will bring together Indigenous knowledge and western scientific approaches to improve management outcomes for Indigenous ranger groups managing vast cultural estates with significant rock art.
To achieve this Project’s ambitious goals, our researchers and collaborators are organised into four interrelated Research Nodes:
Chief Investigators
Jo McDonald
Lead CI UWA
Pauline Grierson
UWA
Peter Veth
UWA
Richard Fullagar
UWA
Stephen van Leeuwen
Curtin University
Judith Field
UNSW
Rachel Popelka-Filcoff
University of Melbourne
Emilie Dotte-Sarout
UWA
Partner Investigators
Peter Jeffries
MAC
Annie Carson
WA Museum
Douglas Bird
Pennsylvania State
Alicia Whittington
DBCA
Stefani Crabtree
Utah State University
Justin McKinnon
Desert Support Services
Sharon Reynolds
Woodside
Collaborating Researchers
India Dilkes-Hall
Archaeobotanist
Michi Meyer
Botanist & Zoologist
John Stanton
Anthropologist
Sarah Bourke
Hydrogeologist
Project Staff
Sam Harper
Project Manager
Peter Kendrik
Zoologist/ Logistics
Sarah de Koning
Database Manager
Elly
Collections
Emma Beckett
Heritage Liaison Officer
Ron Witt
Logistics
Chae Byrne
Anthracologist
Students
Logan Brauer
PhD Candidate - Water
Vinicius Fiumari
PhD - Residue + Usewear
Leia Corrie
Honours - Fire
Partners
This ARC Funded Linkage Project (LP200300886) is administered at The University of Western Australia, with chief investigators at Curtin University, The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales, The Pennsylvania State University, Utah State University, in collaboration with partner organisations Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), Mungarlu Ngurrarankatja Rirraunkaja Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (MNR), and Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC), with funding from Woodside, BHP, Newcrest Mining, and with partner investigators from the Western Australian Museum, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and Desert Support Services.
