Since its inception in 2007, the Research Centre has provided a base for a variety of researchers from Australia and overseas, investigating different aspects of Australian history. We welcome their contribution to the scholarly debate and the opportunity to work with them.
Note: This information is current for the period in which the Associates were involved with the National Museum of Australia and is not necessarily up to date.
Katherine Aigner
Associate since July 2011
Katherine is a filmmaker with a strong interest in indigenous spirituality. Formerly a curator at the NMA, she was involved in community consultations for the Rituals of Life exhibition at the Vatican and the Birds Barks and Billabongs: Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 American-Australian Scientific Exhibition to Arnhem Land symposium.
Related links
Alison Clark
Associate from October 2010
Currently a PhD student at Kings College, London, Ali is researching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photographs held in the British Museum.
Related link
Student profile of Alison Clark, Kings College, London
Louise Douglas
Associate since May 2011
Formerly Assistant Director of the Audience, Programs and Partnerships Division at the National Museum of Australia, Louise is completing her PhD on Australia’s contribution to international exhibitions and world fairs.
Related links
- 'Representing colonial Australia at British, American and European international exhibitions', reCollections, vol 3 no 1, March 2008
- Staff presentations and papers (D)
Stephen Foster
Associate since January 2007
Stephen is a Professor in the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the Australian National University. He edits reCollections: A journal of museums and collections, the National Museum of Australia's online journal.
Related links:
- A Private Empire, Murdoch Books, October 2010 (explores Britain’s imperial past through the eyes and experiences of a single family)
Christine Hansen
Associate since November 2010
Formerly a curator at the National Museum of Australia, Christine is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for Environmental History, Australian National University. Her current project focuses on the Victorian community of Steels Creek.
Related links:
- Profile of Christine Hansen, Australian National University
‘Two way flow: the Koperilya springs pipeline boomerang’, audio and transcript of a talk given at the 2008 Collections symposium
Matthew Higgins
Associate in 2009-10
Matthew worked as a Senior Curator at the National Museum of Australia from 2004 to 2011. In 2009-10 Matthew joined the staff of the Centre for Historical Research to write a book on the history of the Australian Capital Territory's high country Rugged Beyond Imagination. In his time at the National Museum, Matthew worked on a number of exhibitions and collection development projects, including the authentification of the Leichhardt nameplate.
Related links:
- Projects undertaken at the Centre and at the Museum
- Higgins, M, Rugged Beyond Imagination, NMA Press, June 2009
- 'Rugged Beyond Imagination: Stories from an Australian mountain region', 15 April 2009, audio and transcript
- Convenor of the Leichhardt symposium held 15 June 2007 including
'Overview of the National Museum of Australia's purchase of the Leichhardt nameplate', 15 June 2007, audio and transcript - Leichhardt nameplate collection highlight
- Staff presentations and papers (H)
Shino Konishi
Associate in 2008 and 2009
Formerly holding a position of Research Fellow at the NMA (2008-10), Shino is now a Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Indigenous History at the Australian National University. Her special interests include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and Australian history.
Related Links:
- Profile of Shino Konishi, Australian National University
- Symbols of Australia public forum with Rod Quantock, 4 June 2010, audio and transcript
- Co-convenor with Dr Maria Nugent of conference on Baz Luhrman's film Australia, 7-8 December 2009
- Into the west: Torres Strait Islander railway workers, migration and belonging, 28 August 2008, audio and transcript
Kathryn Medlock
Associate from October 2009
Currently a curator at the Tasmanian Museum and Gallery, Kathryn is also studying for a PhD under the supervision of Libby Robin. Her particular field of interest is thylacines.
Maria Nugent
Associate in 2008 and 2009
Formerly holding a position of Research Fellow at the National Museum of Australia, Maria is now a Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Indigenous History at the Australian National University. Her special interests include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and Australian history.
Related Links:
- Profile of Dr Maria Nugent, Australian National University
- Nugent, M, Captain Cook was here, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2009.
- Co-convenor with Dr Shino Konishi of conference on Baz Luhrman's film Australia, 7-8 December 2009
- 'The economy of shells: A history of Aboriginal women at La Perous making shellwork for sale', Indigenous Participation in Australian Economies conference, 9 November 2009, audio and transcript
- Writing Captain Cook symposium, convenor, 17 May 2009, audio and transcript
- Book review of Forgetting Aborigines by Chris Healy, reCollections, vol 4 no 1, April 2009
Michael Piggott
Associate since July 2010
Following a fellowship at the Australian Prime Ministers Centre, Michael jointly wrote the guide to archives held at the Australian National University relating to Prime Ministers. He is now working on a project involving the understanding of Indigenous archives.
Related link
Prime Ministers at The Australian National University: an archival guide (available as free PDF download)
Biff Ward
Associate since July 2009
After a career as a consultant in human resource training and development, Biff is writing a family memoir for publication. Biff organises regular small group trips to Vietnam.
Christine Wright
Associate from February 2008 for the summer
Christine Wright is an historian who is particularly interested in Australian social history and nineteenth-century British history. Her book Wellington's Men in Australia was published following a position as an Early Career Summer Fellow at the Museum.
Related link
Wellington's Men in Australia, Palgrave Macmillan, April 2011
