I am a social anthropologist and cultural heritage manager. My PhD research (1995-1998) was undertaken in the Torassi or Bensbach River area of Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, near the border with the Indonesian province of Papua. From 1999-2003 I was Anthropologist in the Native Title Office, Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). Since that time I have continued to work in Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea as a consultant. I have also been a Research Officer/Project Coordinator at the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, Monash University (2017, 2021-2024) and Research Officer at the Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland (PNG-Australia Borderlands Project, 2018). Currently I am Research Unit Manager and Principal Anthropologist at the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in Melbourne (2022-2025).

Career Highlights

Anthropologist, Native Title Office, Torres Strait Regional Authority (1999-2003)

Director, Arafura Consulting (2005-present)

Author of anthropological reports for seven native title determinations in Torres Strait

Discovery of mammal species Lagorchestes conspicillatus and Xeromys myoides in New Guinea

Memberships

• Fellow, Australian Anthropological Society
• Member, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association
• Fellow, The Linnean Society of London