The University of Newcastle, Australia

The complex history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians could not be better told than by University of Newcastle historian Associate Professor Victoria Haskins.

Associate Professor Haskins, who is non-Indigenous, is married to fellow Newcastle historian and Aboriginal Australian, Professor John Maynard. Her research looks at the diverse relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Associate Professor Haskins is one of three key speakers who will present their research tomorrow at the launch of the University of Newcastle’s three new Faculty of Education and Arts research institutes - The Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing (RISIW), the Educational Research Institute Newcastle (ERIN) and the Humanities Research Institute.

“I am currently working with John on a research project about the relationships between Indigenous men and white women in Australian history. A separate research project is looking at the history of placing Indigenous girls and women as household servants in Australia and the US,” said Associate Professor Haskins, who will represent RISIW.

The launch of RISIW, ERIN and the Humanities Research Institute will held at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle and the event will be officially opened by Ms Sharon Grierson MP, Federal Member for Newcastle.

Dr David Lubans, who is researching obesity-prevention in adolescent girls, will speak at the launch on behalf of ERIN.

“We are currently evaluating the effects of programs to increase physical activity and healthy eating among adolescent girls from disadvantaged secondary schools in New South Wales.”

Dr Rebecca Beirne, from the Humanities Research Institute, will discuss her research into the representation of lesbianism in world cinema.

“When it comes to the representation of lesbians in film, they have often been historically represented in negative or stereotypical ways. My project charts both representations, and those that speak back to these characterisations, considering the full gamut of mainstream and independent films from around the world that include lesbian characters or narratives of lesbian desire."

Two free seminars will follow the launch and will cover a number of subjects including violence and social order and physical activity and population health education. They run from 1-3pm and are open to the public.

For more information visit www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/education-arts/research/events.html

Media opportunity: The launch will be held Friday 3 December from 10.30am at the Crowne Plaza, Newcastle. High resolution photographs of Dr Lubans, Dr Beirne and Associate Professor Haskins are also available upon request.

For interviews: Megan Cunneen, Media and Public Relations officer, 02 4921 5351.