Associate Professor Kathleen Butler
Head of Institute, Wollotuka Institute
Indigenous Education and Research (Sociology and Anthropology)
- Email:kathleen.butler@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 49 217 747
Career Summary
Biography
Associate Professor Kathleen Butler has been implementing culturally innovative pedagogy seeking social impact for 25 years. Her work spans disciplinary focus in sociology, anthropology and Indigenous Studies; broad leadership in Indigenisation of curriculum; and cross-disciplinary engagement with STEM. At the University of Newcastle, Kath has worked within mainstream Humanities, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, supported the Pro-Vice Chancellor Indigenous Portfolio and currently heads the Wollotuka Institute which is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. Her teaching ranges from large-scale core courses, small post-graduate cohorts and guest lectures in both online and face-to-face offerings.
Kath bases her scholarship of teaching and learning in place-based pedagogies which have expanded for local, regional, national and international impact and recognition. Her teaching is linked to providing meaningful practice- that extends to culturally capable students and transforming the environment in which graduates will work. This includes providing research and evaluation on success in schools in NSW Public Education; including Indigenous people in urban planning internationally, Aboriginal Community Language Planning and Aboriginal youth mental health innovations. While this cycle of teaching and community impact has been recognised with awards, fellowships and grants, the longevity of change and impact is the most valuable achievement.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Social Science, University of Newcastle
- Master of Social Science, University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Aboriginal Studies
- Anthropology
- Global Indigenous Studies
- Sociology
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 450213 | Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, histories, culture, country, perspectives and ethics in education | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Deputy Head of Institute | University of Newcastle Indigenous Education and Research Australia |
Academic appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1/2012 - | Associate Professor, Teaching Quality and Coordination | University of Newcastle The Wollotuka Institute Australia |
| 1/2/2010 - 1/12/2011 | Senior Lecturer, Indigenous Curriculum Design and Development | University of Newcastle Centre for Teaching and Learning Australia |
| 1/1/2007 - 1/12/2007 | Lecturer | University of Newcastle The Wollotuka Institute Australia |
| 1/8/1997 - 1/12/2006 | Associate Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Education and Arts Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Hansen C, Butler K, Exploring Urban Identities and Histories, AIATSIS Research Publications, Canberra, 185 (2013) [A3] |
Chapter (2 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Butler K, Hansen C, 'Introduction', Exploring Urban Identities and Histories, AIATSIS Research Publications, Canberra 1-8 (2013) [B2] | ||
| 2011 | Butler K, 'Rabbit Proof Fence', Making Film and Television Histories: Australia and New Zealand, I. B. Tauris, London 22-25 (2011) [B2] | Nova |
Journal article (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 |
Walter M, Butler K, 'Teaching race to teach Indigeneity', JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, 49 397-410 (2013) [C1]
|
Nova | ||||||
| 2006 |
Butler K, '(Re)presenting indigeneity: The possibilities of Australian sociology', Journal of Sociology, 42 369-381 (2006) [C1]
|
Nova | ||||||
| 2004 | Butler K, Butler J, 'Aboriginal Grandmothers and the Living Memorial of Oral History', Journal of Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, 9 174 (2004) [C1] | Nova | ||||||
| Show 1 more journal article | ||||||||
Conference (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
Young TN, Pearse A, Butler K, 'Indigenising Curricula: Lessons from Tourism Studies', CAUTHE 2011 National Conference Program and Proceedings. Tourism: Creating a Brilliant Blend, Adelaide, SA (2011) [E1]
|
Nova | |||
| 2010 |
Holbrook AP, Chen S, Bourke SF, Holmes KA, Butler K, ''I can tell that English is not your first language'. Examiner comments and recommendations on the theses of students with ESL', 9th Quality in Postgraduate Research : Educating Researchers for the 21st Century, Proceedings of the 2010 Quality in Postgraduate Research Conference, Adelaide (2010) [E3]
|
||||
| 2010 | Butler K, 'The doctoral journey as a means of (re)claiming Indigenous identity', AARE International Education Research Conference - 2010, Melbourne, Vic (2010) [E3] | ||||
| 2009 | Butler K, Young AF, 'Indigenisation of curricula: Intent, initiatives and implementation', Proceedings of AUQF2009: Internal & External Quality Assurance: Tensions & Synergies, Alice Springs, NT (2009) [E1] | Nova | |||
| Show 1 more conference | |||||
Other (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
Butler K, Kember H, McGrath S, Fam D, 'Partnering with First Nations Communities in planning - A case study', (2023)
|
Report (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
Butler K, Kember H, McGrath S, Biurra-Hoy I, Brooker C, Kelly R, 'Partnering with First Nations communities in City and Regional Planning', Greater Cities Commission (2023) [N1]
|
Nova | ||||||
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 5 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $482,780 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20211 grants / $145,461
Cultural adaptation and feasibility trial of ‘Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids’ for Indigenous Australian families to improve cardiovascular health$145,461
Funding body: National Heart Foundation of Australia
| Funding body | National Heart Foundation of Australia |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Philip Morgan, Doctor Lee Ashton, Associate Professor Kathleen Butler, Mr Nathan Towney, Doctor Myles Young |
| Scheme | Vanguard Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2022 |
| GNo | G2100327 |
| Type Of Funding | C1700 - Aust Competitive - Other |
| Category | 1700 |
| UON | Y |
20152 grants / $180,000
Sociology teaching and Indigenous issues$90,000
Funding body: Office for Learning and Teaching
| Funding body | Office for Learning and Teaching |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Associate Professor Kathleen Butler |
| Scheme | National Teaching Fellowship |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2015 |
| Funding Finish | 2016 |
| GNo | G1500933 |
| Type Of Funding | C1500 - Aust Competitive - Commonwealth Other |
| Category | 1500 |
| UON | Y |
Sociology teaching and Indigenous issues$90,000
Funding body: Office for Learning and Teaching
| Funding body | Office for Learning and Teaching |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Associate Professor Kathleen Butler |
| Scheme | National Teaching Fellowship |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2015 |
| Funding Finish | 2016 |
| GNo | G1500933 |
| Type Of Funding | C1500 - Aust Competitive - Commonwealth Other |
| Category | 1500 |
| UON | Y |
20111 grants / $150,309
Indigenous Research Higher Degree candidature in Australian universities: Exploring identity at the cultural interface$150,309
Funding body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Funding body | ARC (Australian Research Council) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Associate Professor Kathleen Butler, Emeritus Professor John Maynard |
| Scheme | Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2011 |
| Funding Finish | 2013 |
| GNo | G1000579 |
| Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
| Category | 1CS |
| UON | Y |
20091 grants / $7,010
Indigenisation of Curriculum in Sociology$7,010
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Associate Professor Kathleen Butler |
| Scheme | Indigenous Research Fellowship |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2009 |
| Funding Finish | 2009 |
| GNo | G0189723 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | PhD | The First Referendum in the Social Media Age: Issues for First Nations Journalists Working in the Mainstream Australian News Media | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2024 | PhD | What Additional Knowledge about the Bunya Mountain Travelling Routes, Songlines and Events is Held by Indigenous Elders? | PhD (Architecture), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2023 | PhD | Cultural Adaptation of Healthy Dads Healthy Kids (HDHK) for Indigenous Australian Families | PhD (Education), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2023 | PhD | Factors Identified in Indigenous Women Students’ Success in Higher Education: A Comparative Study to Implement Better Public Policies | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2022 | PhD | Challenges Of Aboriginal Language Teaching And Learning On The East Coast Of NSW | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2022 | PhD | Wisdom and Wise Teaching Practice in Aboriginal Art and Artefact Making: The Transmission of Knowledge through Aboriginal Art and Artefacts | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2021 | PhD | The Wollotuka Way: What are the Key Determinants that Lead to Individual and Communal Success at The University of Newcastle | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2020 | PhD | How do Systemic Criminalisation Processes Employed by Settler-Colonial States Impact on the Socio-Political Marginalisation of First Nations Peoples? | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2019 | PhD | Justifying Action on Climate Change: A Qualitative Analysis of Australian Climate Movement Organisations Post Paris Agreement 2015 | PhD (Management), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Consultant Supervisor |
Past Supervision
| Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | PhD | White Noise | PhD (Comm & Media Arts), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2019 | PhD | A Theatre of Post/Colonial Redaction: Mapping the Terrains of an Aboriginal Self | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2016 | PhD | A Theology of the Land Terra Australis from Christian - Aboriginal Perspectives | PhD (Theology), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
News
News • 30 May 2023
Australia-first research into First Nations and city planning
The Greater Cities Commission (the Commission), in partnership with University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute and the Institute for Regional Futures, has today launched the Partnering with First Nations Communities in City and Regional Planning research report.
News • 24 Feb 2022
Top-notch educators claim national University Teaching Awards
Honoured for their teaching excellence, four exceptional University of Newcastle academics have been selected—from a national pool—for a highly coveted University Teaching Award.
Associate Professor Kathleen Butler
Position
Head of Institute, Wollotuka Institute
Indigenous Education and Research
Academic Division
Focus area
Sociology and Anthropology
Contact Details
| kathleen.butler@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | (02) 49 217 747 |
| Fax | (02) 4348 4075 |
Office
| Room | Birabahn Building |
|---|---|
| Building | Birabahn Building |
| Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |
Connect with me
NEWS • May 30.2023
Australia-first research into First Nations and city planning
The Greater Cities Commission (the Commission), in partnership with University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute and the Institute for Regional Futures, has today launched the Partnering with First Nations Communities in City and Regional Planning research report.
NEWS • Feb 24.2022
Top-notch educators claim national University Teaching Awards
Honoured for their teaching excellence, four exceptional University of Newcastle academics have been selected—from a national pool—for a highly coveted University Teaching Award.