Prof. John Maynard

Biography

I have concentrated on the intersections of Aboriginal political and social history, and the history of Australian race relations including significant contributions to the research fields of Australian Aboriginal history, race relations history and sports history both nationally and internationally, with a range of important research articles published in major peer-refereed journals, several books published including 'Aboriginal Stars of the Turf', 'Fight for Liberty and Freedom' and 'The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe'. My work examining the rise of organized Aboriginal political activism during the 1920s has been recognized as groundbreaking. My revelation that African American influence and inspiration (particularly, Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association) played a part in the rise of the early Aboriginal political movement has challenged the previous misconception that it was largely non-Indigenous Christian and humanitarian influence that drove Aboriginal political mobilisation. A number of respected historians have recognised the importance of my work, Professor Henry Reynolds stating my work 'has made a major contribution to Australian historiography':

'He has brought to life several major figures of the 1920s and has discovered much hitherto unknown material about Aboriginal politics. Interpretations can never be the same again. Mr Maynard has found this material by carrying out extensive research often among sources not hitherto used. This is a major achievement'.

My areas of research have been diverse and varied. At the heart of my work has been a driving passion and desire to play a part in revealing previously missing important chapters in Aboriginal history.

I left school at the age of fifteen in 1969 and did not enter the University environment until 1994. As such the progress I have made academically has all been achieved in a short space of time. I have achieved a Diploma (Aboriginal Studies - University of Newcastle), Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies - University of South Australia) and was awarded my PhD with the University of Newcastle in 2003. Initially taking the step to enter university itself was a barrier I found daunting. I did not have fond memories of my school years and I had to overcome hurdles of self doubt and fears that I had left it all far too late!

Once overcome, my enthusiasm and passion for the academic environment has witnessed consistent success with publications and competitive grants - all realised as an ECR and within the past ten years. In mid 2006 I accepted the position as Chair of Indigenous Studies and Director of Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle. Despite a formidable administrative workload, and extensive demands on my time, I have maintained my research productivity and output, with a total of six publications appearing or accepted for publication since my appointment.

I have established a wide network of contacts and advisors both nationally and internationally in my area of study. As an Indigenous researcher, I am highly aware of the responsibility of meeting community expectations and demands and making myself available to assist in any way I can in community directives and aspirations. Over the course of the past decade I have been asked to sit on many advisory groups and bodies in areas of Indigenous knowledge, history and culture. This has enhanced and strengthened my commitment to research that benefits the Indigenous and broader community.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2003
• Bachelor of Arts, University of South Australia
• Diploma in Aboriginal Studies, University of Newcastle, 1996

Research

Research keywords

• Aboriginal Culture and Language
• Aboriginal Health
• Aboriginal History
• Aboriginal Studies
• History
• International race Relations
• Oral History
• Politics
• Sporting History
• inter-relationships between Aboriginal men and white women

Research expertise

I have in a relatively short space of time established a significant research record that would be the envy of many. My areas of research have been diverse and varied. At the heart of my work lies a driving desire to play a part in the process of revealing previously missing important chapters in Aboriginal history. I have concentrated on the intersections of Aboriginal political and social history, and race relations. I am the author of five books, including Aboriginal Stars of the Turf, Fight for Liberty and Freedom and The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe.

My work on the rise of Aboriginal political activism in the 1920s and the influence of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association has been groundbreaking and has challenged the previous misconception that early Aboriginal activists were only influenced by white Christian, humanitarian and nationalistic reformers. My work exploring the history of Aboriginal jockeys in Australian horse racing exposed the myth of limited Aboriginal involvement in Australian racing. My study 'The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe' examined the missing history of Aboriginal soccer players the book was a highly commended Walkley Finalist and Deadly Finalist. A collaborative project with Associate Professor Victoria Haskins explores the racially sensitive and taboo topic of historical relationships between Aboriginal men and white women. My two major current studies (1) Land, Children and Politics - the comparative history of Native American and Aboriginal political history 1900-1930 and (2) Serving Our Country the history of Aboriginal servicemen and women from the Boer War to the present.

I am regularly sought as a speaker at important forums and conferences both nationally and internationally. I have presented seminars at several prominent universities including Macquarie University, Australian National University, Flinders University, Wellesley College, Boston University, Harvard University and the Universite de La Rochelle in France on Aboriginal political activism.

I have had articles published in several prominent journals including Aboriginal History, Australian Historical Studies, Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society and Cultural Survival Quarterly in the United States. I have had six books published including Aboriginal Stars of the Turf which was launched at Randwick race course in 2002 amidst widespread media interest including a half page spread in the Weekend Australian. The success the book generated necessitated in it being revised and expanded only six months after release. My thesis on the life of my grandfather Fred Maynard and the rise of early Aboriginal activism in the 1920s has been reworked and been accepted for publication in 2007 as For Liberty and Freedom Fred Maynard and the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association.

Additionally my research success has been instrumental in my being asked to sit on several important advisory bodies and committees such as AIATSIS Council, NSW History Council, Vice Chancellors Indigenous Advisory Council, Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association and Advisory Committee for the Centre for Indigenous History at the Australian Nation

Collaboration

I have acquired considerable experience in Aboriginal affairs and research, both within the institutional framework and at a grassroots Aboriginal community level.

Twelve years ago I played a role in establishing close working relationships between Wollotuka and the University of Newcastle Research Branch and its staff. This relationship established grant-writing workshops for Aboriginal academics and students and was responsible for Wollotuka and its research arm Umulliko achieving near 70% success with ARC grant applications.

In my capacity as Director I am regularly contacted by members of other faculties and schools for advice, guidance, input or thoughts regarding research grant applications, publications, projects or presentations where there is an Indigenous focus. I see these developments as crucial in promoting our Centres capacity to work constructively with other Schools and Faculties in developing and implementing research and teaching initiatives relevant to the field of Indigenous Studies, and facilitating cross university collaboration that enhances cultural understanding, as an integral component of the Universities strategic direction.

From the viewpoint of a historian I am extremely well placed with the University of Newcastle with colleagues in the history department with strong reputations working in the area of Aboriginal history. They include Emeritus Professor John Ramsland, Professor Lyndall Ryan, Professor Hilary Carey and Dr Victoria Haskins. These are people I have worked and collaborated with in the past and are always available for advice and discussion. My commitment to collaborative initiatives has not been confined to the University of Newcastle alone. I have played a prominent role in pushing Innovative Research Universities Australia (IRUA) Indigenous Centres, meeting and forging an alliance of teaching and research collaboration. I have collaborated with many groups on projects in recent years, including the NSW Board of Studies, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, NSW Department of Education, Reconciliation Australia, NSW State Library and the NSW History Council. I believe in the importance of Indigenous community collaboration in the research process and I have had the good fortune to have conducted research work with and within many Aboriginal communities urban, rural and remote. I feel the very strong desire to deliver my research findings to Aboriginal people and communities.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Council Member - Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Member - AIATSIS
• Executive - Australian Historical Association Executive Council
• Member - Australian Vice Chancellors Committee on Indigenous Higher Education
• Council Member - NSW History Council

Learned Academy.

• Fellow - AIATSIS Research Advisory Council (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS))

Appointments

ARC College of Experts ARC (Australia)	01/01/2010
Executive Committee Australian Historical Association (Australia)	01/01/2002 - 01/01/2004
Advisory Council Indigenous History Centre ANU (Australia)	01/01/2004
Advisory Committee AIATSIS Research Committee (Australia)	01/01/2006 - 01/01/2007
Council AIATSIS (Australia)	01/07/2006
Council Member Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (Australia)	01/01/2007
Council NSW History Council (Australia)	01/01/2007
Advisory Committee Vice Chancellors Committee Indigenous Higher Education (Australia)	01/01/2007

Awards

ANU Allan Martin History Lecturer

2010	Allan Martin History Lecturer Australian National University (Australia) The Allan Martin History Lecture is a prestigious award to a prominent historian to spend a week at ANU delivering the Allan Martin Lecture.

Honours.

2007	NSW Premiers Indigenous History Fellowship NSW History Council (Australia) NSW Premiers Indigenous History Fellowship
2005	Visiting Scholar Boston University, MA, USA (United States) Visiting Scholar - African American Studies
2001	Visiting History Fellow Flinders University (Australia) Visiting History Fellow
1998	Deans Order of Merit List University of South Australia (Australia) Deans Order of Merit List University of South Australia
1998	Golden Key National Honours Society Univerdsity of South Australia (Australia) Golden Key National Honours Society
1996	Visiting History Fellow ANU (Australia) Visiting History fellow
1996	Stanner Fellowship ANU (Australia) The Stanner Fellowship - ANU
1995	Jack Doherty Scholarship University of Newcastle (Australia) Jack Doherty Scholarship

Recognition.

2000	Senior Education Award - Newcastle Awabakal Awards Awabakal (Australia) Senior Education Award Newcastle Awabakal Awards

Research Award.

2012	Vice Chancellors Researcher of the Year University of Newcastle (Australia) Vice Chancellors Researcher of the Year
2012	Vice Chancellors Award for Research Excellence University of Newcastle (Australia) Vice Chancellors Award for Research Excellence - The book 'The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe' has been a Deadly Finalist for Literature and a highly commended finalist for the 2012 Walkley Awards.
2008	Vice Chancellors Researcher of the Year University of Newcastle (Australia) University of Newcastle – Vice Chancellor’s Award for Researcher of the Year 2008 ($10,000)
2008	• University of Newcastle – Faculty of Education and Arts Research Excellence Awards – Faculty of E University of Newcastle (Australia) Faculty Researcher Award for my book 'Fight for Liberty and Freedom'. The book was shortlisted as a finalist for the Victorian Premiers History Award

Invitations

Keynote Address University of Newcastle, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2006
Taking Charge of Our Own Destiny In the Footsteps of Fred Maynard NSW Reconciliation, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2006
The Journey Federation Shared Future Reconciliation Australia, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2001
ANZSANA Conference Harvard University, United States (Invited speaker)	2005
Aboriginal History African American Studies Centre - Wellesley College, United States (Invited speaker)	2003
Blacks and Asians: Encounters Through Time Conference African American Studies Centre Boston University, United States (Invited speaker)	2002
Guest lecture series Cunard, United Kingdom (Invited speaker)	2001
Here's Looking at You Conference Universite de la Rochelle, France (Invited speaker)	2005
Radio commentator ABC, SBS, Australia (Radio)	2007
Television documentary commentator ABC, SBS, Ronin Films, Australia (Television Documentaries)	2007

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

In mid 2006 I was appointed Professor and Chair of Indigenous Studies and Head of Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle. This appointment has accelerated my administrative workload and experience at all levels.

I have in the course of the past ten years gained wide experience in taking part in and observing university administration procedures at all levels. I have sat on several important review, advisory, and committee groups at department, faculty and university level. I have been sought after on several occasions for comment on university directive and administration re Indigenous direction and impact. These include consultation and input with the successful University of Newcastle bid for an Indigenous super centre of research ultimately Umulliko Centre for Indigenous Higher Education Research, the planning and construction of the new Biraban Indigenous Education Centre at the University of Newcastle and the establishment of the Aboriginal employment policy at the University of Newcastle. Additionally at a national level I have gained wide experience from sitting on several important committees and bodies, including AIATSIS Council, NSW History Council, Vice Chancellors Indigenous Advisory Council, Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association, Advisory Committee for the Centre for Indigenous History at the Australian National University and the Indigenous Advisory Committee to Belonging A Century Celebrated Exhibition jointly conducted by The National Library of Australia, Australian Museum, National Gallery, the Victorian State Library and the NSW State Library. Again I emphasise my added experience of more than a decade of running my own business and dealing with the everyday administrative issues involved especially maintaining a tight and efficient budge

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Aboriginal Culture and Language
• Aboriginal Health
• Aboriginal History
• Aboriginal Studies
• History
• International race relations
• Oral History
• Politics
• Sporting History
• inter-relationships between Aboriginal men and white women

Teaching expertise

I am a skilled teacher at all levels of university teaching, from first year to PhD students. As a teacher I have learned a variety of skills, including delivery (lecturing and tutoring), supervising, marking and assessment, arranging guest lecturers and excursions, consulting, and teaching with tutorial assistance.

I have developed my own philosophy and methods of teaching. This centers on a fluid approach to the needs of student learning. I strongly believe that education is a tool that can draw out peoples abilities. I encourage the students from the outset to question previous and current understanding of both social and historical issues. I feel my strongest point is my ability to hold an audience as an engaging storyteller. I have from the outset embraced new technology and have utilised aids like power point as a means of keeping students engaged.

I have clearly defined criteria for marking and the assessment tasks are always explained and clearly connected to the aims of the courses I conduct. It is of critical importance that students can clearly see what it is expected, and after marking, where their strengths and weaknesses lie.

I am extremely flexible in regard to student consultations (that is, I don t have set times, but am generally available). The students can contact me via phone, email or dropping by, and if I am busy they can make an appointment to see me. I do not find consulting arduous or particularly time-consuming, which is why I dont have set hours. I do tell the students in the initial lectures and tutorials the times when I am not available, and the optimum times for catching me.

I currently have ten postgraduate students under supervision. I have taken to the task with the same professionalism I employ with my research work. All students are individuals and require different kinds of supervision, from those wanting a lot of discipline, regular deadlines and tasks, to those who are highly independent workers. I work out the process of supervision by discussion with each student and regularly check that it is working. I have also learnt to judge a students commitment and abilities at the start of a project and am very confident about the progress of my students. I believe that regular consultation with both the students and co-supervisors about progress is instrumental along with offers to read draft chapters in providing steadfast encouragement. I believe it is important to be responsive to students and their needs.