School of Teacher Education
Dr Shayne Williams
Senior Lecturer
ADip (Ad Edu), UTS, BEd (Ad Edu) UTS, MEd (Ad Edu) UTS, PhD Deakin
Dr Shayne Williams
Bio
I come from the Aboriginal Community of La Perouse in Sydney. Our community is located on the Northern Peninsula of Kamay (Botany Bay) close to the beaches that ring the inner shores of the bay. As with my father, I am through my grandmother’s culture Dharawal (Koori) and through my grandfather’s culture Gomilaroi (Murri). Additionally though my paternal great Grandfather I maintain a strong cultural link to the Goulburn River region in Victoria (Koorie). In bond with my mother, I am likewise Dharawal (Koori) through my grandmother’s culture and Dhungutti (Goorie) through my grandfather’s culture.
My post secondary education began in 1989 when I gradated with a Certificate of Business Studies through Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative College in Glebe, Sydney. I then gained, in 1993, an Associate Diploma in Adult Education through the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). I followed this in 1996 with a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education (UTS), and then in 1999 with a Masters of Education in Adult Education (UTS). My final degree, a Doctor of Philosophy, was awarded in October 2007 through Deakin University on the basis of my thesis: Indigenous values informing curriculum and pedagogical praxis.
Research
Since 1991 I have been actively involved in Indigenous research. As an Indigenous researcher my prime objective has always been to contribute proactively to the establishment, recognition and legitimation of culturally founded Indigenous research methodologies at the level of theory, and the advancement of such methodologies at the level of praxis. My key motivations are Indigenous empowerment, Indigenous self-determination and the validation of Indigenous knowledges as Indigenous academy within its own right. Specifically, within this, my research interests centre on the socio-cultural/socio-political landscape of formal education structures, especially in terms of curriculum and pedagogical praxis, and the social, cultural and political dynamics of culturally empowered Indigenous education.
Teaching
As an Indigenous educator my formal academic teaching focuses on Indigenous studies, that is the social, cultural and political circumstance, history and perspectives of Indigenous Australia and Indigenous education, which likewise pertains to the circumstance, history and perspectives of Indigenous Australia apropos education. As an Indigenous educator I am also strongly committed to Indigenous community controlled cultural education.
Professional Engagement
I am currently a member of CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society’s (ILWS) Advisory Board. I am also an Indigenous Committee member for the Regional Advisory Committee, South Sydney Region, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and have recently accepted a role with the NPWS Greater Blue Mountains Wilderness Area Indigenous Reference Group.
Publications
Some of my key publications are:-
- Williams, S. (2007) Indigenous values informing curriculum and pedagogical praxis, PhD Thesis, Deankin University, Geelong, VIC.
- Williams, S. unpub., Being an Indigenous researcher, Indigenous Research Forum, HDR Summer School, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, February, 2005
- Williams, S. (2001) 'The Indigenous Health Worker: Can research enhance their development as health and Community Development Professionals, Aboriginal and islander health Worker Journal, vol. 25, no.1, pp.9-15
- Williams, S. (initial compiler) (1996) Some issues in Indigenous adult health and education training: An annotated bibliography' in N. Bechervaise ed., An examination of pedagogical issues in Indigenous higher education and training underpinning the development of culturally appropriate module-based education programs, St Clair Press, Rozelle, NSW
- Ardler, S. et al. (1993) We're under this great stress and we need to speak out: Reflections on the Shoalhaven Aboriginal education project, Paper presented at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference - Education, University of Wollongong, NSW.