Carroll Go-Sam

Carroll Go-Sam is a Dyirbal gumbilbara bama from Ravenshoe, North Queensland and holds a B.Arch (Hons) from The University of Queensland (UQ, 1997). She currently serves as Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at UQ, with affiliations to the Centre of Architecture, Theory, Criticism and History (ATCH). Her work bridges architectural practice with Indigenous research, focusing on public/civic architecture, Indigenous-led housing models, and cultural sustainability.

Key projects include the Gununa Futures research initiative (2022-2024) and UQ’s Campuses on Countries Design Framework (2020-21). She has led studies on Indigenous housing in remote regions, including Torres Strait water infrastructure and the impacts of crowding on health. Previously, she was Indigenous Design Place researcher (2017-2019) and contributed to the ARC Discovery Indigenous Award-winning project (2014-2016).

Her research explores intersections of Indigeneity with architecture, including yarning circles, cultural safety in design, and decolonizing architectural education. She has presented globally at forums like SAHANZ, IASTE, and the Brisbane Writers Festival.

Notable awards include the ARC Discovery Indigenous Award for her work on regionalism’s impact on Aboriginal housing. Grants include funding for the Gununa Futures and Pilyii Papulu Purrukaj-ji health-housing studies. She collaborates with communities to design culturally responsive frameworks, emphasizing Indigenous agency and self-determination.

Her academic contributions span over 50 publications, including books on traditional Indigenous architecture, peer-reviewed journals on housing equity, and creative works like Resisting Brisbane. She co-leads interdisciplinary teams addressing urgent issues in Indigenous urban design and public health.