Mandy Nicholson

Dr. Mandy Nicholson is a Senior Lecturer in First Peoples Perspectives in Design at the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne School of Design. A Wurundjeri artist and Traditional Custodian of Naarm (Melbourne), she specializes in embedding Indigenous perspectives into design, urban planning, and cultural heritage. Her work bridges art, architecture, and community engagement, emphasizing cultural safety in public spaces.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (2nd Class Honours) in Aboriginal Archaeology (2011)
• PhD (2023), researching connections to Country through 'On Country Off Country'.

Research & Practice: Her interdisciplinary work explores Indigenous design frameworks, language revival (Woiwurrung), and cultural revitalization. She has collaborated with architects, authored/co-authored academic papers, and led projects like the Murrum Turrukurruk ceremony revival (2015) and the Djirri Djirri dance group (2013). Affiliated with the Melbourne Centre for Cities.

Awards:

• 2022 Melbourne Awards (Ganbu Gullnj section) for cultural revitalization work.

Advocacy: Mentors First Nations youth in cultural practices and language. Her art business Tharangalk Art spans carvings, murals, and digital works, reflecting Wurundjeri cultural motifs.