Susan Poetsch

Susan Poetsch is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Education and Social Work. She coordinates the Master of Indigenous Languages Education (MILE) program and teaches units related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, languages education, and the Indigenous Studies Major. Her work is deeply collaborative, conducted in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families, organizations, leaders, language experts, and educators.

Dr. Poetsch holds a PhD from the Australian National University (ANU), an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Sydney, a Grad Dip TEFL from Sydney, and a B.A. Dip. Ed. Primary from Macquarie University. Prior to her academic career at Sydney University, she served as a curriculum officer in the Board of Studies NSW, where she worked with Aboriginal community members, linguists, and school staff to implement the Aboriginal Languages K-10 Syllabus.

Susan Poetsch's research focuses on language reclamation and maintenance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers, learners, and communities. Her work spans several key areas including teacher education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, first and second language learning for Indigenous students, and linguistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages learning and teaching. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on Indigenous language revitalization, educational approaches for Indigenous language learners, and collaborative methodologies that center community knowledge and leadership.

Dr. Poetsch has received significant recognition for her work, including:

• 2023 MAK Halliday Prize for Outstanding Research from the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia
• 2022 University of Sydney Early-Mid Career Academic Network (SEMCAN) Good Mentor Award
• 2018 ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language student mobility award
• 2013 Faculty of Education & Social Work Teaching Excellence Award (Koori Centre Team Award)

In terms of mentorship, Susan Poetsch supervises research students including Keith LIN, who is researching "The Development of TESOL Postgraduate Students' Beliefs and Knowledge of Translanguaging through a Professional Development Program," and Iris MENZIES, who is studying "Supporting hidden multilingual Indigenous students in mainstream education: a case study in the East Kimberley." She is currently involved in significant research projects such as "Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language ecologies" (2021-2024), funded by the ARC Special Research Initiative, and "Teacher Education at the University of Sydney: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduates' Pathways and Impacts" (2022-2023).

Dr. Poetsch is actively engaged with numerous professional associations including the Applied Linguistics Association of Australasia, Australian Linguistics Society, Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities, First Languages Australia, Living Languages, Foundation for Endangered Languages, Australian Federation of Modern Languages Teachers' Associations, and ATESOLNSW. Her work demonstrates a deep commitment to collaborative research and education that centers Indigenous knowledge systems and language revitalization efforts.