Celmara Pocock

Professor Celmara Pocock serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Resilient Regions and Director of the Centre for Heritage and Culture at the University of Southern Queensland, where she is also Associate Professor of Anthropology and Australian Indigenous Studies. With over two decades of experience bridging academic research and practical heritage management, Professor Pocock has established herself as an international leader in Heritage Studies. Her career spans significant roles in both academic institutions and heritage organizations, including former positions as Head of Cultures and Histories at Queensland Museum and Assistant Director of Indigenous Heritage for the Commonwealth Government.

Professor Pocock's educational background includes a BA(Hons) from the University of Western Australia, a Graduate Certificate in Education from James Cook University, and a PhD from James Cook University. Her research interests encompass Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, World Heritage and heritage tourism, critical heritage studies, museum studies, and the anthropology of space, place and environment. She has particular expertise in Great Barrier Reef heritage, Tasmania, and regional Queensland, with growing contributions to LGBTQIA+ heritage studies.

Her research demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in heritage management. Professor Pocock's work explores the intersections of cultural and natural heritage, examining how aesthetic values, sensory experiences, and emotional connections shape heritage interpretation and management. Recent projects have expanded into youth community futures, queer heritage practice, and the impacts of climate change on heritage places, reflecting her ability to address emerging challenges in the field.

• Member of the Queensland Heritage Council (2022-present)
• John Oxley Library Fellowship (2007)
• Ronel Erwee Postgraduate Research Supervision Award (University of Southern Queensland)

Professor Pocock has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students across diverse topics including Indigenous heritage, cultural displacement, reconciliation processes, and youth wellbeing. Her research has attracted significant funding, including Australian Research Council grants and industry partnerships. She has led major projects such as the Heritage Places Context Study Review and the First Nations Engagement Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Hub. Her work consistently bridges academic research with practical heritage management applications.

As Director of the Centre for Heritage and Culture, Professor Pocock leads a multidisciplinary team focused on critical heritage research, cultural conservation, and community engagement. The Centre works closely with Indigenous communities, government agencies, and cultural institutions to develop innovative approaches to heritage management that respect both traditional knowledge systems and contemporary challenges.