Dima Rusho

Dr Dima Rusho is a Research Fellow at the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre (MISC) within Monash University's School of Philosophical, Historical, and International Studies. Her work focuses on Indigenous language interpreting in legal contexts, decolonial methodologies, and the socio-political dimensions of language in Australia's Northern Territory. She holds a PhD from Monash University (2021) and multiple undergraduate degrees including a Bachelor of Pharmacy (1999) and dual Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Letters (2015-2016).

Research Interests: Her interdisciplinary research bridges linguistics, law, and Indigenous studies, emphasizing:

• Indigenous language preservation and revitalization
• Decolonial approaches to interpreting/translation
• Language and knowledge systems in Australian Indigenous contexts

Key Projects:

• "Optimising The Availability and Provision of Indigenous Language Interpreting in Circuit Courts" (Primary Investigator, 2022-2024)
• "Evaluation of the Justice-based Impacts of the Public Intoxication Reform" (Chief Investigator, 2023-2025)

Awards:

• European Union Award for Excellence (2014)
• Monash Graduate Excellence Scholarship (2017)
• Monash Faculty of Arts Honours Merit (2016)

Professional Contributions: Member of Monash University's Human Research Ethics Committee. Active in academic networks like the Australian Linguistics Society and ANU's Identity & Ways of Knowing initiative. Engages in public outreach through panels on language and social inclusion.

Research Trajectory: Recent work critiques neutrality in interpreting services, examines legal system impacts of language barriers, and explores intersections between cultural identity and linguistic practice.