Heidi Norman

Professor Heidi Norman is a distinguished academic at the University of New South Wales, affiliated with the School of Arts, Design & Architecture. As a descendant of the Gomeroi people from north western NSW, her work focuses on Aboriginal political history, land rights, and Indigenous governance. She serves as the founding Director of the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group and previously held leadership roles including Associate Dean (Indigenous) at University of Technology Sydney from 2020-2023.

Professor Norman holds a PhD in History & Anthropology from the University of Sydney. Her scholarly work bridges history, anthropology, political-economy, and cultural studies to advance understanding of Aboriginal social, cultural, economic and political history.

Her research interests span Aboriginal land rights, Indigenous governance, climate justice, and Australian politics. Professor Norman seeks to illuminate Aboriginal citizens' relationship with the state and settler society, with particular focus on land justice and supporting Aboriginal peoples' rightful place in political institutions, society, and the economy as landholders.

Professor Norman's scientific achievements include:

• Finalist, Chancellor's Medal for Research Excellence, University of Technology Sydney (2021)
• Discovery Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award, Australian Research Council (2018)
• ABC's Top 5 Humanities Researchers (2018)
• Vice Chancellor's Medal for Research Excellence through Collaboration, University of Technology Sydney (2015)
• National Award for Teaching Excellence: Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education (2015)
• Gough Whitlam Research Fellowship (2017-18)

Professor Norman has secured significant research funding including three ARC grants totaling $1.3 million and over $400,000 in research consultancies from NSW and Federal government. Her current research examines Aboriginal self-determination policies and enables Aboriginal landholders to participate in climate adaptation. She actively contributes to Indigenous advancement through service on the First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Group and Steering Committee for the First Nations Clean Energy Network.