Jesse Hodgetts

Dr. Jesse Hodgetts is a Senior Lecturer in Global Indigenous Studies at The Wollotuka Institute, University of Newcastle, specializing in Indigenous Education and Research. A Wangaaypuwan Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri man from Central and Western NSW, he brings ancestral knowledge and contemporary academic expertise to his work. His research bridges traditional cultural practices with modern educational frameworks, focusing on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Songlines, Language revitalization, and Kinship.

Education:

• Aboriginal Studies, University of Newcastle
• Master of Teaching, University of Newcastle
• PhD: 'Guthi Girrmara (Old Songs Waking Up): Reawakening Archived Wangaaypuwan and Wiradjuri songs to inform our Culture, Language and Identity'

Hodgetts' research centers on First Nations Cultural revitalization through Songlines, Language, and Kinship systems. He explores how traditional songs serve as vessels for cultural knowledge, connecting Country, identity, and intergenerational transmission. His work emphasizes decolonizing research methodologies and centering Indigenous voices in academic discourse. As both a cultural practitioner and academic, he develops frameworks for Indigenous-led song documentation and language revitalization that respect cultural protocols while adapting to contemporary contexts.

His scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on Indigenous musicology, language documentation, and cultural revitalization. The publications demonstrate methodological innovation in representing Indigenous knowledge systems through culturally appropriate frameworks rather than Western academic conventions. A recurring theme is the development of Mayi (Aboriginal) terminology for discussing songs within their cultural context, challenging Western musicological approaches. His work bridges archival research with community-based application, particularly in language reclamation efforts.

Scientific Awards:

• 3rd Place 3MT Competition, University of Newcastle (2021)
• Musicology Society Indigenous Postgraduate Prize, Musicology Australia (2019)

Hodgetts actively supervises five PhD candidates and has completed one supervision, focusing on topics including Aboriginal music in digital platforms, language revitalization, land management, and cultural education. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as 'Aboriginal Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing' and 'Aboriginal Cultural Immersion,' which emphasize experiential learning through storytelling, art, weaving, dance, and language. As a trained secondary teacher with experience in Aboriginal communities and juvenile justice settings, he brings practical educational insights to his academic work. His creative practice as a singer of traditional Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri songs informs his scholarly approach, creating a unique integration of cultural practice and academic research.