Martin Thomas

Martin Thomas is a Professor of History at the School of History, The Australian National University (ANU). He specializes in Australian and trans-national cultural history, focusing on perceptions of place, cross-cultural encounters, and Indigenous histories. His work bridges academic research, documentary filmmaking, and oral history. Thomas holds a BA from the University of Sydney and a PhD from the University of Technology, Sydney.

His research explores themes such as the legacy of Australian anthropology, the history of exploration, and the repatriation of Indigenous ancestral remains. Notable projects include collaborative research with Arnhem Land Indigenous communities and the 1948 American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land. He has produced award-winning documentaries like Etched in Bone and authored influential books such as The Artificial Horizon and The Many Worlds of R. H. Mathews.

• Grants: Supported by the Australian Research Council (4 awards), Mellon Foundation, Screen Australia, and the Australia Council for the Arts.
• Visiting Appointments: Smithsonian Institution, University College Dublin, King’s College London.
• Teaching: Supervises students in exploration history, public history, and Indigenous history. Convenor of ANU’s Higher Degree by Research program.

Thomas advocates for Indigenous rights, particularly in repatriating ancestral remains, and his work challenges colonial narratives through interdisciplinary approaches combining history, anthropology, and media.