Michael Pickering

Dr. Michael Pickering is an Honorary Professor at Hokkaido University and holds an affiliation with the University of Cologne. He is based at the Centre for Heritage & Museum Studies within the Research School of Humanities & the Arts at Australian National University (ANU). His work focuses on repatriation of Indigenous cultural materials, First Nations cultural values, and museum ethics. He has collaborated extensively with Indigenous communities on repatriation practices and policy development.

Research interests include the intersection of cultural heritage management, colonial legacies, and Indigenous rights. His work emphasizes practical ethics, decolonizing museum practices, and the impact of repatriation on community wellbeing. Pickering has contributed to policy frameworks such as the A Repatriation Handbook and has critically evaluated issues like the role of auction houses in ancestral remains trafficking.

Publications span over four decades, with recent work addressing contemporary challenges in repatriation including health and safety protocols for sensitive materials. His earlier research explored historical narratives like cannibalism in ethnographic records, revealing colonial biases in documentation.

While no formal scientific awards are listed, his contributions have shaped international conversations on cultural repatriation. Grants and advising activities are not detailed in the provided information. He is actively engaged with institutions like the National Museum of Australia, emphasizing hands-on collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders.