Sandy O'Sullivan

Sandy O'Sullivan is a Wiradjuri transgender/non-binary academic and artist holding the title of Professor and ARC Future Fellow at Macquarie University's School of Communication, Society and Culture. They lead the Saving Lives: Mapping the influence of Indigenous LGBTIQ+ creative artists project (2020-2025), exploring queer Indigenous identities' impact on wellbeing. Former roles include Deputy Head of School at the University of the Sunshine Coast and inaugural director of Batchelor Institute's Centre for Collaborative First Nations’ Research. Their research spans gender, museums, performance, and First Nations’ identity, with a focus on decolonizing practices and queer Indigenous futurism.

Education: PhD in Fine Art (University of Newcastle, 2006). Awards: 2020-2024 ARC Future Fellowship. Key projects include international museum representation research across 470 institutions and the Creative Barkly initiative mapping Northern Territory arts practices. Collaborations include the Museum Queeries collective in Canada and a national review of Indigenous dance/theatre makers for the Australia Council.

Research interests emphasize colonialism critiques, queer Indigenous methodologies, and arts-health intersections. Recent articles analyze queer Indigenous masculinities, trans joy in resisting colonial gender norms, and decolonial museum practices. Grants include ARC Linkage projects and fellowships. They balance academic work with a 40-year career as a musician, performer, and sound artist, engaging in national/international residencies and exhibitions.