Sarah Wright

Professor Sarah Wright is a leading scholar in geography and development studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Her academic role combines research, teaching, and community engagement focused on Indigenous ontologies, climate justice, and critical development. She holds a PhD from the University of Washington and a BSc (Honours) from the University of Sydney.

Her research emphasizes Indigenous-led methodologies, particularly through collaborations with Yolŋu and Gumbaynggirr communities. Key projects include the Bawaka Collective, which challenges colonial frameworks by centering Country as co-author, and Yandaarra, exploring Gumbaynggirr practices of caring for Country. She also works with Filipino farmer-led movements, such as MASIPAG, advocating for food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture.

Publications highlight weather as a political and ontological force, Indigenous knowledge systems, and decolonial praxis. Notable works include Becoming Weather: Weather, Embodiment and Affect (2025) and chapters on songspirals as research tools. Awards recognize her contributions to teaching and research, including the Eva Powell Award (2014) and Academic Staff Excellence (2013).

Teaching focuses on critical development and human geography, emphasizing collaborative, place-based learning. She has developed curricula integrating Indigenous knowledge and global south perspectives. Grants support fieldwork in Australia and the Philippines, fostering partnerships between academia, NGOs, and Indigenous groups.

Key collaborations include the Bawaka Collective, Yandaarra, and work with Wagiman Women Rangers. Her labs and teams prioritize ethical co-production of knowledge, resisting extractive research practices.