Suzi Hutchings

Professor Suzi Hutchings is a Central Arrernte woman and a senior Indigenous academic at Swinburne University of Technology, where she holds the position of Professor Indigenous Research Development at the Moondani Toombadool Centre. She has held academic roles at the University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and RMIT University, where she was Associate Professor until February 2024. Her work bridges anthropology, Indigenous knowledges, and public policy, with a strong focus on decolonization and social justice for First Nations peoples.

Her research interests include:

• Anthropology and Indigenous Studies
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sociological Studies
• Native Title and Land Rights
• Decolonizing Methodologies
• Indigenous Hip-Hop and Cultural Expression
• Therapeutic Practices and Cultural Safety

Her recent publications (2018–2024) demonstrate a consistent interdisciplinary focus on the intersection of Indigenous identity, resistance, and institutional power. She explores how Indigenous knowledges challenge colonial frameworks in law, policy, music therapy, and digital media. Her work often centers on the agency of Indigenous peoples in asserting sovereignty and cultural continuity.

Her scientific awards include:

• Endeavour Award for Indigenous Australians (2013)
• ARC Indigenous Discovery (2011)
• Enabling Capability Platform Funding (2019, RMIT)
• DSC DRA 2023 Proposal Scheme (2021, RMIT)
• Multiple Indigenous Staff Travel Grants
• Fellowship from the Australian Anthropological Society (2002–2024)

Suzi Hutchings is actively involved in supervision and research leadership. She is available to supervise PhD candidates and currently leads the internal grant 'Pathways for integrating On-Country learning and Indigenous Knowledges methodologies into Indigenous HDR Projects' at Swinburne (2025–2025). She has served on numerous committees, including the RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee, the Australian Anthropological Society Presidential Team (2021–2023), and the Ilbijerri Theatre Board. She also produces and hosts community radio programs, including Subway Sounds on PBS 106.7FM.