Teaching on Darug Country: with Associate Professor Neil Harrison

The Teaching Technologies, Innovation Support Unit (TTISU) in UTS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is pleased to present Associate Professor Neil Harrison (Macquarie University) speaking about Teaching on Darug Country: developing a rationale for what we do in (Indigenous) education.

Abstract

Over the many years of teaching in the north of Australia, I had grown complacent about the need to contextualise my teaching on Country. When I arrived in Sydney in 2007, I was again reminded of the recurring issue of education: how can Indigenous knowledges (and intercultural competencies) be represented in higher education curricula? Not long after I moved to Sydney, a 9-year old girl at a public school in the inner west demonstrated a way forward for this dilemma, and this is the approach that I have taken since she and I were first introduced by the principal. Rather than focusing on the final product, the student refocused my attention on developing sustainable partnerships on Country. This presentation will outline some of the ways in which I have attempted to do this through my teaching on Darug Country. I will demonstrate how these partnerships rely on listening and belonging. And above all, I will highlight the importance of each university lecturer developing a rationale for what she or he says and does in the field of Indigenous education.

Catering will be provided, but limited to those who have registered.TTISU is keen to meet your dietary requirements so, please RSVP here by Monday 14th May 9am.