This week I attended the Indigenous Sociology for Social Impact workshop convened by Associate Professor Kathleen Butler, who has written extensively about what it means to be an Aboriginal woman in Australian sociology.

Professor Butler reflected on her evolving research on sociological teaching. She has analysed the topics covered in higher education sociology courses around Australia, and finds that there is almost no focus on Indigenous scholarship. ⠀
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We discussed that sociology as a discipline actively perpetuates colonialism in our citing conventions, theories, and methods, which we continue to pass onto students. These exclude Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, or denigrate their knowlege.⠀
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We reflected on how Western colonial practices are embedded into the way in which we learn, research, and reflect on what it means to do sociology.

Professor Butler invited Indigenous and non Indigenous sociologists to discuss the racism in our discipline that is unnamed but directly impacting on the educational and career outcomes of Indigenous scholars. She discussed how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and methods can be used to reimagine sociology, to centre First Peoples’ leadership. She calls this ‘Indigenising’ sociology.

Prof Butler did an inspired job of bringing together researchers from very different career pathways and practices. Prof Butler used a methodology drawing on Aboriginal yarning circles to allow open ended discussion and ideas to flow easily.

This is one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended with strong, honest anti-racist critical analysis not catered to white sensibilities and good will to keep the momentum going. Can’t wait to do more. You can see my live tweeting of the event on my Twitter (@OtherSociology), using #IndiginisingSoc

I’ll also be writing a blog post on my contribution for the University of New South Wales.

The workshop was held on 27-28 October, 2016, at the University of Newcastle, on the lands of the Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations.