Professor (Dr) Julie Andrews OAM

Professor Julie Andrews is descended from the Yorta Yorta; Wiradjuri and Wurundjeri Woiwurrung peoples. She is a proud member of the Briggs family and Dhulunyagan clan.

She has a PhD in anthropology and is a published academic. She led the development of La Trobe University’s Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre, of which she is now Director.

Julie is also Academic Director for Indigenous Research at La Trobe University. She has advised and contributed to many higher education policy initiatives. She is acknowledged by her peers and Indigenous community as a leading Aboriginal Victorian scholar.

Julie developed the first Aboriginal Studies Introduction subject. Several thousand La Trobe University students have completed it. She is Chair of the Aboriginal Studies Indigenous Strategy Committee and Convenor of Aboriginal Studies (Humanities and Social Sciences).

Julie has led several research projects on urban and regional Aboriginal families and community identity and cultural/social mobility.

She is leading a team of Aboriginal researchers, scientists and planners on natural disasters for land and water for Transport for New South Wales.

She is also involved in research for the Traditional Owners of the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples on women’s fire knowledge and the Lake Boort area.

Julie supervises and mentors Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal postgraduate students. She is an expert adviser on Indigenous autobiography, research ethics, community development and higher education curriculum and policy.

Her political awakening began at home with her large Aboriginal family. They contributed to the development of many Aboriginal organisations in Melbourne and Shepparton.

Julie attended the Black Community School in Townsville in the 1970s with Eddie and Bonita Mabo AO. While a student she was part of the influential student activism that built the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education at La Trobe University as we know it today.