Australia’s Indigenous people have rich and ancient traditions relating to the stars, which informed social practices, sacred law, and ceremony, and were used for navigation, calendars, hunting, fishing, and gathering.
The Nura Gili Indigenous Programs Unit at the University of New South Wales in Sydney is the national leader in teaching and research in this area and our program is dedicated to increasing our understanding of the intricate and complex ways in which astronomical knowledge is encoded in oral traditions and material culture. We have staff, students, and educators teaching, researching, and sharing various aspects of Indigenous astronomical knowledge with the public.
Our Teaching
Dr Duane Hamacher developed new undergraduate courses on Indigenous Science and Indigenous astronomy for Nura Gili. The units are part of the Indigenous Studies major and are available to all UNSW students as General Education units. Both courses are taught by Dr Hamacher in Semester 1 of each year. International exchange and study abroad students from any academic background are encouraged to enroll.
- ATSI 2015: The Science of Indigenous Knowledge: Explore the various ways in which scientific information is encoded within traditional Indigenous knowledge systems, including astronomy, weather and climate, ecology, bush medicines, mathematical systems, geological events, and fire practices. Guest speakers, including academics and elders, bring a unique perspective the course, which uses an interactive "inverted classroom" approach.
- ATSI 3006: The Astronomy of Indigenous Australians: Learn about the ways in which Indigenous understood and utilised the stars in an interactive classroom environment, develop your knowledge of naked-eye astronomy in Sydney Observatory's digital planetarium. and conduct original research and use your findings to create a planetarium show, curate an exhibit, produce educational materials, or film a documentary.
Our Research
Research at Nura Gili covers a range of projects on Indigenous astronomy. We work closely with Aboriginal and Islander communities, educators, and industry partners, and collaborate with researchers and teams at Macquarie University, Curtin University, and Griffith University. Some of our research projects are as follows:
Rediscovering Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge
Professor Martin Nakata and Dr Duane Hamacher are leading a collaboration with UNSW’s School of Computer Science & Engineering, Microsoft Research, and the State Library of New South Wales, to develop a public online repository for astronomical knowledge accessible to Indigenous communities worldwide, with additional information sourced from institutions and collections. Martin is also working closely with UNSW’s College of Fine Arts (COFA) to produce cutting-edge visual technologies for presenting this knowledge.
Exploring Astronomical Knowledge and Traditions in the Torres Strait
Dr Duane Hamacher was awarded a major grant from the Australian Research Council to study Torres Strait Islander astronomy. The purpose of this study is to chart Torres Strait Islander customs and traditions with a deep connection to the sun, moon, and stars. A well-researched and documented library of astronomical knowledge will help Islanders continue longstanding traditions in developing knowledge about their place in the world.
Wiradjuri Skies: Aboriginal Astronomy in central NSW
Trevor Leaman is conducting his PhD research on the astronomical knowledge and traditions of the Wiradjuri people of NSW. This project will see Trevor conducting ethnographic research with communities across the Central West of NSW. The project will expand our knowledge of Wiradjuri astronomy and provide educational materials for the community.
Aboriginal Astronomy in the Hunter Region of NSW
Emma McDonald is researching the astronomy of the Worimi, Awabakal, and Wonnarua people of the Hunter region, NSW for a BSc with Honours degree. Emma will study ethnohistoric records, archival documents, and museum artefacts to better understand the role of astronomy in these Aboriginal communities.
Aboriginal Astronomy, Environment, and Ecology
Plants, animals, and seasonal cycles were an important component of Indigenous astronomical traditions. This project examines the role animals and plants played in these traditions and how the stars informed the people of seasonal change, and the best times to hunt, fish, and gather.
ATSI 3006 Research Projects
Students enrolled in ATSI 3006 are undertaking small research projects on topics in Indigenous astronomy, including
- Aboriginal astronomy in the Sydney region
- Aboriginal astronomy in the Melbourne region
- Aboriginal astronomy in Tasmania
- Cultural astronomy in the Torres Strait
- Yuin Aboriginal astronomy (south coast NSW)
- Music, culture, and astronomical traditions
- Calendars and astronomy
- Astronomical symbolism in material culture
Our Team
Duane is an American and earned degrees in astrophysics and Indigenous studies, with a PhD thesis on Aboriginal astronomy. He joined Nura Gili staff to develop teaching and research programs in Indigenous astronomy and was awarded an ARC grant to study the astronomy of Torres Strait Islanders. He is also a consultant curator and astronomy educator at Sydney Observatory.
Professor Martin Nakata
Professor and Director of Nura Gili
Martin is an Indigenous Torres Strait Islander and the first Islander to earn a PhD in Australia. He is a national leader in Indigenous education and Indigenous knowledge, and published the book Disciplining the Savages - Savaging the Disciplines. He leads a project with Microsoft Research and the Mitchell Library to capture and record Indigenous astronomy for the WorldWide Telescope.
Professor and Director of Nura Gili
Martin is an Indigenous Torres Strait Islander and the first Islander to earn a PhD in Australia. He is a national leader in Indigenous education and Indigenous knowledge, and published the book Disciplining the Savages - Savaging the Disciplines. He leads a project with Microsoft Research and the Mitchell Library to capture and record Indigenous astronomy for the WorldWide Telescope.
Trevor Leaman
PhD Candidate (FASS – Environmental Humanities)
Trevor is researching the astronomy of the Wiradjuri people of central NSW under the supervision of Dr Hamacher. His Masters degree involved studying the astronomy of Aboriginal communities near Ooldea, South Australia. He earned degrees and diplomas in biology forestry, engineering, and astronomy, and is an astronomy educator at Sydney Observatory.
PhD Candidate (FASS – Environmental Humanities)
Trevor is researching the astronomy of the Wiradjuri people of central NSW under the supervision of Dr Hamacher. His Masters degree involved studying the astronomy of Aboriginal communities near Ooldea, South Australia. He earned degrees and diplomas in biology forestry, engineering, and astronomy, and is an astronomy educator at Sydney Observatory.
Emma McDonald
Honours Student (BEES – Environmental Science)
Honours Student (BEES – Environmental Science)
Emma is an Aboriginal Worimi woman from Port Stephens, NSW. She earned a degree in geology (with a minor in Aboriginal studies) and is pursuing an Honours project on the astronomy of Aboriginal communities in the Hunter region of NSW under the supervision of Dr Hamacher. She also works as a Discovery Ranger for National Parks & Wildlife.
Tui Britton
Consultant Science Communicator
Consultant Science Communicator
Tui is a Maori descendent of the Ngapuhi iwi of northern New Zealand. She was born in Christchurch and educated in Singapore, England, America, and Australia. She earned degrees in astrophysics and is finishing a PhD in radio astronomy. Tui produces educational units and writes popular articles and books on Indigenous astronomy and astrophysics. She is also an astronomy educator at Sydney Observatory
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You?!
We welcome passionate students wishing to enrol in our undergraduate units or pursue research projects for an Honours, Masters, or Doctoral degree. Interested parties should contact Dr Duane Hamacher. A list of potential projects and degree information can be found here.