Rediscovering the Deep Human Past Laureate Launched

Prof Ann McGrath’s new Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate programme was launched by Prof Raelene Francis, Dean of CASS, on 13th March. This project seeks to transform the scale and scope of history, incorporating Australian Indigenous epics about the ‘deep’ past with data from across the academic disciplines to tell a big picture history of Greater Australia.

Matilda House opened proceedings, welcoming Prof McGrath, her team and guests to her country and urging scholars to continue working with Aboriginal communities to understand Australia’s history.

Vice Chancellor, Brian Schmidt, introduced Prof Francis and spoke of ANU’s commitment to Aboriginal history and reconciliation and the value of ‘deep’ history for pressing concerns of today.

Prof Francis outlined Prof McGraths’s important contributions to Aboriginal history and how this project will push Australian history into new areas. She also welcomed and introduced the postdoctoral scholars working on the project, Dr Ben Silverstein and Dr Laura Rademaker.