Dr Shannon Faulkhead
Dr Shannon Faulkhead is a Koorie woman from Mildura and Head of First Peoples Research and Collections at the Museums Victoria Research Institute. She is responsible for the care of, and community access to, the Museum’s Australian and international First Peoples collections, including repatriation.
Dr Faulkhead is an experienced researcher with a PhD in Indigenous Studies from Monash University. Her PhD research considers the access, interpretation and integration of Koorie narratives from both Koorie oral traditions and archival institutions, and the issue of cultural and political bias in mainstream narratives. Shannon has held several research and archival positions at Monash University, including as the Finkel Fellow (Senior Research Fellow) with the Monash Country Lines Archive program between 2011 and 2019, researching the use of 3D animation in preserving language and knowledge. Prior to joining Monash University, Dr Faulkhead worked for many years at the Koorie Heritage Trust, including as CEO from 2002 to 2003.
Dr Faulkhead’s research passion is working with communities to create a shared space working relationships that respects and recognises differing world views.
An established author and cultural critic, Dr Faulkhead co-authored the publication Power and the Passion: Our ancestors return home with Uncle Jim Berg, Gunditjmara Elder and founder of the Koorie Heritage Trust. Originally published in 2010, the book was revised in 2022 to include several additional chapters.
Dr Faulkhead holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies from Monash University, a Bachelor of Arts (Librarianship) from Ballarat University College; a Graduate Diploma Natural and Cultural Heritage Interpretation from Deakin University and a Graduate Certificate Applied Science, Environment and Heritage Interpretation from Deakin University.