Desert Voices take centre stage at sixth Symposium

Knowledge holders and desert researchers have shared their stories this year at the 2023 Knowledge Intersections Symposium in Alice Springs.

Co-hosted by Charles Darwin University (CDU), Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) and Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA), the Symposium showcases the diversity of arid lands research and knowledge.

This year’s Symposium theme, ‘Desert Voices’ explored the role that Country along with the people who live on Country, have in sharing their knowledge stories.

The annual Symposium provides a platform for researchers, educators, and local organisations to come together and exchange knowledge to advance research, learning and progress in the region. While giving many early-career researchers and PhD students a forum to present locally.

CDU Senior Education Lecturer Felicity McLure said the Symposium was a great platform for researchers to gain confidence in presenting and learn from each other.

“The Knowledge Intersections Symposium offers a unique platform for researchers from all areas of academia to come together, share their insights, and learn from each other," Mrs McLure said.

The 2023 KIS program celebrated some of the region’s best work in education, research, language, health and desert systems across two concurrent knowledge steams with most presentations exploring First Nations knowledge and research.

DKA CEO Jimmy Cocking led a workshop in the afternoon on Desert Research Impact and is looking forward to growing the impact of desert research.

“Desert Knowledge Australia is pleased to have co-hosted the sixth edition of the Knowledge Intersections Symposium. This is a special event that allows for desert knowledge holders and researchers to share their impact," Mr Cocking said.

This year’s Keynote Speaker was Alyawarre woman and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) Executive Dean Dr Kathryn Gilbey. Dr Gilbey is an Aboriginal researcher who prioritises learning about cultural and academic knowledge on Country.

BIITE Associate Professor John Guenther said the event allows us to celebrate the diversity of knowledge in central Australia. 

“The Symposium offered a rich diversity of presenters to use their voices to share knowledge and learn from each other," Professor Guenther said.