Research
Living Knowledge Network supports Indigenous communities to lead their own research initiatives. In collaboration with research partners, we are empowering Communities to use their Traditional Knowledges to find innovative solutions to societal and environmental challenges. This is delivering interconnected outcomes across culture, community, conservation, economy, and society.
Indigenous sovereignty over Indigenous Data
We recognise and value Indigenous sovereignty over Indigenous Data, which means ensuring that our data practices align with the values and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. The Living Knowledge Network Indigenous Data Governance Framework outlines how the whole Living Knowledge Network deals with data, including collection, creation, use, sharing, managing, storing or repatriating. We are focused on empowering Indigenous cultural governance throughout these activities.
Read our Indigenous Data Governance Framework.
Southern Yuin Country | Credit: Adam Baus
Case Study
Supporting Koala Recovery with Cultural Fire
On the far South Coast of New South Wales, Gadhu Bagan (Living Knowledge Southern Yuin team) has seen encouraging signs of guraban (koala) across Wadbilliga National Park, following on-Country surveys carried out with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Led by Cultural Fire Practitioners Koorin Campbell and Durramah Parsons-Campbell, this work is part of the Southern Yuin Koala Project and brings together deep cultural knowledge, with tools like acoustic monitoring, to better understand koala presence across the Murrah, Biamanga, Kooraban, Gulaga and wider Wadbilliga landscape.
Koalas were detected at several sites, including Green Hills, Jillicambra and Razorback fire trails, along with a nearby record in Wandella State Forest, offering hope in a landscape where sightings have long been rare, especially after the impacts of the Black Summer fires.
While results suggest a low-density population, they confirm koalas are still living across Country, with key habitat areas remaining intact. This work highlights how Cultural Fire and Indigenous Knowledge can support the health of both Country and culturally significant species, with findings helping to guide ongoing monitoring and care for koalas and their habitat into the future.
“We were hoping they would be there and we found them. It is ground-breaking for us because the koala songlines reach out that way from the South Coast to northern Yuin Country up Nowra way.” – Koorin Campbell, Djiringanj / Walbunja Yuin and Thunghutti Traditional Owner and Lead Fire Practitioner
Our Vision
Are you interested in Indigenous-led research? Living Knowledge Network is keen to grow our network of Indigenous research partners. Get in touch with our partnerships team: rsteffensen@livingknowledge.network
