We hear from Dr Andrew Farrell, Department of Indigenous Studies, regarding their important research into Indigenous LGBTIQ+ identity and community online and the upcoming Digital Intimacies Conference 2022, a two-day conference exploring the impact and opportunities of digital technologies. More information and registration details can be found here.
1. What is your background and what brought you to Macquarie?
I did an undergraduate double degree majoring in Visual Arts and Indigenous Studies at the University of Wollongong. What brought me to Macquarie University was the opportunity to continue to work with my supervisor, Professor Bronwyn Carlson, who is also Head of Department in Indigenous Studies. Through a fellowship at Macquarie, I am now in a lecturer position within the Department of Indigenous Studies.
2. How did you originally become interested in your area of research, and what keeps you interested in it?
While doing Indigenous Studies at an undergraduate level, I noticed the absence of gender and sexual diversity in critical research relating to Indigenous LGBTIQ+ peoples. I sought and found research coming from the United States and Canada relating to Two Spirit peoples as well as various works centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. I am Aboriginal and queer identified. I felt a responsibility to undertake research and teaching to centre, value, and prioritise marginalised voices beyond myself. Community reciprocity and justice are core values of mine.
3. Tell us a bit about your current research and what makes it so important?
My current research is about Indigenous LGBTIQ+ identity and community online. I have done a thesis by publication, some of which is accessible as articles in various journals that are only one Google Scholar search away. This work is framed around articulating contemporary experiences of Indigenous LGBTIQ+ peoples on social media. It is also deeply invested in the historicising of Indigenous queer histories, both in recent history and as it happens today. It is important to emphasise Indigenous queer experiences to value our diversities as well as the critical approaches and knowledges that they contribute to understanding the world.
4. What is something you have recently accomplished?
My PhD thesis and convening Introduction to Indigenous Queer Studies, a class we continue to offer in Indigenous Studies.
5. What do you need to do your best work?
Ample time, sleep, and food are essential. Another important thing is having events, forums, and various spaces to share your ideas and receive critical and constructive feedback. Having room for creativity is also very important.
6. What do people always ask you when they find out what you do for a living?
It is often a declaration that they do not know of the existence of Indigenous gender and sexually diverse peoples. It is then followed by questions relating to sexuality, gender, and pre-settler colonial Australia.
7. What is something you’ve read recently that has had an impact on you?
Ashlea Gillon’s work on Fat Indigenous Bodies and Body Sovereignty. The impact of settler-colonialism on Indigenous peoples is staggering and reading the length and breadth of its effects is always inspiring for my work.
8. A bit about where you live and what you like about it?
I live in Wollongong and am a commuter. Some days it is frustratingly slow, some days I enjoy the meandering of the Illawarra train through the National Park. I have lived in Wollongong for over ten years so I think I can call myself a local. It is also an area that my extended family and community have occupied for tens of thousands of years.
9. A personal quality you value in others?
That is a hard question. I just want to feel like I am more than just a teachable moment for others when I interact with them. I appreciate a memeable sense of humour.
10. What would people be surprised to know about you or your work?
I also dabble in drag. Is that surprising though?
11. What is on your agenda for the remainder of 2022?
In the few months left of 2022, I am enjoying the spooky season and xmas preparation because I love scary movies and cooking. I also have the teaching session to tie off, a HDR student retreat in Auckland, and a keynote at the Digital Intimacies conference hosted by the Indigenous Studies Department at Macquarie University in December. This will be my first keynote.