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Science, Country and Community: Indigenous Knowledges challenging the system

Join us for an evening of conversation and connection, as the ¾«¶«ÊÓƵ hosts a special event to celebrate National Reconciliation Week at the Shine Dome.

Guiding the evening as MC is Tiahni Adamson, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, marine scientist and passionate advocate for Indigenous-led climate action.

This event brings together Dr Katrina Wruck, Associate Professor Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, and Dr Mitchell Gibbs â€“ three leading Indigenous researchers and community advocates whose work is grounded in cultural knowledge, innovation and community connection.

• Dr Katrina Wruck, the 2025 Young Australian of the Year, is a Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman pioneering green chemistry solutions that care for Country while empowering community through sustainable enterprise.
• Associate Professor Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, a Taungurung man and structural engineer at Monash University, is embedding Indigenous knowledge into foundational engineering practices to shift how infrastructure is designed, taught and built.
• Dr Mitchell Gibbs, a Thunghutti marine scientist, is restoring Australia’s coastal ecosystems through culturally grounded research, working in partnership with Indigenous communities to bring traditional knowledge into marine science and policy.

Together, they are reshaping the way research is conducted and understood â€“ centering Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing across diverse disciplines. From health and education to environmental stewardship and cultural revitalisation, their work is creating pathways for future generations, and challenging systems to listen, learn and change.

Join us for a celebration of Indigenous excellence in science and a call to action for meaningful reconciliation through research, respect and relationship.

Event details

Date: Wednesday 28 May 2025

Time: 5.30±è³¾â€“7.00±è³¾

Venue: The Shine Dome Canberra, and livestream

Cost: Free

Speakers

Dr Katrina Wruck is a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman whose pioneering work in green chemistry is making significant strides in environmental science and community empowerment. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year, Katrina has developed innovative methods to transform mining by-products into zeolite LTA, a material capable of removing water contaminants – a breakthrough poised for commercialisation.  

Beyond her scientific achievements, Katrina is the founder of Nguki Kula Green Labs, a profit-for-purpose enterprise aimed at revolutionising the consumer goods sector through sustainable practices. Her work exemplifies the integration of First Nations knowledge into modern scientific innovation, reflecting her commitment to caring for Country and community.​

Katrina actively engages in community outreach, often visiting schools where she inspires students who frequently share that she's the first Indigenous scientist they've met. Her dedication to mentorship and representation is paving the way for future generations of Indigenous scientists.​

Associate Professor Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch is a proud Yowong-Illam-Balluk and Natturuk Balluk man of the Taungurung Nation, and a trailblazing Indigenous researcher, engineer and educator. Based at Monash University, Shannon is this year’s joint recipient of the Academy’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Scientist Award.

Shannon’s research is grounded in respect for Country, community and culture, focusing on the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems within foundational engineering – particularly concrete, soil and subbase materials. His work challenges traditional scientific frameworks by embedding Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing into infrastructure design, construction and sustainability practices.

He is a passionate advocate for Indigenous representation and leadership in STEM, actively mentoring students and collaborating with community to co-create knowledge and outcomes that are not only scientifically rigorous, but culturally empowering. His work is contributing to a growing movement to decolonise engineering and to build technologies and systems that reflect Indigenous values, environmental care and long-term community benefit.

Dr Mitchell Gibbs is a proud Thunghutti man through kinship of the Dunghutti nation and a dedicated marine scientist whose work bridges Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific practices. Mitch is this year’s joint recipient of the Academy’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Scientist Award. Based at the University of Sydney, his research focuses on the restoration of marine ecosystems, particularly oyster reefs, by incorporating traditional Indigenous practices and perspectives.

Mitch’s research emphasises the importance of co-designing restoration initiatives with Indigenous communities, ensuring that traditional ecological knowledge informs contemporary environmental management strategies.

In addition to his research, Mitch is an advocate for policy changes that incorporate Indigenous voices in environmental decision-making. He has led projects aimed at influencing public policy to better integrate Indigenous insights within coastal habitat restoration efforts.

Mitch’s dedication extends to education and public engagement. He has been featured in discussions on reconciliation and the role of Indigenous knowledge in science, emphasising the need for mutual respect and collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.  

​Tiahni Adamson is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman descended from the Kaurareg Nations, dedicated to sustainability and Indigenous advocacy. She graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation Biology and has worked with CSIRO on Indigenous education programs. In 2019, she trained under Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader. Tiahni is also on the national leadership team with Seed, Australia’s only First Nations-led youth climate justice group, and a youth dialogue member for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. In recognition of her contributions, she was named the 2024 South Australian Young Australian of the Year.