Dr Peta Jeffries is a lecturer, ethnographic historian in ‘Australian and Aboriginal histories’ and practicing visual artist who has published and exhibited works, and been awarded research grants and artists in residencies. Peta has a Bachelor of Arts (with first class honours) in visual arts and art history which informs current research and teaching practices in Indigenous studies subject design and curriculum development. Various field trips has taken Peta into western Victoria and the semi-arid regions of western NSW, SA, and QLD to carry out ecological and cultural heritage research. Peta’s art practice and historical research involves the use of ecological and sociological theories, environmental philosophies, and (auto)ethnographic approaches.

In 2010 Peta completed a Graduate Diploma in International Urban and Environmental Management which consolidated her teaching and research in Indigenous histories and policy, ethics for decolonisation, human rights and social justice, community health and wellbeing, ecological citizenship, Indigenous land use, environmental policy and history, histories of erasure, and the visual production of knowledge. Peta made a timely completion of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project PhD in ‘Australian and Aboriginal history’, researching social memories and oral histories. The PhD research focussed on the co-production of social, cultural, political and ecological knowledge. Peta graduated from the PhD in October 2016.

Peta has completed a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education and is committed to high quality evidence based pedagogical practices and to overcoming deficit discourses surrounding diverse learners and some forms of knowledge production. Further, Peta’s evidence-based teaching practice is focussed on the use of digital media, collaborative teaching and learning spaces, student retention and academic success, and creative online or blended teaching and learning.  Peta’s teaching and research interests are motivated by supporting diverse learners to become resilient and ecological citizens.

Subjects Peta has taught into at CSU:

• Indigenous Perspectives in Secondary Education
• Indigenous Australian Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
• Indigenous Health
• Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality
• Indigenous Australians and the Politics of Control