2017 has been yet another great year CRAR+M researchers and we have continued to be active in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Western Desert. The CRAR+M corridor is now humming again with activity as well all settle back into lab work, teaching and writing modes.
The Murujuga: Dynamics of the Dreaming project has finished its second major year of fieldwork, and received great coverage during UWA Research Week. I had the honour of being the UWA Researcher this year - and the Murujuga traditional owners and Rangers participated fully in the various UWA events held in Perth in early September.
Visiting on-country with the Parngurr Rangers and Karnirrpa Jukurrpa
In June, between project commitments, Peter Veth and I did a back-to-country trip to the Western Desert with the Parngurr Rangers and KJ (Karnirrpa Jukurrpa). This was a fabulous trip with traditional owner and many younger people as well as the Rangers, revisiting sites which Peter had first recorded in the 1980's. We also caught up with Colleagues from Pennsylvania State University, Doug and Rebecca Bird, with a new project they are beginning on a claypan in this area. UWA PhD candidate, Jane Skippington also participated in this trip.
Jo McDonald recieves her UWA Innovation Champion award
There has been some exciting acknowledgement of CRAR+M impact and research excellence this year. In June, I was named UWA Innovation Champion, an award given for sustained efforts to encourage innovation in research (through database development, paperless recording, 3D imaging). I was also lucky enough to be the UWA Research Hero during Research Week in September - with theMurujuga: Dynamics of the Dreamingproject being profiled throughout the week (see below).
We recently also heard thatMurujuga: Dynamics of the Dreaming has been shortlisted in the BHERT (Business Higher Education Round Table) Awards for Excellence in the Outstanding Collaboration for National (Non-Economic) Benefit category. The Awards are presented next week in Melbourne.