Connect with your past
Discover how I can help you with your projects and research.
Professional Historian and archivist
Award-winning historian, archivist, and researcher.
With more than eighteen years experience in history, archives, and collections I can work with you to understand and communicate your past today, and develop strategies to help you manage your stories and records for the future.
I have worked with governments and a range of community organisations, providing training and expert advice as part of digital, archival, collections, and knowledge management initiatives; developing and launching public history projects; and preparing significance assessments, reports, and recommendations to support strategic planning and organisational capability development activities.
Professional historian
I am an accredited professional historian with the Professional Historians Association, and have a PhD in History from the University of Melbourne. I have a passion for working with people interested in understanding and connecting with the past. I am an experienced researcher, oral history interviewer, and an award-winning author with an extensive track record writing and presenting for diverse audiences. I have co-created public history projects with diverse community partners, including the development and implementation of innovative approaches to digital storytelling and the co-creation of multimedia digital stories with First Nations communities.
I can work with you to understand and communicate your history today, and develop strategies for preserving that understanding for the future.
Archives
I am an Accredited Professional (ASAAP) with the Australian Society of Archivists. I bring 18 years of experience in archives assessment, planning, development, and training. I have worked with archives at all scales, including national and state archives and libraries, universities, schools, First Nations and community organisations, churches, not-for-profits, arts organisations, and small museums, as well as on family and personal records projects.
I will partner with you to understand, design, and implement the archives and records solutions you need. My approach is grounded in Australian standards and best practice, applied in a flexible and practical way tailored to your particular circumstances.
Training and capability development
Successful projects are supported by skilled staff, volunteers, and community members. I am an experienced trainer, mentor, and workshop facilitator who can work with you to develop training packages tailored to your needs.
Collections consultant
My professional experience and networks span the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives, museums). I am renowned for my innovative approaches to working with diverse collections in ways that create public value. I will partner with you to understand the significance and value of your collections, and to develop, maintain and use those collections to better support the communities you serve.
Access to professional networks
I have extensive professional networks and can help you find and engage experts in: conservation; digital preservation; records management; Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance; repatriation; standards and policy development.
What services do you offer?
As an accredited professional historian I can help you to:
- Scope and develop a research plan.
- Develop a body of research from archives, libraries, digital databases, and online sources.
- Critically evaluate historical materials to develop an understanding of the past based on evidence.
- Find out more about your family, house, suburb, or street.
- Produce public outputs including books, articles, blog posts, websites, podcasts, displays, and exhibitions.
As an accredited professional archivist I can help you to:
- Develop and implement new or updated archival programs.
- Evaluate and select archival databases and systems.
- Build staff and organisational capability.
- Develop archival policies and plans (including strategic and operational plans).
- Produce significance assessments and preservation plans.
- Improve access and user engagement.
- Create exhibitions, displays and other public programs.
How can I contact you?
You can reach me via the contact form or email address on the Contact page of this site.
What is your experience?
I have a PhD in History from the University of Melbourne, and a Masters in Art History from the University of Edinburgh. I have 18 years of experience working on public history, digital humanities, digital history, oral history, and community-based history projects. I am accredited with the Professional Historians Association, and am a member of the Australian Historical Society, and have taught history as a course convenor at Australian National University, as well as guest lectures at several other Australian universities.
I am also an accredited professional with the Australian Society of Archivists. Since 2008, I have worked as a project archivist and archival consultant, collaborating with diverse organisations, academics, and GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives and museums). My professional positions have included National Councillor, Victorian Branch Convenor, and Convenor of the Research and Education Special Interest Group (REDSIG). I currently teach archives for the University of South Australia, and have also contributed to archival teaching at Curtin University and Charles Sturt University.
Do you offer training sessions or workshops?
Yes, I am an experienced trainer and workshop facilitator. I can develop and deliver training sessions and workshops focused on a range of topics including: history and history methods, digital history and AI, archiving techniques, research methodologies, basic digital and physical preservation techniques, strategic and operational planning, and research data management.
What types of clients do you typically work with?
I work with a diverse range of clients, including academic institutions; federal, state and local governments; schools; community organisations; First Nations communities; peak bodies; GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives and museums); associations; clubs; charities and not-for-profits; and private clients and families..