Monash Indigenous Studies Centre

The Centre for Research into Aboriginal Affairs was constituted by Council in December 1964 to act as an interdisciplinary body to conduct research in the field. The staff of the Centre carried out research projects; presented interdisciplinary seminars; assisted students, academics and overseas organisations concerned with race relations; and provided a general information centre for the public. The centre's administrative costs were covered by the university and its research activities funded by outside grants. The centre's title was changed to Aboriginal Research Centre in 1979, to more readily identify the nature of the work undertaken.

Prior to 1992 the centre was managed by a director with the assistance of a board constituted by the Professorial Board. Both the director and the board of the centre reported to Council and the Professorial Board. In 1992 the centre became a centre of the Faculty of Arts and the Director and Board reported through the Arts Faculty Board.

In 1998 a Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies and Directorship of Monash Aboriginal Programs was created within the faculty of Arts.

In December 1999 Council approved the disestablishment of the Koorie Research Centre, the Centre for Koorie Studies at Gippsland and the Monash Orientation Scheme for Aborigines, and the establishment in their place of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies. The Centre is located within the Faculty of Arts but has university wide responsibility for support of Australian indigenous students and programs.

In 2011, the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre (MISC) replaced the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies.

Directors:

Centre for Research into Aboriginal Affairs/Aboriginal Research Centre

1964 - 1970 Dr Colin Tatz

1971 - 1976 Dr Elizabeth Eggleston

1976 - 1981 Prof. Colin Bourke, MBE

Koorie Research Centre

1981 - 1993 Dr Eve Fesl

1994 - 1995 Prof. Lachlan Chipman

1995 - 1996 Ms Sharon Firebrace

1997 - 1998 Ms Helen Curzon-Siggers

MOSA

1984 - 1991 Assoc. Professor Isaac Brown

1991 - 1992 Mr John Austin

1992 - Dr Eve Fesl

1992 - 1998 Ms Helen Curzon-Siggers

Koorie Studies, Gippsland

1991 - 1999 Ms Marlene Drysdale

Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies

1999 - 2001 Professor Eleanor Bourke

2001 - 2011 Professor Lynette Russell

Monash Indigenous Studies Centre

2011 - Professor Lynette Russell