Overview
Background
Richard is a cultural anthropologist in the School of Social Science at UQ. His research focuses on Indigenous land rights and native title, cultural heritage, Australian anthropology, and Australian history and culture.
Richard has a PhD in social and cultural studies from The University of Western Australia. His PhD research examined relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the remote Gulf Country of northern Australia, where he began fieldwork in 2007. After completing his PhD in 2012, Richard has continued to work in the Gulf Country on a range of academic and applied research projects, continuing to develop friendships and collaborations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across this area.
Since joining UQ in 2012, Richard has published a range of scholarly articles in leading academic journals as well as the book, The Gulf Country: The story of people and place in outback Queensland (Allen & Unwin, 2019). He has also carried out extensive applied research with Indigenous people on native title claims and cultural heritage matters across Australia, and given expert evidence in the Federal Court of Australia.
Availability
- Dr Richard Martin is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Education, University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Arts, University of New South Wales
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
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Australian anthropology
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Indigenous culture and heritage
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Cultural loss and compensation
Research impacts
Richard's applied anthropological research has had a significant impact beyond academia. This work has involved participation as an expert researcher on multiple native title claims, where his research has contributed towards the successful resolution of legal proceedings relating to Indigenous rights and interests in land and waters, including in the Kurtjar people's native title claim (Rainbow on behalf of the Kurtjar People v State of Queensland (No 2) [2021] FCA 1251) in the Gulf Country, the Western Kangoulu people's native title claim in Central Queensland (Malone on behalf of the Western Kangoulu People v State of Queensland (No 6) [2025] FCA 363) and elsewhere. His work on Indigenous cultural heritage management has further contributed towards the successful protection of significant sites and areas in the context of resource extraction, economic development, and environmental restoration projects.
Works
Search Professor Richard Martin’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Other Outputs
Expert Report Prepared for the Palyku Applicant in relation to the Nyamal Palyku Proceeding Area
Martin, Richard (2021). Expert Report Prepared for the Palyku Applicant in relation to the Nyamal Palyku Proceeding Area. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Book Chapter
Power, Poison, and Hope in the Border Country
Martin, Richard J. (2020). Power, Poison, and Hope in the Border Country. Of Earth, For Earth: The meaning of a mine. (pp. 30-38) edited by Kathryn Moore and Dana Finch. Exeter, United Kingdom: University of Exeter Press.
2020
Conference Publication
Applied Anthropology and Indigenous Land Justice in Australia
Martin, Richard J. (2020). Applied Anthropology and Indigenous Land Justice in Australia. AY2019 International Workshop: Call and Response in Indigenous Research: Cases from Australia and Japan, Kyoto, Japan, 15 December 2019. Kyoto, Japan: Ryukoku University Press.
2020
Journal Article
An 'authentic' Aboriginal product: state marketing and the self-fashioning of Indigenous experiences to Chinese tourists
Boag, Courtney J., Martin, Richard J. and Bell, Damein (2020). An 'authentic' Aboriginal product: state marketing and the self-fashioning of Indigenous experiences to Chinese tourists. Australian Journal of Anthropology, 31 (1), 51-65. doi: 10.1111/taja.12345
2019
Journal Article
Review of: The Colonial Fantasy: Why white Australia can't solve black problems by Sarah Maddison
Martin, Richard J. (2019). Review of: The Colonial Fantasy: Why white Australia can't solve black problems by Sarah Maddison. Australian Book Review (413).
2019
Other Outputs
Report for the Kurtijar People Native Title Claimant Application QUD483/2015
Martin, Richard (2019). Report for the Kurtijar People Native Title Claimant Application QUD483/2015. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2018
Other Outputs
Poor health in Aboriginal children after European colonisation revealed in their skeletal remains
Adams, Shaun, Westaway, Michael and Martin, Richard (2018, 12 13). Poor health in Aboriginal children after European colonisation revealed in their skeletal remains The Conversation
2018
Other Outputs
Joint Statement in Relation to Society for the Gaangalu Nation People, Western Kangoulu and Wadja Native Title Claims
de Rijke, Kim, Martin, Richard, Gorring, Dee and McCaul, Kim (2018). Joint Statement in Relation to Society for the Gaangalu Nation People, Western Kangoulu and Wadja Native Title Claims. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2018
Journal Article
Richard J. Martin reviews '"Against Native Title": Conflict and Creativity in Outback Australia' by Eve Vincent and 'Crosscurrents: Law and society in a native title claim to land and sea' by Katie Glaskin
Martin, Richard J. (2018). Richard J. Martin reviews '"Against Native Title": Conflict and Creativity in Outback Australia' by Eve Vincent and 'Crosscurrents: Law and society in a native title claim to land and sea' by Katie Glaskin. Australian Book Review (401)
2018
Book Chapter
Ethnographic collections, Indigenous narratives, and post-colonial rights in Australia
Martin, Richard J. and Trigger, David (2018). Ethnographic collections, Indigenous narratives, and post-colonial rights in Australia. The social work of narratives: human rights and the cultural imaginary. (pp. 103-120) edited by Gareth Griffiths and Philip Mead. Stuttgart, Germany: ibidem Press.
2018
Journal Article
Truth-telling in the wake of European contact: historical investigation of Aboriginal skeletal remains from Normanton
Adams, Shaun, Martin, Richard, Phillips, Susan, Macgregor, Colin and Westaway, Michael (2018). Truth-telling in the wake of European contact: historical investigation of Aboriginal skeletal remains from Normanton. Archaeologies, 14 (3), 412-442. doi: 10.1007/s11759-018-9354-x
2018
Journal Article
Ethnographic Collections, Indigenous Narratives, and Post-Colonial Rights in Australia
Martin, Richard J. and Trigger, David (2018). Ethnographic Collections, Indigenous Narratives, and Post-Colonial Rights in Australia. Social Work of Narrative: Human Rights and the Cultural Imaginary, 4, 103-120.
2017
Other Outputs
Kurtjar Connection Report, Prepared for HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
Martin, Richard J. (2017). Kurtjar Connection Report, Prepared for HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
2017
Other Outputs
Supplementary Report for the Gkuthaarn and Kukatj Native Title Claim
Martin, Richard J. (2017). Supplementary Report for the Gkuthaarn and Kukatj Native Title Claim.
2017
Book Chapter
Chinese history, Indigenous identity and mixed ancestry in Australia's Gulf Country
Trigger, David and Martin, Richard (2017). Chinese history, Indigenous identity and mixed ancestry in Australia's Gulf Country. Mixed race identities in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. (pp. 36-48) edited by Kirsten McGavin and Farida Fozdar. New York, NY United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315559391
2017
Other Outputs
A History of the Burke Shire, 1865-2015. Prepared for the Burke Shire Council
Martin, Richard J. (2017). A History of the Burke Shire, 1865-2015. Prepared for the Burke Shire Council. Burke Shire Council.
2016
Journal Article
Richard Martin reviews 'Native title from Mabo to Akiba: a vehicle for change and empowerment?' edited by Sean Brennan et al.
Martin, Richard (2016). Richard Martin reviews 'Native title from Mabo to Akiba: a vehicle for change and empowerment?' edited by Sean Brennan et al.. Australian Book Review (383), 72-72.
2016
Other Outputs
Cultural Heritage Survey Report for Burke Shire Council’s Proposed Activities in the Gregory Area, northwest Queensland
Martin, Richard J. (2016). Cultural Heritage Survey Report for Burke Shire Council’s Proposed Activities in the Gregory Area, northwest Queensland. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: UQ Culture and Heritage Unit.
2016
Book Chapter
‘Nothing never change’: mapping land, water and Aboriginal identity in the changing environments of northern Australia’s Gulf Country
Martin, Richard J. and Trigger, David (2016). ‘Nothing never change’: mapping land, water and Aboriginal identity in the changing environments of northern Australia’s Gulf Country. Other people's country: law, water and entitlement in settler colonial sites. (pp. 1-18) edited by Timothy Neale and Stephen Turner. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.
2016
Book Chapter
Cultural domains and the theory of customary environmentalism in Indigenous Australia
de Rijke, Kim, Martin, Richard and Trigger, David (2016). Cultural domains and the theory of customary environmentalism in Indigenous Australia. Engaging Indigenous Economy: Debating Diverse Approaches. (pp. 43-53) edited by Will Sanders. Canberra, ACT, Australia: ANU Press. doi: 10.22459/caepr35.04.2016.04
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Richard Martin is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Compensation for cultural loss
I am currently advertising two PhD scholarships with fieldwork funding for projects relating to the issue of compensation for cutlural loss in Indigenous Australia.
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Indigenous Christianity and the Queensland Atlas of Religion
I am interested in supervising projects relating to Christianity in Indigenous Australia.
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Native Title and Cultural Heritage Management
I am interested in projects focused on native title and cultural heritage management.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Understandings of Heritage and Climate Change in Indigenous Southeast Queensland Adaptation Initiatives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Mr Jim Walker
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Master Philosophy
Aboriginal Christianity at Yarrabah
Principal Advisor
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The Making of Intangible Heritage in Chinese Ethnic Minorities: An Ethnographic Study on Intangible Cultural Heritage, Power, Identity and Social Changes in Bulang Ethnic Group
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lisa Ruhanen, Emeritus Professor Ian Lilley
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Out there, back then: chronotopes of presence and absence in Outback Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sally Babidge
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Reproduction, Loss and Limitations of Indigenous Traditions of Social Resilience in Rural Fiji.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence, Dr Kim de Rijke
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Liquid Heritage: The Birth and Evolution of Tulou Society
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Ian Lilley, Dr Kim de Rijke
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Including the contemporary human footprint in environmentally protected areas in post-apartheid South Africa: Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sally Babidge
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2019
Master Philosophy
Culture as a commodity? The cultural dynamics of Indigenous tourism in the Far North East of Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Trigger
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
A political ecology study of forest wilderness in the Olympic Peninsula (USA) and Tasmania (Australia).
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Trigger, Emeritus Professor Ian Lilley
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Richard Martin directly for media enquiries about:
- Aboriginal Australia
- anthropology
- cultural heritage
- Native title
- native title compensation
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