ANZSOC is delighted to commemorate NAIDOC week by announcing and warmly welcoming Michelle Gissara to the Committee of Management as one of our First Nations representatives. Michelle is a proud Kardu Diminin and Kardu Yek Naninh Aboriginal woman who grew up in Adelaide and currently lives in Melbourne (Narrm) on Bunurong Country. She is a Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Doctoral Research Fellow at RMIT University, situated in the College of Design and Social Context, in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS).
In addition to her lived experience as a First Nations Woman, Michelle brings with her a rich knowledge of LGBTQIA+ issues. Her PhD research explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ people’s lived experiences of image-based sexual abuse through Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR).
To get to know Michelle, we asked her which influential thinker in Criminology living or dead she’d like to have dinner with. Her response – “Professor Chris Cunneen who is a leading criminologist specialising in Indigenous people and the law, policing, prisons, justice, and human rights. I think we could have a great conversation about a range of important topics”.
Michelle is keen to be able to make an impact in Indigenous criminological policy and practice within the society, highlighting Blak knowledges. The Committee of Management are excited about the new ideas and initiatives that Michelle will bring to the table. We encourage all members to extend a warm welcome and support Michelle as she settles into her new role. If you’d like to get in touch with Michelle, she is available via email at michelle.gissara@rmit.edu.au or on LinkedIn.