5.27.2026 Lecture “Murrup Barak: The Importance of an Indigenous Student Centre at the University of Melbourne” by Inala Cooper & Kirsten Hausia (The University of Melbourne)
5.27.2026
Date & Time
May 27, 2026 (Wed) (JST)
18:30–20:00 (Doors open 18:00)
Venue
Small Auditorium, Conference Hall(1F), Hokkaido University
& Online (Zoom)
Admission
Free (Registration required)
Registration
Please register via Google Form: https://x.gd/DkakD
Deadline: May 24, 2026 (Sun), 24:00(JST)
Language
English *English-Japanese consecutive interpretation will be provided.
About the Lecture
A “safe space” on university campuses refers to an environment both physical
and psychological where students, particularly those from marginalized groups,
can feel safe and comfortable without fear of discrimination or exclusion.
Such spaces are becoming increasingly important at our university, especially
for ethnic and racial minorities, including the Indigenous Ainu people.
We are pleased to welcome two lecturers from the University of Melbourne,
Australia, who will share their initiatives.
Speakers
Inala Cooper is a Yawuru woman Rubibi/Broome, Western Australia). She grew up in Southwest Victoria on Gunditjmara country and has lived in Narrm/Melbourne for over 30 years.
Inala has a Bachelor of Arts (Drama/Dance) and a Master of Human Rights Law and is currently the Director of Murrup Barak (the Indigenous student centre), at University of Melbourne.
Inala is highly skilled in public speaking, student services, policy, strategy and engagement, and brings a rights-based approach to her work. Inala has performed on stage, film and television, and worked on a range of festivals including Melbourne Fringe, St Kilda Festival Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee, and the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
Inala is a regular contributor on ABC News Breakfast and at literary events including Adelaide Writers Week, Melbourne Writers Festival, the Stella Prize, and Sorrento Writers Festival. She is the author of Marrul: Aboriginal Identity and the Fight for Rights, and most recently authored a chapter in Dhoombak Goobgoowana, the History of the Indigenous Australia and the University of Melbourne – Volume 2, Voice.
Inala spent three years in the Victorian public sector and has been working in the higher education sector for over 16 years. She has presented at a range of academic conferences including WIPCE (World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education) and NAISA (Native American and Indigenous Studies Association). Inala is a director on a range of not-for-profit boards including State Library Victoria and Adam Briggs Foundation. She is a PhD candidate at Monash University.
Kirsten Hausia is a Badimaya Yamatji (Western Australia) and African American woman. She grew up in the United States and has a Bachelor of Teaching and moved back to Australia to complete her Master of Educational Leadership and Guidance Counselling.
Kirsten is dedicated to uplifting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and has worked in the higher education sector for over 12 years. She is passionate about global Indigenous education and strengthening culturally grounded educational connections.
She is highly skilled in community engagement, student services, counselling and wellbeing, and creating safe spaces for students in higher education. She has presented at a range of academic conferences including WIPCE (World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education) and STARS (Student Success Conference).
Kirsten is an associate director on the board of Aboriginal Housing Victoria and the Vice-President (Students) on the National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC). She is a director on the board of Anchored Connections Foundation and has her own consulting business, Culture Crate, which focuses on diversity and inclusion in education.
Organizer
Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies, Hokkaido University
Selected Links
