Prof Brendan Hokowhitu

Professor Brendan Hokowhitu is recognised globally as a leading scholar in critical Indigenous studies creating the sub-disciplines of Indigenous masculinities, Indigenous sociology of sport, and Indigenous critical physical education. As Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures (IFC), Brendan leads collaboratively with community, community partners and national and international researchers, working towards the Centre’s vision of an equitable Australia for Indigenous peoples by 2050.

The crux of IFC’s innovative research approach is firstly, emplacing a transdisciplinary relational research design and, secondly, the synthesis of Centre results with systematic reviews and existing knowledge through NIKI. The uniqueness of the IFC itself demands a Centre Director who has the capacity for pioneering scholarship. Throughout his academic career, Brendan’s diverse disciplinary background has led him to becoming a thought leader in multiple areas where his theoretical work has advanced Indigenous film and media, Indigenous healthism, and Indigenous critical theory. As Area of Responsibility leader for Knowledge Transfer, Brendan’s previous research leadership and experience in Indigenous collaborative and community centric methodologies will also be crucial to the Centre’s research impact on policy reform.