Adjunct Professor Sandy Toussaint

PhD, MA, BA [Hons], UWA.

Adjunct Professor

Email: sandy.toussaint@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    Sandy Toussaint is a Professor of Anthropology, author and curator who has worked collaboratively with and for Indigenous families and organisations, especially in the Kimberley, since the 1980s. A former Visiting Research Fellow at Oxford University, and a senior researcher on the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody led by Commissioner Pat Dodson, and for the Aboriginal Land Inquiry and Aboriginal Education, Sandy has published five books including Ngurntakura Wangki - Amy's Story with Annette Puruta Kogolo and Marminjiya Joy Nuggett (2014), and Kimberley Stories (2012). Sandy is also an Honorary Professor with UWA's Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education, where she taught anthropology for 20 years, and managed the Berndt Museum between 2013-2015. Exhibition curatorial work include Warmun Here and Now (2014, UWA) and Visual Story-Telling (2017, UNDA Broome). Prior to studying and practising anthropology, Sandy worked in theatre and performing arts in Melbourne, London and Sydney.

  • Teaching areas

    • Cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural inquiry
    • Material Culture and Visual Story-Telling
    • Cultural Ethics
    • Human/environment interactions; the anthropology of water
    • Archival Returns
    • Health and Medicine
    • Legal and Contemporary Anthropology

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Thirty-five years of research experience, mostly with Fitzroy Valley, Kimberley Indigenous traditional owners and families on matters relating to cultural heritage, story-telling, art, health and medicine, environmental anthropology. Principal supervisor of many successful PhDs, and on cross-disciplinary co-supervisory panels. Research for organisations such as the WA Health Dept, CSIRO, Kimberley Language Resource Centre, the Aboriginal Legal Service, Marra Worra Worra, PMH, and UNDA's School of Medicine has been undertaken, plus long term projects with the RCIADIC, Aboriginal Land Inquiry, Aboriginal Education, Museums and material culture, Archival returns.

  • Books

    • Annette Puruta Kogolo, Marminjiya Joy Nuggett and Sandy Toussaint, 2014, Ngurntakura Wangki - Amy's Story, UniPrint.
    • Sandy Tossaint, ed, 2012. Kimberley Stories, Fremantle Arts Centre Press.
    • Sandy Toussaint, ed. 2004, Crossing Boundaries in Native Title, Melbourne University Press.
    • Kate Auty and Sandy Toussaint, 2004, The Cultural Politics of Juries, UWA Publishing.
    • Sandy Toussaint and Jim Taylor, 1999, Applied Anthropology Australasia, UWA Publishing.
    • Sandy Toussaint, 1999, Phyllis Kaberry and me: anthropology, history and Aboriginal Australia, Melbourne University Press.

  • Book chapters

    Refereed journal articles

    • Croft, B. L., Toussaint, S., Meakins, F., McConvell, P. 2019, "For the Children": Aboriginal Australia, cultural access, and archival obligation, in Language Documentation and Conservation, Archival Returns, edited by Barwick, L, Green, J and Morel, P. Sydney University Press.
    • Toussaint, Sandy 2017/2018 'Anthropology in Australia', in Callan, H. (ed) The World Encyclopedia of Anthropology, John Wiley and Sons, London.
    • Toussaint, S. 2012 ‘Leaf’, in Kimberley Stories, Toussaint, S. (ed), Fremantle, Fremantle Press (pp.87-90).
    • Toussaint, S. 2009 ‘For whom the Fitzroy River flows: a fluctuating analysis of social and environmental sustainability, and incremental sovereignty’, in Water, Sovereignty and Borders in Asia and Oceania, in Ghosh, D., Goodall, H., and Hemelryk Donald, S. (eds), London, Routledge, pp.174-188.
    • Toussaint, S. 2007 ‘Potential Collaborations and Disjunctures in Australian Worksites (an experiential rendering)’, in Anthropology Put To Work, Fox, R. and Field, L. (eds), Oxford, Berg Publishers, pp.161-180.
    • Toussaint, S. 2006 ‘A time and place beyond and of the centre: Australian anthropologies in the process of becoming’, in World Anthropologies: Disciplinary Transformations in system of power, Escobar, A. and Ribeiro, G. (eds), Oxford, Berg Publishers, pp.225-239.
    • Toussaint, S. 2006 ‘Introducing Water, and this volume’, in Water: histories, cultures, ecologies, Leybourne, M. and Gaynor, A. (eds), Nedlands, University of Western Australia Press (pp.i-xi).
    • Toussaint, S. 2004 ‘Contextualizing Native Title’, in Crossing Boundaries: cultural, legal, historical and practice issues in native title, Carlton, Melbourne University Press, pp.1-9.
    • Toussaint, S. and Christensen, W. 2004 ‘Afterword’, in Crossing Boundaries: cultural, legal, historical and practice issues in native title, Carlton, Melbourne University Press, pp.202-207.
    • Auty, K. and Toussaint, S. 2004 ‘Foreword’, A Jury of Whose Peers? the cultural politics of juries in Australia, Nedlands, University of Western Australia Press, pp.1-8.
    • Toussaint, S. 2003 ‘Preface to New Edition’, Phyllis Kaberry’s Aboriginal Woman Sacred and Profane (first published in 1939), London, Routledge, pp.ix-xviii.
    • Toussaint, S. 2003 ‘Our Shame: Blacks live poor, die young’: Indigenous health practice and ethical possibilities for reform’, in Liamputtong Rice, P. and Gardner, H. (eds), Health, Social Policy And Communities, Oxford, Oxford University Press, pp.241-256.

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    Selected publications

    • Vujcich, D., Toussaint, S., and Mak, D. 2019/2020 "It's more than just medicine": The value and sustainability of mandatory, non-clinical, short-term placements in a Western Australian Medical School. Medical Teacher (in press).
    • Wooltorton, S., Toussaint, S., Jennings, A., Poelina, A., Muecke, S., Remond, J., Schipf, A., Stredwick, L. 2019. Kimberley Transitions: Collaborating to care for our common home'. Nulungu Research Series Publication, University of Notre Dame Australia (pp.1-18).
    • Croft, B., Toussaint, S., Meakins, F., McConvell, P. 2019 'For the Children: Aboriginal Australia, Cultural Access, and Archival Obligation', in Archival Returns in Central Australia and Beyond, Special issue of the journal of Language Documentation and Conservation, edited by Barwick, L., Green, J., and P. Vaarzal-Morel, University of Hawaii Press (pp.173-192).
    • Pyke, M., Toussaint, S., Close, P., et al 2018 'Wetlands need people: a framework for understanding and promoting Australian Indigenous wetland management'. Ecology and Society, 23(2):43.
    • Toussaint, S. 2018. 'Catherine Helen Berndt (1918-1994)', Australian Dictionary of Biography. http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/berndt-catherine-helen-27506
    • Toussaint, S. 2017. 'A Letter to Catherine Berndt': cultural politics and the preciousness of time. Griffith Review, July. https://griffithreview.com/multimedia/a-letter-to- catherine-berndt
    • Toussaint, S. 2016 'A mix of Emotion', Westerly, 6.1.73-76.
    • Toussaint, S. 2016 Closing 'communities' undermines the humanity of Aboriginal lives, Native Title Newsletter, Aboriginal Studies Press, August 2015 edition, pp.13-15 (first published in The Conversation, April 28, https://theconversation.com.closing-communities-40226))
    • Toussaint, S. 2015 Putuparri and the Rainmakers: A Stunning story of Aboriginal culture, life and law, The Conversation, https://the conversation.com/putuparri-and-the-rainmakers-45933
    • Pettit N E, Naiman R, Fry J, Roberts J D, Close P G, Pusey B J, Woodall G, MacGregor C, Speldewinde P C, Stewart B A, Dobbs R, Paterson H, Cook P, Toussaint S, Comer S & Davies P M (2015). Environmental Change: Prospects for Conservation and Agriculture in a Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot. Ecology and Society 20 (3): 10. [online] URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-07727-200310
    • Toussaint. S. 2014 'Fishing for Fish and for Jaminyjarti in Northern Aboriginal Australia', Oceania, 84:1:38-51.
    • Toussaint, S. 2014 The Art of Collaboration: Working Together on Ngurntakura Wangki, Griffith Review, 44:18-22.
    • Close, P., Dobbs, R., Turnbridge, D., Speldewinde, P., Warfe, D, Toussaint, S., Davies, P. 2013 'Abundance of recreational and culturally important fish reduced by fishing pressure in a tropical Australian river'.
    • Lin, I., O'Sullivan, P., Coffin, J., Mak, D., Toussaint, S., and Straker, L. 2013 'Disabling chronic low back pain as an iatrogenic disorder: a qualitative study in Aboriginal Australians, BMJ Open 3:10.1136bmjopen-2013-002654
    • Laborde, S., Imberger, J. and Toussaint, S. 2012 'A wall out of place: a hydrological and socio-cultural analysis of physical changes to the lakeshore of Como, Italy', Ecology and Society 17(1):33 http//dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-04610-170133.
    • Laborde, S., Imberger, J. and Toussaint, S. 2012a 'Contributions of local knowledge to the physical limnology of Lake Como, Italy', Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 10.1073/pnas.1113740109 (published online April 2012, www.pnas.org).
    • Lin, I., O'Sullivan, P. B., Coffin, J., Mak, D., Toussaint, S., Straker, L. 2012 'I am absolutely shattered': the impact of chronic low back pain on Australian Aboriginal people, European Journal of Pain http//doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2012.00128.x
    • Toussaint, S. and Mak, D. 2010 'Even if we get one back here, it's worth it…': Evaluation of an Australian remote area health placement program, Australasian Journal of Remote and Rural Health, 10:1546 (Online). www.rrh.org.au
    • Toussaint, S. 2008 'Kimberley Friction: complex attachments to water places in northern Australia'. In Water Ways: competition, communality and process in the use and Management of water - Oceania, Vol. 78, No. 1, pp.48-63.
    • Toussaint, S. 2008 'Climate Change, Global Warming and Too Much Sorry Business', The Australian Journal of Anthropology, 19:1:84-88.
    • Toussaint, S. 2007 'Indigenous Peoples and Globalization', Encyclopedia Of Globalization, Robertson, R. and Scholte J. A. (eds), New York, Routledge, pp. 614-618.
    • Storey, A.W. and S. Toussaint 2007 'Kimberley Waterways: alternative land and water use practices. Water: Journal of the Australian Water Association, December, pp. 21-26.
    • Toussaint, S. 2006 'Australian Anthropology: the "best" and "worst" of globalized times', Anthropology News, January 2006, pages 15, 19 (re- printed in the World Anthropologies E-journal, vol.1, no. 2, pp.e37-e39.).
    • Mak, D., Plant, A. and Toussaint, S. 2006 ' "I have learnt…a different way of looking at people's health": evaluation of a medical training program in remote Australia', Medical Teacher, vol. 28, no. 6, pp.e149-e155.
    • Toussaint, S. 2005 'Kaberry, Phyllis M', Encyclopedia of Religion, L. Jones (ed), Detroit, MacMillan Publishing, vol. 8, pp.5050-5051.
    • Toussaint, S., Sullivan, P., and Yu, S. 2005 'Water Ways in Northern Aboriginal Australia: an interconnected analysis', Anthropological  Forum, vol. 15, no. 1:61-74
    • Toussaint, S. 2005 'Building an epistemological bridge: integrated practice in human/environment studies', in Minnegal, M. (ed), Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Environments: dialogues between anthropologists, environmentalists and managers, SAGES, University of Melbourne, Conference Proceedings vol. 21, pp.10-24.
    • Toussaint, S. 2004 'Phyllis Mary Kaberry (1910-1977)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, H. C. G. Matther and B. Harrison (eds), Oxford, Oxford University Press, vol. 30, pp.852-853.
    • Mincham, C., Toussaint, S. Mak, B., and Plant, A. J. 2003 'Patient views on the management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley: a qualitative study', Aust. J. Rural Health, 11, 6-12.
    • Toussaint, S. 2002 'Searching for Phyllis Kaberry via Proust: ethnography, biography and memory as a subject of inquiry', Anthropology Today, vol. 18, No. 2, pp.15-20.
    • Toussaint, S. 2001 '"Don't forget to ask": working with women and with men in northern Aboriginal Australia', Practicing Anthropology: Special Edition on Australia journal for the Society of Applied Anthropology, SfAA, America and Canada), vol.23(1)29-32.
    • Toussaint, S. 2000 'Honoring Our Predecessors: A Response to Herbert Lewis's Essay "The Misrepresentation of Anthropology and Its Consequences" 'American Anthropologist (Vol. 101 [3], pp.605-610).
    • Toussaint, S. 1999 'Redefining the Subjects of Inquiry: Aboriginal Health and the Problem of Medical Practice', New Doctor, Summer Edition, pp.16-18.
    • Toussaint, S. and Balme, J. 1999 ' "I reckon they should keep that Hut": Aboriginal Tracking in the Kimberley, Northern Australia', Australian Aboriginal Studies, 1:25-32.
    • Toussaint, S., Mak, D., and Straton, J. 1998 'Marnin Business: Anthropological Interpretations of Cancer Screening Among Australian Aboriginal Women', Australian Journal Primary Health- Interchange, Vol. 4, 2:340-352.
    • Toussaint, S. 1997 'Beyond Racism?' Anthropology News, July, pp.2-5.
    • Toussaint, S. 1996 'Eleven to One: Reflections on Jury Service', Meanjin, Vol. 55, No. 3, 561-572.
    • Toussaint, S. 1993 'Aboriginal Australia and Natural Justice', The Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 28, No. 4:309-316.
    • Toussaint, S. 1992 'Aboriginal Resistance and the Maintenance of Identity: Nyungars and the State', Social Analysis, 32:43-57.
    • Toussaint, S. 1992 'To be a Person: Death in Custody', Arena, No. 98, 23-27.
    • Toussaint, S. 1992 'The Mabo Decision: Fast Tracking to a Lawyers' Picnic?', Alternative Law Journal, Vol. 17, No. 6:296-298.
    • Auty, K. and Toussaint, S. 1992 'In Defiance of Human Rights: The Crime Sentencing and Law Amendment Legislation in Western Australia', Alternative Law Journal, Vol. 17, 1:44-47.
    • Toussaint, S. 1992 'Legislative solutions?' Environment, Vol. 14, 1, 26-29.
    • Rumley, H. and Toussaint, S. 1990 ' "For Their Own Benefit?" Policy and Practice at Moola Bulla Native Settlement 1910-1955', Aboriginal History, Vol. 14, 1-2:80-103.
    • Toussaint, S. 1989 'Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Healing, Health and Knowledge: Sociocultural and Environmental Issues in the Kimberley', Aboriginal Health Information Bulletin, No. 12:30-35.
    • Toussaint, S. 1982 'Toward More Understanding in Policy Making', Aboriginal Health Worker, Vol. 6, 2:14-18.

    Non-Refereed Articles

    • Toussaint, S. 2016 'Yirrkala Drawings Collection', UNESCO Memory of the World Catalogue,Canberra: National Library of Australia, Canberra Gallery and Museum.
    • Toussaint, S. 2008 'Kimberley Waters, Hidden Tools', Environs Kimberley Bulletin, No. 47, p.7.
    • Toussaint, S. 2005 'Tapping into the river of life', The Australian Newspaper, Higher Education, October 5, p.36.
    • Toussaint, S. and Seeman, M. 2005 'Under Water: anthropology and the meaning, use and management of water', WA Coastlines Newsletter, Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Winter, pp.14-15.
    • Toussaint, S. 2004 'The Potential of Native Title', in Talking Native Title: News from the National Native Title Tribunal (p.5).
    • Strang, V., Toussaint, S., and Seeman, M. 2004 'Humans, water use and Resource management', Social Innovation in Natural Resource Management, edited by Carol Richards and Lyn Aitken, Department of Natural Resources, University of Queensland, pp.81-83.
    • Toussaint, S. and Members of the Mimbi Community, 2000 Mimbi Goorroomba (a story about Mimbi), UniPrint, The University of Western Australia pp.1-12.
    • Toussaint, S. 2003 'Foreword', Martuwarra and Jila: River and Desert Art Exhibition Catalogue, Cullity Gallery, UniPrint, University of Western Australia, pp.1-2.

  • Conference papers

    Regular convenor of panels covering inclusive, collaborative research projects at annual anthropology and history conferences, health and medicine, 'In Conversation' events with Indigenous artists, and conference moderator, for example - Session Discussant for UNESCO MoW conference focused on Documenting Australian Society  (2018, Canberra, NLA), Convenor, Visual Story-Telling event for Corrugated Lines Writer's Festival (Broome, 2017).

  • Original creative works

    • Curatorial

  • Curated exhibitions or events

    • Visual Story-Telling, UNDA, Broome Campus (2017)
    • Interwoven (co-created and curated), Berndt Museum (2016)
    • Warmun Then and Now, Berndt Museum, UWA (2015)
    • Ngurntakura Wangki - Amy's Story (co-created with Mangkaja Arts and Thelma John), Gallery Central, Perth (2014)
    • Martuwarra and Jila (co-created with Mangkaja Arts), Cullity Gallery (2003)

  • In the media

    Series of media interviews with ABC RN, ABC online, Regional Radio, Wangki Radio (Kimberley), relating to research projects, community engagement, exhibitions. Items covering research, community engagement, publications, exhibitions, advocacy in newspapers such as The Australian, West Australian, University News, Oxford Gazette, etc.

  • Professional affiliations

    • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
    • The Kimberley Society
    • Australian Anthropological Society
    • World Anthropologies Network

  • Community engagement

    Collaborative, interactive engagement continues to be embedded in practice and projects with Indigenous families and organisations, especially in the Kimberley, e.g. the Ngurntakura Wangki - Amy's Story exhibition and book (with artist's family and Mangkaja Arts), curatorial development with Gija artists from the Warmun Art Centre for the Warmun Then and Now exhibition at UWA's Berndt Museum, Trustee of the Kaberry Collection at AIATSIS, and extensive shared involvement on the water and culture research project. Community engagement also evident in public health and medicine advocacy, especially rural and remote health.

  • Awards

    Awarded Visiting Research Fellowship, Oxford University, Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women, 1997 and 2001. Awarded large ARC Discovery Project (as Chief Investigator), on multi-sited cultural water project, 2004-2007, and other research grants, e.g. Australian Heritage Commission Grant, CSIRO, WA Health. Nominated for Philippa Maddern Award, UWA, 2019.

  • Other

    • Law Museum, Committee Member, Law Society, Western Australia
    • Advisory Member of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register (Australasia and the Pacific).
    • Advisory editorial member Collaborative Anthropologies.
    • Co-Trustee, Catherine Berndt Estate (UWA).
    • Trustee of the Kimberley Phyllis Kaberry 1930s Collection at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
    • Research Member, Kimberley Transitions, Nulungu, Broome.
    • Committee member, Transitions Town Vincent, Perth.