Australian Legacies of Slavery Symposium

As part of an ongoing commitment to truth telling, the State Library of Western Australia is proud to host Australian Legacies of Slavery, a two-day symposium presented in partnership with The University of Western Australia (UWA). Coordinated by the Western Australian Legacies of British Slavery project, this symposium explores the legacies and history of British Slavery and how this impacted colonial Australia. 

While British Parliament abolished slavery in 1833, new research has revealed that compensation paid to slave owners continued to benefit those in colonies such as Australia, Canada and South Africa long after this date.

This two-day program of keynotes, panel conversations and a yarning circle will unpick the ways in which slavery shaped imperial relationships, economic networks and racial labour. 

Day 1

Day 1 of this symposium will include the presentation of research and papers from leading academics in the field (9:15am  -  5:15pm).

Speakers:

• Dr Carol Dowling – Curtin University of Technology
• Associate Professor Hannah McGlade – Curtin University of Technology
• Lorraine Injie – Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre
• Dennis Simmons – Maar Koodjal Aboriginal Corporation
• Dr Malcolm Allbrook – Australian National University 
• Dr Trevor Burnard – University of Hull, England
• Associate Professor Emma Christopher – University of New South Wales
• Professor Zoe Laidlaw – University of Melbourne
• Professor Jane Lydon – University of Western Australia
• Dr Jeremy Martens – University of Western Australia
• Professor Angela McCarthy – University of Otago, NZ
• Dr Keith McClelland – University College London
• Dr Annemarie McLaren – University of Notre Dame, Fremantle
• Aoife Nugent – University of Western Australia
• Professor Angela Wanhalla – University of Otago, NZ
• Dr Nikita Vanderbyl – La Trobe University, Melbourne
• Professor Hamish Maxwell-Stewart – University of New England  
• Professor Alistair Paterson – University of Western Australia

Day 2

Day 2 is intended for a broader audience, with highlights including a keynote from Associate Professor Emma Christopher (10:30am  - 12:30pm) and a yarning circle with leading thinkers Associate Professor Hannah McGlade, Lorraine Intje, Dennis Simmons and Dr Carol Dowling (1:30pm - 3pm). 

More information coming soon.