Professor Lynette Riley
People_

Professor Lynette Riley

AO
Professor, Chair, Aboriginal Education &
Indigenous Studies
Phone
9351 6995
Address
A35 - Education Building
The University of Sydney
Websites
Professor Lynette Riley

Lynette Riley AO is a Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman from Dubbo and Moree. She is currently a Professor in the University of Sydney, Sydney School of Education and Social Work. Lynette has more than 40 years working experience as a teacher and in Aboriginal education and administration within primary schools, high schools, TAFE, state office and universities.

Lynette was one of the founding members of the NSW DET Aboriginal Education Unit which created the first Aboriginal Education Policy in 1982, much of which was based on research she undertook undertaken in 1980, while completing studies at the Armidale college of Advanced Education. She was extensively involved in establishing the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), and coordinated the first ever AECG conference in the early 1980s.

She was instrumental in establishing Aboriginal presence in universities, establishing one of the first support programs within Australia – the Oorala Centre at UNE (1986-1992) and programs with TAFE as an Aboriginal Development Manager for the Western Institute of TAFE (1994-1999), before going on to be one of the few female/Aboriginal Campus Managers for the Dubbo TAFE Campus (2000-2003), and then being appointed State Manager for NSW DET Aboriginal Education (2003-2006).

As an Aboriginal person Lynette has been required not to just theorise about what was occurring to and for Aboriginal children, and their communities; or the interwoven interactions with non-Aboriginal people, communities and organisations; but rather to be actively involved in researching new solutions and effecting sustainable change for Aboriginal programs. This has meant a focus on interweaving understandings and knowledge of cultural education and cultural competence for all people in working with one another whether at the individual or organisational level.

Lynette has a long history working for Reconciliation at the local level, as Chair of the Dubbo Reconciliation Group; and State level as State Chair for NSW Reconciliation. Her belief is that Reconciliation is an imperative if we are to create understanding and move forward in this Nation.

Lynette's interests are in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, education, racism and wellbeing.

Lynette is a senior lecturer and helped create and presented the Kinship Module - an online course, built upon from a face to face workshop. Lynette co-ordinates year 3 units within the Indigenous Studies Major, Race, Racism & Indigenous Australia. She also lectures in a number of other courses across the University.

Lynette recently completed and received her PhD through the ACU, which looked at "Conditions of Academic Success for Aboriginal Students".

2023 - Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.For distinguished service to education, particularly through the development of Indigenous curriculum and student support, to reconciliation, and to the community.

2015 - Vice-Chancellors' Award for Support of the Student Experience, the University of Sydney

2014 - Winner of Three Minute Thesis Competition, Australian Catholic University ACU)

2014 - Winner of Three Minute Thesis Competition, People Choice Award, ACU

2010 - TAFE NSW Gili Awards - 20th Anniversary Recognition of Leadership in Education and Training, NSW Department of Education & Training

Project titleResearch student
Aboriginal Community-Led ResearchAmy DAVIDSON

Selected publications

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Publications

Books

  • Riley-McNaboe, D., Riley, L. (2022). Introduction to Wiradjuri Mambril & Murru: Symbols & Tracks. Sydney: Sydney School of Education & Social Work, The University of Sydney.
  • Riley-McNaboe, D., Riley, L. (2022). Wiradjuri Workbook Bula Ngumbaay: Animals. Volume 3. Sydney: Sydney School of Education & Social Work, The University of Sydney.
  • Riley-McNaboe, D., Riley, L. (2022). Wiradjuri Workbook Bula: Family Terms, Body Parts & Colours. Volume 2. Sydney: Sydney School of Education & Social Work, The University of Sydney. [More Information]

Edited Books

  • Rawlings, V., Flexner, J., Riley, L. (2021). Community-Led Research: Walking new pathways together. Sydney: Sydney University Press.

Book Chapters

  • Riley, L., Ciftci, S., Wardle, I. (2023). Family-led decision-making approaches with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. In Susan Heward-Belle (Eds.), Working with families experiencing vulnerability: a partnership approach, (pp. 267-289). Ebook: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
  • Riley, L., Sebastian, T., Bowen, B. (2021). Australian Indigenous knowledges and voices in Country. In F. Freschi, J. Venis & F. Nazier (Eds.), The politics of design: Privilege and prejudice in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Polytechnic Press. [More Information]
  • Riley, L. (2021). Community-Led Research through an Aboriginal lens. In V. Rawlings, J. Flexner & L. Riley (Eds.), Community-Led Research: Walking new pathways together, (pp. 9-37). Sydney: Sydney University Press. [More Information]

Journals

  • Christie, V., Riley, L., Green, D., Amin, J., Skinner, J., Pyke, C., Gwynne, K. (2024). Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes for Indigenous Women in Australia. Cancers, 16(9), 1736-1-1736-10. [More Information]
  • Christie, V., Riley, L., Green, D., Snook, K., Henningham, M., Rambaldini, B., Amin, J., Pyke, C., Varlow, M., Goss, S., et al (2023). Does breast cancer policy meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia? A review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22, 129: 1-11. [More Information]
  • Christie, V., Green, D., Skinner, J., Riley, L., O’Shea, R., Littlejohn, K., Pyke, C., McCowen, D., Rambaldini, B., Gwynne, K. (2023). “Everyone needs a Deb”: what Australian indigenous women say about breast cancer screening and treatment services. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1). [More Information]

Conferences

  • Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D., Mooney, J., Kutay, C. (2013). The Kinship On-Line Project and Aboriginal Community Engagement. Australian Association for Research in Education Conference 2013 (AARE 2013), Deakin ACT: Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE).
  • Howard-Wagner, D., Kutay, C., Riley, L., Mooney, J. (2012). Decolonising Sociology Curriculum: using an online immersive learning environment to deliver cross-cultural training. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association 2012: Local Lives/Global Networks (TASA 2012), Hawthorn, Victoria: The Australian Sociological Association (TASA).
  • Kutay, C., Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D., Mooney, J. (2012). Teaching Aboriginal Culture Online: sustaining traditions of knowledge sharing. ascilite 2012: Future Challenges|Sustainable Futures, Tugun, Australia: Australian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education Refereed Conference Collection.

Visual Art

  • Riley, L. (2014). untitled. In: Bungaree: The First Australian. Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
  • Riley, L. (2013). Wisdom in Our Country. In: NSW Parliament Indigenous Art Awards. NSW Parliament House, Sydney, Australia.
  • Riley, L. (2012). incised kangaroo-skin cloaks. In: Dhaga Ngiyanhi Ngan.Girra (Where We All Meet). Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, Australia.

Magazine / Newspaper Articles

  • Rawlings, V., Flexner, J., Riley, L. (2021). For too long, research was done on First Nations peoples, not with them. Universities can change this. The Conversation. [More Information]

Working Paper Internal

  • Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D. (2014). Kinship Module Teaching and Learning Framework.

Research Reports

  • Conley Wright, A., Schurer, S., Luu, B., Collings, S., Wardle, I., Ciftci, S., Cashmore, J., Riley, L., Pope, S. (2023). Family group conferencing evaluation: final report, FACS RFT.18.234. [More Information]
  • Angelo, D., Cameron, T., Poetsch, S., Riley, L. (2022). Language journeys: A literature review and guide for communities researching, learning and teaching Aboriginal languages in NSW, Sydney, Australia: Aboriginal Languages Trust.

2024

  • Christie, V., Riley, L., Green, D., Amin, J., Skinner, J., Pyke, C., Gwynne, K. (2024). Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes for Indigenous Women in Australia. Cancers, 16(9), 1736-1-1736-10. [More Information]

2023

  • Christie, V., Riley, L., Green, D., Snook, K., Henningham, M., Rambaldini, B., Amin, J., Pyke, C., Varlow, M., Goss, S., et al (2023). Does breast cancer policy meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia? A review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22, 129: 1-11. [More Information]
  • Conley Wright, A., Schurer, S., Luu, B., Collings, S., Wardle, I., Ciftci, S., Cashmore, J., Riley, L., Pope, S. (2023). Family group conferencing evaluation: final report, FACS RFT.18.234. [More Information]
  • Riley, L., Ciftci, S., Wardle, I. (2023). Family-led decision-making approaches with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. In Susan Heward-Belle (Eds.), Working with families experiencing vulnerability: a partnership approach, (pp. 267-289). Ebook: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]

2022

  • Riley-McNaboe, D., Riley, L. (2022). Introduction to Wiradjuri Mambril & Murru: Symbols & Tracks. Sydney: Sydney School of Education & Social Work, The University of Sydney.
  • Angelo, D., Cameron, T., Poetsch, S., Riley, L. (2022). Language journeys: A literature review and guide for communities researching, learning and teaching Aboriginal languages in NSW, Sydney, Australia: Aboriginal Languages Trust.
  • Riley-McNaboe, D., Riley, L. (2022). Wiradjuri Workbook Bula Ngumbaay: Animals. Volume 3. Sydney: Sydney School of Education & Social Work, The University of Sydney.

2021

  • Riley, L., Sebastian, T., Bowen, B. (2021). Australian Indigenous knowledges and voices in Country. In F. Freschi, J. Venis & F. Nazier (Eds.), The politics of design: Privilege and prejudice in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Polytechnic Press. [More Information]
  • Riley, L. (2021). Community-Led Research through an Aboriginal lens. In V. Rawlings, J. Flexner & L. Riley (Eds.), Community-Led Research: Walking new pathways together, (pp. 9-37). Sydney: Sydney University Press. [More Information]
  • Rawlings, V., Flexner, J., Riley, L. (2021). Community-Led Research: Walking new pathways together. Sydney: Sydney University Press.

2018

  • Riley, L., Moore, C., Holder, J. (2018). The Pearl Gibbs 'Gambanyi' Kangaroo Cloak. In Jacqueline Millner, Catriona Moore (Eds.), Feminist Perspectives on Art: Contemporary Outtakes, (pp. 57-68). Oxon: Routledge. [More Information]
  • Mooney, J., Riley, L., Blacklock, F. (2018). Yarning up: Stories of challenges and success. Australian Journal of Education, 62(3), 266-275. [More Information]

2017

  • Mooney, J., Riley, L., Blacklock, F. (2017). Dimensions of Aboriginal community development. In Not known (Eds.), Mia Mia Aboriginal community development: Fostering cultural security, (pp. 54-72). TBC. [More Information]

2016

  • Riley, L. (2016). Reclaiming tradition and re-affirming cultural identity through creating Kangaroo Skin Cloaks and Possum Skin Cloaks. Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing, 1(1), 5-22.

2015

  • Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D., Mooney, J. (2015). Kinship Online: Engaging 'Cultural Praxis' in a Teaching and Learning Framework for Cultural Competence. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 44(1), 70-84. [More Information]

2014

  • Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D. (2014). Kinship Module Teaching and Learning Framework.
  • Riley, L. (2014). untitled. In: Bungaree: The First Australian. Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia.

2013

  • Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D., Mooney, J., Kutay, C. (2013). Embedding Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge in Curriculum at University Level through Aboriginal Community Engagement. In Rhonda G. Craven, Janet Mooney (Eds.), Seeding Success in Indigenous Australian Higher Education (volume 14), (pp. 251-276). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. [More Information]
  • Kutay, C., Mooney, J., Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D. (2013). Teaching Through Story Mapping. International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society, 9(3), 73-84.
  • Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D., Mooney, J., Kutay, C. (2013). The Kinship On-Line Project and Aboriginal Community Engagement. Australian Association for Research in Education Conference 2013 (AARE 2013), Deakin ACT: Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE).

2012

  • Howard-Wagner, D., Kutay, C., Riley, L., Mooney, J. (2012). Decolonising Sociology Curriculum: using an online immersive learning environment to deliver cross-cultural training. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association 2012: Local Lives/Global Networks (TASA 2012), Hawthorn, Victoria: The Australian Sociological Association (TASA).
  • Kutay, C., Mooney, J., Riley, L., Howard-Wagner, D. (2012). Experiencing Indigenous Knowledge Online as a Community Narrative. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 41(1), 47-59. [More Information]
  • Riley, L. (2012). incised kangaroo-skin cloaks. In: Dhaga Ngiyanhi Ngan.Girra (Where We All Meet). Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, Australia.

2011

  • Riley, L., Genner, M. (2011). Bemel-Gardoo: Embedding Aboriginal cultural content in the science and technology syllabus. In Nola Purdie, Gina Milgate, Hannah Rachel Bell (Eds.), Two way Teaching and Learning: Toward culturally reflective and relevant education, (pp. 119-153). Camberwell, VIC: ACER Press.
  • Mooney, J., Riley, L., Kutay, C. (2011). Indigenous On-Line Cultural Teaching & Sharing. Indigenous Knowledges in Latin America and Australia: Locating Epistemologies, Difference and Dissent, Not applicable: Not applicable.

2010

  • Moore, S., Riley, L. (2010). Aboriginal mother yarns. In Susan Goodwin and Kate Huppatz (Eds.), The Good Mother: Contemporary Motherhoods in Australia, (pp. 175-193). Sydney: Sydney University Press.
  • Riley, L. (2010). The impact of the Education Revolution on Aboriginal education - Mapping of the literature & research against government policy directions. AARE International Education Research Conference 2009, Canberra: Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE).

2007

  • Riley, L. (2007). Untapping resources for indigenous students. In Sally Knipe (Eds.), Middle Years Schooling: Reframing adolescence, (pp. 59-94). Frenchs Forest, NSW Australia: Pearson Education.

Selected Grants

2019

  • Fostering lifelong connections for children in permanent care, Conley Wright A, Riley L, Collings S, Cashmore J, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)

2017

  • Yarning in healthcare settings, Webster E, Wild J, Luscombe G, Collett J, Riley L, Walke E, Brown A, Hawke C, Martin T, DVC Education/Large Educational Innovation Grant

Lynette also has a passion for creating Aboriginal art and is currently exhibiting a collection she collaborated on with her sister Diane Riley McNaboe, reflecting Wiradjuri culture.

The exhibition, Dhaga Ngiyahni Ngan.Girra (Where we all meet) has been on display at the Maclaey Museum

Related research articles

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