Tom Austen Brown Research
About us
Tom Austen Brown researchers develop research in the field of archaeology, thanks to a generous donation by the late Tom Austen Brown, an avid amateur archaeologist. As a lawyer, his work required him to visit clients living on remote outback properties where he began collecting ancient Aboriginal artefacts. This inspired a passion for prehistory that led him to enrol in an arts degree at the University of Sydney, majoring in archaeology.
Our people
Tom Austen Brown is made up of University of Sydney academics, researchers and affiliates. We welcome the expertise of national and international researchers in our field.
- Associate Professor Lesley Beaumont
- Professor Annie Clarke
- Dr Pat Faulkner
- Dr James Flexner
- Professor Chris Hilliard
(Head of the School of Humanities) - Dr Tristen Jones
- Dr Joseph W. Lehner
- Dr Amy Way
- Dr Brit Assmussen
- Dr Val Attenbrow
- Dr Ian Gilligan
- Professor Antonieta Jerardino
- Associate Professor Lisa Nagaoka
- Professor Marjorie Sullivan
- Professor Peter Veth
- Professor Steven Wolverton
Events
The Tom Austen Brown Memorial Lecture
This annual lecture is made possible through the generosity of University of Sydney graduate Tom Austen Brown (LLB ’46 BA ’74).
In his early professional life, Tom was a lawyer but had the heart of an archaeologist, often searching for Aboriginal artefacts in the sand dunes and desert flats around Broken Hill, where he lived. Without realising it, he put together one of the most significant – yet unofficial – collections of Aboriginal stone artefacts in Australia. He completed archaeology studies at the University in 1973.
During his life, Tom gave $1.6 million to the University, and on his passing in 2009, left a $6.9 million bequest to the Discpline of Archaeology. Tom’s bequest has already created the Chair of Australian Archaeology, the first endowed chair of archaeology in the country to include Australia in its brief. There is also the Tom Austen Brown Grants Program for Prehistory.
Tom has helped create a future for Australia’s past.