Lab PhD Researchers

Barkandji Elder, Aunty Sophia Pearce

Aunty Sophia Pearce is currently undertaking her PhD within the RMIT Architecture Landscape program. Her research situates the ancient practice of weaving and native grasses from a sovereign Barkandji perspective in relation with discipline of Landscape Architecture.
Supervisors: Associate Professor Christine Phillips and Associate Professor Katrina Simon

Carroll Go-Sam

Carroll Co-Sam is a Senior Lecturer of Architecture from the University of Queensland and a Dyirbal gumbilbara bama of Ravenshoe, North Queensland. Entitled Nganadji (we all) balu (come here), Carroll's research explores how Dyirbal relationality has shaped and informed Indigenous themes within her design practice research.
Supervisors: Associate Professor Christine Phillips and Dr Jock Gilbert

Beau de Belle

Beau de Belle is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Design at the University of Sydney. He is a Gamilaraay man who completed his PhD within the RMIT Architecture Program in 2024. Beau is the THIRD First Peoples scholars to complete a PhD in architecture in Australia. Entitled 'Message Stick Protocols: Fostering First Nations’ Cultural Empowerment in the Built Environment', Beau’s research examined frameworks for embedding Indigenous cultural protocols in architectural practice to foster reciprocity and community-centred outcomes. Beau is currently a is a
Supervisors: Distinguished Professor Martyn Hook, Adjunct Professor Anthony Hoete ((Māori, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Ranana descent), Associate Professor Christine Phillips