Rate My Professor Darlene Rotumah

Darlene Rotumah, an Aboriginal (Bundjalung) and South Sea Islander Australian, is a Lecturer in the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples at Southern Cross University, based at the Gold Coast campus. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Sydney, a Master of Indigenous Studies from Southern Cross University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Southern Cross University, awarded in 2023. Her doctoral thesis, titled "Yarning with Aboriginal-identified health workers," examines the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified health workers as they navigate the cultural interface within mainstream health contexts, including challenges such as resistance to inclusive protocols, role misunderstandings, racism, and impacts on career longevity. For this outstanding work, she received the Southern Cross University Chancellor’s Medal in 2024. Prior to her academic appointment, Rotumah worked for 16 years as an Aboriginal health worker and counsellor at Bugalwena Health Service in Tweed Heads, where she also participated as both a practitioner and researcher in community health initiatives.

Rotumah's research is deeply rooted in cultural values, traditions, and connection to Country, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous methodologies, cultural safety, self-determination, decolonisation, community engagement, empowerment, and the cultural interface. Her scholarship enhances teaching, research, and community knowledge to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities. Key publications include "Racism and Implications for Health Inequity among Aboriginal People in Australia" (2021, co-authored with Kathomi Gatwiri and others), "Kanyini in education and health; if it's safe, they will stay" (2025, with Kylie Day), "Practices and responses that help or hinder disclosures of child sexual abuse: Perspectives from victim survivors and practitioners" (2025, with Lynne McPherson and others), and a chapter in "Healing mainstream health: building understanding and respect for Indigenous knowledges" (2020, with Liz Rix). In teaching, she employs Aboriginal learning techniques to create safe environments that encourage questioning, sharing, and risk-taking, earning her the Inspiring Educator Outstanding Teaching Award in 2024. She also serves as a co-supervisor in higher degree research teams.