Rate My Professor Jennifer Buchanan

Jennifer Buchanan serves as an associate lecturer in the Community Development Programme at Murdoch University, within the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Her research expertise encompasses Aboriginal community development, rural community development, and urban community development. Buchanan's work centers on community development practice, particularly examining collaborative approaches and ethical methodologies in engaging with Indigenous Australian communities. She has contributed significantly to projects that promote Noongar knowledge networks and respectful research practices.

Born and raised in Noongar boodjar in the South West of Western Australia, Buchanan trained and practiced as a youth and community worker before taking on roles as a researcher, trainer, and project manager in numerous Aboriginal community organisations. She previously held the position of ARC research associate in the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia. Her academic career includes teaching experience at both Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia. Buchanan has appeared in podcasts alongside Dr. David Palmer, discussing journeys in community development with Indigenous Australians.

Among her key publications is 'Pirnilu Nintipungkupayi (Everyone Is a Teacher): Keeping Old People's Spirit Healthy Through Education,' published in Social Inclusion in 2024, co-authored with Jan Turner, Daisy Ward, and Elizabeth Giles. Other works include 'Koorliny birniny, ni, quoppa katatjin: respect and ethics in working with Indigenous Australian communities' (2019), co-authored with Len Collard; contributions to the Cultural Science Journal such as 'Noongar boordier gnulla katitjin – The influence of Noongar knowledge' (2016), 'Gnulla Koorliny – Working with other groups' (2016), and 'Katitjin kulungka mia – Work with schools' (2016); and chapters in 'Ngapartji ngapartji ninti and koorliny karnya quoppa katitjin.' Her publications reflect a commitment to integrating Indigenous perspectives in community practice. On ResearchGate, she is associated with 15 publications and 15 citations.