Dr Lisa Strelein

Director of AIATSIS Research Program and Director of the Native Title Research Unit (NTRU)

Adjunct Professor, National Centre for Indigenous Studies, College of Law, Australian National University

Contact: lisa.strelein@aiatsis.gov.au

Lisa’s research and publications have focused on the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the state, and the role of the courts in defining Indigenous peoples’ rights. 

Lisa has made a significant contribution to academic debate on native title in Australia, including her book Compromised Jurisprudence: Native Title Cases since Mabo. Now in its second edition, the book has been heralded by members of the judiciary and Indigenous community alike.

Lisa maintains strong networks within the native title system, conducting research projects in partnership with or in response to the needs of native title representative bodies and claimants as well as government departments. Lisa has an interest in taxation and corporate design and planning elements of native title organisations.

She is also on the Executive Board of AIATSIS and takes a strong interest in the internal governance of the Institute. Lisa is the convenor of the annual National Native Title Conference, which remains the leading annual Indigenous policy conference in Australia.

She has degrees in Commerce and Law and was awarded a PhD, for her thesis examining Indigenous sovereignty and the common law, from the ANU Research School of Social Sciences in 1998. Lisa is an Adjunct Professor with the College of Law and National Centre for Indigenous Studies at the Australian National University.

Current Research Focus

Lisa's current research projects are focused on the core research projects of the NTRU and include:

• Prescribed Bodies Corporate and building the capacity of native title communities;
• Taxation Trusts and the Distribution of benefits from native title agreements;  
• Authorisation and Indigenous Decision-making;
• Assessing connection in native title mediation;
• Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements : The Australian Research Council collaboration with University of Melbourne colleagues, examines the implementation and sustainability of agreements with Indigenous people;
• The jurisprudence of native title and current native title policy and practice;

• The philosophical foundations of Indigenous peoples engagement with the state;
• Analysis of broader land settlements.

Selected Publications

See also Lisa Stelein's comprehensive list of publications.

Books

• Strelein, L., 2009. Compromised Jurisprudence: Native Title Cases since Mabo, 2nd edn, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.
• Strelein, L., 2006. Compromised Jurisprudence: Native Title Cases since Mabo, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.
• Brennan, S., L. Behrendt, L. Strelein, and G. Williams, 2005. Treaty , Federation Press.

Edited Books

• Strelein L.M (ed). 2010. Dialogue about Land Justice: papers from the native title conference, AIATSIS, Canberra

Book chapters

• Strelein, L. and J. Weir. 2009. ‘Conservation and Human Rights in the Context of Native Title in Australia’, book chapter in Campese, J, Sunderland, T, Greiber, T and G Oviedo (eds)  Exploring Issues and Opportunities in Rights Based Approaches to Conservation ( 4.07 Mb), CIFOR, IUCN and CEESP, Bogor, Indonesia.
• Strelein L, M Morgan and J Weir. 2006. 'Authority, knowledge and values: Indigenous Nations engagement in the management of natural resources in the Murray-Darling Basin', in M Langton, O Mazel, L Palmer, K Shain and M Tehan (eds) Settling with Indigenous peoples: Case Studies in agreement making from Australia, Canada and New Zealand , Federation Press.
• Strelein, L 2005, ‘Culture and Commerce, the use of fishing traditions in proving native title’, in Taylor et al (eds.) The Power of Knowledge: The Resonance of Tradition Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra
• Strelein, L.M. 2004. Symbolism and Function: From native title to Indigenous self-government (chapter 11). In M. Langton, M. Tehan, L. Palmer and K. Shain (eds), Honour Among Nations: Treaties and Agreements with Indigenous People , Melbourne University Publishing, Melbourne. 189-202.

Refereed Articles

• Strelein, L. 2009. ‘A Captive of Statute ’, 93 Reform (Native Title), pp. 48–52.
• Strelein L, 2006. (reproduced) ‘Missed Meanings: The language of sovereignty in the Treaty debate ( 159 Kb)’, in P Read, G Meyers and B Reece (eds). What Good Condition: Reflections on an Australian Aboriginal Treaty 1986-2006, Aboriginal History Monograph 13, ANU EPress, Canberra.
• Strelein, L.M. 2005. ‘From Mabo to Yorta Yorta: Native Title Law in Australia’ ( 296 Kb), Washington University Journal of Law and Policy vol. 19, special edition entitled ‘International and Comparative Perspectives on Indigenous Rights’.
• Strelein, L, 2005, ‘Native title-holding groups and native title societies: Sampi v State of Western Australia [2005], ( 139 Kb)’ in Land, Rights, Laws: Issues of Native Title, Vol. 3, No. 4, Native Title Research Unit, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra.
• Strelein, L.M. 2001. ‘Conceptualising Native Title’, 23 University of Sydney Law Review 95-124.
• Strelein, L.M. 2000. ‘The ‘Courts of the Conqueror’: The Utility of the Courts for the Assertion of Indigenous Self-determination Claims’ , 5(3) Australian Indigenous Law Reporter 1-23.

Refereed Multi-media publications

• Strelein, L.M., J. Andersen, A. Terrill, J. Weir. 2002. Native Title Business: A national traveling exhibition , text for display, catalogue and educational material on native title and Indigenous art, curated by Joan Winter and the Gurang Land Council.
• Strelein, L.M.  2001. ‘Native Title’ Stream , in Mabo – The Judicial Revolution 2 CD Rom package and Internet site (www.MaboNativeTitle.com), directed by Trevor Graham, Tantamount Productions, Film Australia (BAFTA and multiple award winner).

Discussion Papers, commentaries and other articles

• Strelein, L.M. 2001. ‘Australia’s nation-building: Renegotiating the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the state’, with Michael Dodson, 24(3) University of New South Wales Law Journal , Centenary of Federation Special Issue. 826-39.