Submission Description
The study of history often depends on access to archives. But this raises questions about who has access, and which materials are deemed significant. As Jacques Derrida wrote in Archive Fever (1995), “[T]here is no political power without control of the archive, if not memory. Effective democratisation can always be measured by this essential criterion: the participation in and access to the archive, its constitution, and its interpretation.”
This roundtable session unites Indonesia-focused researchers from institutions in Indonesia and Australia to explore how archives can reveal lesser-known histories. Projects represented include:
• Global Encounters & First Nations Peoples: A research project examining interactions between Australia’s Indigenous peoples and ocean voyagers over the past millennium.
• Queer Indonesia Archive: A digital archiving project that collects, preserves and celebrates the lives and experiences of queer Indonesia.
• Monash Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre: A research centre fostering collaborations between Monash researchers and Indonesia.
• The MAREGE Institute: A research and cultural centre investigating encounters between Makassan sailors and Australian Indigenous communities since the 15th century.
The panel will expand on the concept of the historical archive to encompass oral histories, ephemera, family records, linguistic and archaeological evidence, and botanical and genetic data. Presenters will address challenges in translation, cultural differences, and digital methods for accessibility, aiming to engage communities with hidden histories.
This roundtable session unites Indonesia-focused researchers from institutions in Indonesia and Australia to explore how archives can reveal lesser-known histories. Projects represented include:
• Global Encounters & First Nations Peoples: A research project examining interactions between Australia’s Indigenous peoples and ocean voyagers over the past millennium.
• Queer Indonesia Archive: A digital archiving project that collects, preserves and celebrates the lives and experiences of queer Indonesia.
• Monash Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre: A research centre fostering collaborations between Monash researchers and Indonesia.
• The MAREGE Institute: A research and cultural centre investigating encounters between Makassan sailors and Australian Indigenous communities since the 15th century.
The panel will expand on the concept of the historical archive to encompass oral histories, ephemera, family records, linguistic and archaeological evidence, and botanical and genetic data. Presenters will address challenges in translation, cultural differences, and digital methods for accessibility, aiming to engage communities with hidden histories.
Presenters
Presenters
Roundtable Convenors
Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Lynette Russell AM - Monash University