At the ±¬ÁÏÍõ’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP), First Nations leadership is central to our commitment to embedding Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices and agency across education, research and practice.
Through governance and academic leadership, learning at ADP is grounded in Country, respectful collaboration, inclusive approaches and cultural continuity.
Indigenous Knowledge Place
Our First Nations leadership is brought together through the Indigenous Knowledge Place (IKP) working group, led by Associate Professor ,Ìý¶Ù°ùÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý²Ñ²õÌý.
The IKP provides a dedicated space for Indigenous-led knowledge sharing, dialogue and engagement. Through yarning, workshops, exhibitions and storytelling, the IKP supports teaching, research and collaboration that meaningfully embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
This work prepares ADP graduates and staff to contribute to the built environment with culturally informed perspectives, respect for Country and a commitment to sustainability, community and long-term impact.
Associate Professor Michael Mossman
Kuku Yalanji |Â Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services
As Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services,  leads the School’s Indigenous strategy and Indigenous Knowledge Place, guiding the meaningful integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across curriculum, research and governance.Â
Indigenous knowledge systems can fundamentally transform architecture, design and planning by deepening understandings of Country and fostering regenerative, relational approaches to design.
A registered architect (non-practicing) with more than 20 years’ experience, Michael brings expertise from practice, government and academia. He was recently the co-creative director for the Australia Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, and is nationally recognised for his leadership in Indigenous architectural education, including the Australian Institute of Architects’ Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize.
Michael is also a DAATSIA Fellow and chief investigator on Indigenising the Built Environment in Australia, a major Australian Research Council Discovery Indigenous project. The research explores how First Nations performance criteria in the National Standard of Competency for Architects relate to Country, communities and cultural practice.
Dr Beau de Belle
Gomeroi and Gamilaraay | Senior Lecturer, Indigenising Curriculum
¶Ù°ùÌý works across disciplines to integrate First Nations knowledge systems as a central part of ADP’s curriculum design, ensuring Indigenous perspectives are embedded across learning and teaching. He also supports staff development, guiding educators to bring Country and Indigenous knowledge into their practice.
What excites me most is the potential to fundamentally shift how emerging designers understand and respect Country.
His PhD explored Indigenous ways of knowing in architectural and design contexts, shaping his approach to curriculum.Â
With a background in architecture and carpentry, Beau brings hands-on experience to his teaching as a Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Design, connecting theory, practice, and cultural knowledge.
Ms Elle Davidson
Balanggarra | Aboriginal Planning Lecturer
²Ñ²õÌý brings deep experience in local government, community engagement, town planning and Aboriginal led training into her teaching and curriculum leadership at ADP.Â
Since joining ADP, Elle has taught across Urbanism and led efforts to embed Indigenous knowledges and perspectives throughout the Urbanism curriculum, ensuring Country, culture, and community are integral to students’ learning journeys rather than isolated moments.
Elle has also contributed to Australia’s representation at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, supporting students from multiple universities to explore ideas of home, belonging, and cultural connection through collaborative practice.
First Nations knowledges have the power to transform how we care for Country for generations to come.
Growing First Nations leadership and community
For Michael, Beau and Elle, the Indigenous Knowledge Place provides a visible platform to celebrate the achievements and contributions of First Nations staff, students and collaborators across ADP.
Recent Indigenous staff recruitment initiatives have included the appointment of Bradley Kerr (Quandamooka) and Marni Reti (Trawoolway) as associate lecturers of practice, alongside Ebony Syron (Biripi) and Liam Coe (Wiradjuri) in professional roles as senior research officers.
Together, these leaders and initiatives are strengthening ADP’s capacity to lead Indigenous-informed teaching, research and engagement in architecture, design and planning.
Shaping the future of the built environment
By creating spaces to gather, share knowledge and collaborate, ADP’s First Nations leaders are helping to transform the sustainable and culturally informed approaches to the built environment.Â