Griffith University

BA (Contemporary Music), MEd. (Indigenous Studies)

Contact details for Ms Marcelle Townsend-Cross

Professional Biography

Marcelle graduated from the University of Technology Sydney in 2009 with a Master of Education, Indigenous Studies and from Southern Cross University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts, Contemporary Music.  Her research and professional activity has concentrated on defining and engaging Indigenous Australian philosophy in relation to pedagogical theory and praxis in past, present and future contexts, and in engaging Indigenous Australian values in mainstream Australian social policy and practice. Specifically, her research pursuits focus on exploring critical Indigenous Studies pedagogical theory and practice in the vocational, higher education and community adult education sectors. Marcelle is a mixed heritage Indigenous Australian of Biripi, Worimi and Irish decent and is an established singer/songwriter, performing and recording with her band ‘Monkey and the Fish’

Current teaching areas

• Indigenous Australian Studies

Research expertise

• Critical Indigenous Studies pedagogical theory and practice.
  

Publications

Book chapters

• Townsend-Cross, M., 2011, ‘Indigenous Education and Indigenous Studies in the Australian Academy: assimilationism, critical pedagogy, dominant culture learners and Indigenous knowledges’ in Indigenous Philosophies and Critical Education, Dei, G., Peter Lang Publishing, New York.
  

Peer reviewed journal articles

• Biermann, S. & Townsend-Cross, 2008, ‘Indigenous Pedagogy as a Force for Change’, Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, Vol. 37, Supplement 2008, pp. 146-154, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2004, ‘Indigenous Australian perspectives in early childhood education’. International Journal of Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp 2-11.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2002, ‘Respecting Children’s Voices’. Every Child, Australian Early Childhood Association Journal, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp.8-9.
  

Keynotes

• Townsend, Cross, M., 2006, ‘Self-governance for Indigenous early childhood education in Australia:  the challenges ahead’, International Perspectives on Indigenous Early Childhood Care and Development Conference, REACH, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2005, ‘Could we, Should we, engage Indigenous pedagogies to educate Australian Children?’ Koori Education Gathering, Catholic Education Office, Yarrawarra, NSW.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2004, ‘Respecting Children’, Growing up Culture Strong, National Indigenous Child Rearing & Good Practice in Service Delivery Workshop, Brisbane, Queensland.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2004, ‘Indigenous Australian Perspectives in Early Childhood Education’, Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association 5th Annual International Conference and Meeting, Identities and innovations: Shaping better worlds through early childhood education, 16-19 July 2004, Melbourne.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2004, ‘Historical perspectives: Indigenous Australians and Education’, Early Childhood Conference, Ballina (EAC).
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2003, ‘Respecting Children in Education’, Our Children the Future 3, Early Childhood Education Conference, Adelaide, South Australia.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2001, ‘Following Blind’, National Indigenous Women’s Conference, Sydney.
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2001, ‘Honour and Respect for all our Children’, Honouring the Child, Honouring Equity Conference, Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne. 
• Townsend-Cross, M., 2000, ‘Respecting the Children’, Challenging the Children Conference, Byron Bay Early Childhood Association.
  

Conference Papers

• Biermann, S. & Townsend-Cross, M., 2007, ‘Indigenous Pedagogy as a Force for Change’, Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Knowledge Conference, University of Technology, Sydney. Co-presenter Soenke Biermann, Honours Candidate, School of Arts, SCU.
• Biermann, S. & Townsend-Cross, M., 2007, ‘Indigenous Pedagogy: beyond access and participation’, Diversity in Education Conference, Southern Cross University.
• Woods, G., Atkinson, J., Townsend-Cross, M. & Graham, J., 2004, ‘Learning within Kuntri’, Conference on Learning, Glasgow, Scotland. 
• Townsend-Cross, M., Woods, G. & Atkinson, J., 2003, ‘The Barriers, Challenges and Success of developing and delivering courses, for by and about Indigenous peoples, based on Indigenous pedagogical frameworks and Indigenous terms of reference’, Soul in Education Conference: Celebrating the Spirit of Learning, Southern Cross University.