Professor Martin Nakata

B.Ed.Hons.PhD

Martin Nakata is a Professor of Indigenous Education teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses. He is currently the Director of the Nura Gili Indigenous Programs Unit at University of New South Wales. His current research area is in Indigenous higher education studying forms of Indigenous academic persistence, or habits of learning, that correlate with educational performance. Professor Nakata has also undertaken research work in the libraries and archives sector and published widely on the Indigenous library issues.

What inspired you to take this role?

My interest in the library like many others stems back to my first library card. Two of my fondest memories go back some too. The first was at high school when my friend and I challenged each other to read every book in the library (bored obviously with what other kids were doing during the breaks); and the other was in my undergraduate years when the librarian woke me up and sent me home. Libraries for me offer a window into the world’s knowledge and there is much to learn about who we are in this world.