Professor Kyllie Cripps is a Palawa woman and Director of Monash’s Indigenous Studies Centre. She is one of Australia’s leading researchers on Indigenous family violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Leading major grants she has contributed to the field through empirical studies that have defined violence on Indigenous terms, identified factors contributing to violence, and examined the access and availability of services in the aftermath of violence. Her work has been critical in identifying gaps and opportunities to create sustainable solutions to support policy and practice change.

Kyllie’s research and engagement on solutions draws on the strength of her interdisciplinary experience and the value of using an intersectional lens for appreciating the context of violence. In the ‘doing of research’ Kyllie is focussed on creating safe places for community members to talk about topics often shrouded in silence. Hearing their stories and working with community to identify areas for change and the solutions for change is always a privilege. Her work has focussed on providing communities with resources to support their work locally, networking with individuals and community organisations and connecting them to other parts of Australia and the world to create a network of care and safety that can be a source of learning and empowerment for all.

Kyllie is also committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of Indigenous and non Indigenous professionals, academics and scholars so that they too, may be inspired and motivated by the grounded experiences of working with and for community.