School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Ms Susan Beetson

Research Officer
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
+61 7 336 53476
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Researcher biography

Susan Beetson is a Ngemba Computer Science researcher, practitioner, and educator, who grew up in very remote Aboriginal communities of Brewarrina and Gongolgon. Susan has 30 years' experience in corporate computer science and information technology management and ten years in higher education as an educator in Information Systems and Interactive Technologies in computer science and human centred computing, and Aboriginal value systems and Knowledges in Indigenous studies. As an Academic in UQ's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a chief investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures.

Susan's team explores digital rights management to facilitate Traditional Custodians' perpetual royalties and retaining Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property, toward economic independence. Susan is a Fellow with the Australian Internet Governance Forum and collaborates with Pacific Islander peoples to bring Indigenous value systems and perspectives to the structures, standards, and systems that underpin internet governance.

Susan's PhD thesis, which explored the dyadic phenomenon of culturally different network nodes, extending social media network theories. The impact of Susan's Indigenist research extends Eurocentric designed virtual, interactive and immersive spaces and process incl. AI, XR and emerging technologies. As Ngemba Wiradjuri and grown up on Country her lived experience of social, institutional and political dimensions that impact Aboriginal peoples lives in Australia enables Susan to critically analyse and reflect on all aspects, reflexively throughout her research.

Along with esteemed national and international Indigenous academics, Susan is a Chief Investigator on the $35,000,000 ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures and won a highly competitve Science & Technology Australia's #SuperstarsOfStem program. Susan is also a guest Academic Editor for Information Systems Journal (ISJ) and Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues (JAIIS).

Publications

Journal Articles (3)
Conference Papers (2)
Generic Document (1)

Journal Articles

Fredericks, Bronwyn, Martin, Kathryn, Warner, Brian, Perkins, Ren, Combo, Troy, McConochie, Emily, Stajic, Janet, Thomson, Amy, Holland, Lorelle, Olssen, Emma, Thompson, Kate, Broderick, Trudi, Gilbert, Stephanie, Murphy, Lyndon, Lee, Natasha, Beetson, Susan, Fraser, Jed, Allan, Hannah and Bunda, Tracey (2022). Ready to Write. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, 25 (3-4), 1-10.
Beetson, Susan Joy, Pradhan, Sojen, Gordon, Grace and Ford, Jason (2020). Building a digital entrepreneurial platform through local community activity and digital skills with Ngemba First Nation, Australia. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 11 (1), 1-19. doi: 10.18584/iipj.2020.11.1.10211
Whatman, Sue, McLaughlin, Juliana, Willsteed, Susan, Tyhuis, Annie and Beetson, Susan (2008). Quality and efficacy of the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) for university students. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37 (S1), 118-130. doi: 10.1375/S1326011100000454

Conference Papers

Pradhan, Sojen, Beetson, Susan and Kutay, Cat (2018). Building Digital Entrepreneurial Platform through Local Community Activity and Digital Skills in Aboriginal Australia. ACIS2018, Sydney, Australia, 3-5 December 2018. Sydney, Australia: ACIS2018.org.
Beetson, Susan, Tyhuis, Annie, Willsteed, Susan, McLaughlin, Juliana and Whatman, Sue (2007). ITAS in a virtual environment – quality and efficacy in Indigenous tertiary student support. Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Knowledge ISIK Conference, Sydney NSW Australia, 11-13 July 2007. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Oodgeroo Unit, Queensland University of Technology.

Generic Document

Birks, Georgia and Beetson, Susan Joy (2024). Digital culture hubs: Storing Traditional knowledges for contemporary use. Australian Institute of Architects.

Areas of research

Human Centred Computing