Cultural science research

Cultural science is an important field of research in the NSW Government. It looks at how using Aboriginal cultural values, knowledge, practices, and assets can help care for New South Wales's landscape and biodiversity. This research helps us understand the environment better and builds meaningful connections and collaborations between cultures. It respects and celebrates Aboriginal peoples' traditions and their close relationship with the land, encouraging everyone to work together to care for and preserve it.

This video provides a snapshot of cultural science undertaken by the department for the benefit of Country. A full introduction to cultural science and the specific work underway in cultural fire science can be found on SEED’s Natural Hazards Science Hub.

Benefits of cultural science

Cultural science has a vital role and makes an impact in many ways:

• supports Aboriginal people in connecting with Country
• deepens our understanding of cultural processes, practices, and systems
• generates mapping tools like the Aboriginal sites decision support tool
• integrates Aboriginal values into environmental policy and planning
• empowers Aboriginal communities in landscape management
• fosters cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration
• educates and informs stakeholders about cultural science and research outcomes.

Research projects

Cultural science research highlights the important contributions of Aboriginal culture, values, knowledge, and practices to science. It brings new ideas and improves engagement and understanding across New South Wales.

Climate change

Aboriginal communities have unique and valuable views on climate change, deeply connected to their land. As climate change risks grow, they actively practice, evolve, and revitalise their cultural values to respond to these challenges. Embracing their living culture allows for innovation and unique adaptation, showing the importance of Aboriginal wisdom in climate resilience discussions.

Developing a cultural monitoring framework

Aboriginal cultural practices offer many benefits, which are often not recorded in program outcomes. Our cultural monitoring framework helps Aboriginal communities document and share how their practices lead to different outcomes. By showing the significant impact of cultural engagement, we can better appreciate the richness of Aboriginal traditions and knowledge and their crucial role in caring for our shared environment.

Integrating Aboriginal knowledge into bushfire planning

Aboriginal people have cultural responsibilities to care for and protect the land. Our research helps Aboriginal ranger teams take part in bushfire planning. This teamwork values Aboriginal knowledge and voices, ensuring cultural values are respected in firefighting efforts. Combining traditional knowledge with modern practices allows us to manage our landscapes more effectively and respectfully.

Using cultural knowledge in environmental management

Aboriginal Elders and knowledge holders have valuable insights about the land that can greatly improve our approach to environmental management. Our research highlights the importance of respectful partnerships during conservation assessments, ensuring that cultural perspectives and outcomes are recognised and prioritised.

Cultural mapping

Our research looks at different tools, practices, methods, and applications for cultural mapping and map-making. One example is the Aboriginal sites decision support tool, which shows how Aboriginal heritage is present across the landscape and helps Aboriginal communities with their planning and decision-making. We also help Aboriginal communities create their own maps to document their knowledge, experiences, stories, and connections to the land in meaningful ways, including art-based counter-mapping exercises.