Isabel first developed her interest in Aboriginal languages, music, and culture during her childhood living and going to school in the Anungu Pitjantjatjara Community of Pukatja (Ernabella) in Central Australia. During her PhD research, she worked closely and collaboratively with Aboriginal elders, ceremony holders, singers, dancers, and other community members in western Arnhem Land communities (Northern Territory) to document languages and songs of this highly multilingual region. For over 14 years, Isabel has worked on various projects with Aboriginal communities, including most recently in her role of Project Coordinator (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research) at Hearing Australia alongside Community Partnerships Lead, Wiradjuri researcher Dr Michelle Kennedy (University of Newcastle). Isabel is passionate about working respectfully and collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research colleagues and communities, and about translational research that builds local capacity.

Education

Isabel holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Linguistics) and a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from The University of Melbourne.