During a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) internship, Grace had the opportunity to catalogue the UC FAD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and Artefact Teaching Collection (the Collection). She identified challenges such as limited digital access, preservation issues, and ethical considerations. Encountering these issues first-hand, Grace identified the need for a more robust digital catalogue system. These experiences inspired her to develop an honours research project focused on enhancing access to the Collection through a digitalised catalogue. By comparing a range of catalogue interfaces, Grace aims to propose the most effective solution, emphasising ethical research principles for an Indigenous collection. The presentation takes the audience on a journey
through Grace’s experience in Indigenous studies, and working with the collection, considering her position as a non-Indigenous researcher, highlighting how digitisation can enhance the accessibility and visibility of the collection for university audiences, including students, researchers, staff, and future curators.
Bio
Grace Zhang is a cultural heritage student currently doing an Honours research project at the University of Canberra. With a strong foundation in museum studies and psychology, she recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UC. Grace’s current research focuses on digitising the UC FAD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and Artefact Teaching Collection (the Collection), aiming to propose a comprehensive catalogue as a first step towards future implementation and preservation. Her passion lies in bridging the gap between cultural heritage and digital innovation to enhance accessibility and scholarly discourse.