Dr Paul Monaghan
Senior Research Fellow
School of Humanities
College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities
From 6 Jan 2025 I have been employed as Senior Research Fellow within the School of Humanities. I am Director and Senior Linguist of the Mobile Language Team, a research centre attached to the School of Humanities within the College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities.
Research and Scholarship
In 2026, I have been awarded three new grants totalling $4,446,395. In 2025, I was awarded an additional $848,282 to extend the operation of the MLT into 2025-26. One of the new grants, Pathways to Community-Led Language Work (Phase 3) ($300,000) is the third funded instalment of a highly successful multi-year program, showing that MLT is recognised by the federal government as having life changing impact in this space. Over four years, 256 Aboriginal people have attended Pathways workshops in 9 regional locations and Adelaide.
In September 2026, the MLT was awarded a prestigious Industry research contract to research and write a Target 16 SA Aboriginal Languages Plan for the Department of Premier and Cabinet ($100,000). This award promises to give the MLT and our community stakeholders a voice at the heart of government to significantly influence how and where state funds are allocated to strengthen Aboriginal languages. It also reinforces the MLT’s position as the peak body in SA when it comes to research into Aboriginal language futures.
These new awards continue a long trajectory of MLT excellence and grant success: between 2018 and 2024 I was awarded 22 grants ($5,400,000) and 16 Industry contracts ($734,000). In 2024 I received a University of Adelaide Commendation for Grant Excellence Award for these achievements.
Since January 2025, I have led a small team of linguists and Aboriginal language and culture experts to address the key areas of research outlined below. My approach, developed after years of fieldwork in Aboriginal communities, is to work from practice to theory, focusing on integrating Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (language, social systems, cultural practices) with academic knowledge to produce impactful, co-designed applications that increase access to and competence in language for Aboriginal people. This work is informed by an ecological approach to language and contributes to international theories of language revival and best international practice.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Senior Research Fellow | University of Adelaide |
| 2016 - 2025 | Manager & Senior Linguist, Mobile Language Team | University of Adelaide |
| 2012 - 2016 | Senior Linguist | University of Adelaide |
| 2010 - 2013 | University Postdoctoral Fellow A | University of Adelaide |
| 2009 - 2012 | Team Leader, Mobile Language Team (Level B) | University of Adelaide |
| 2009 - 2009 | Project Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive | University of Technology Sydney |
| 2007 - 2009 | Project Officer, Intangible Cultural Heritage Program | Australian Museum |
| 1998 - 1998 | Research Assitant | University of Adelaide |
| 1997 - 1997 | Linguistics Tutor | University of Adelaide |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Award | The University Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the category of A Connected and Enriched Community | University of Adelaide | Australia | $2,500 |
| 2025 | Nomination | Katiti Wiru (Healthy Teeth) | University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2024 | Research Award | Commendation for Grant Excellence | University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2019 | Distinction | Hansard acknowledgement of Parliamentary Submission | South Australian Parliament | Australia | - |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| French | Can read and write |
| German | Can read and write |
| Spanish; Castilian | Can read and write |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 - 2012 | Flinders University | Australia | MA Sociology |
| 1999 - 2003 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD Linguistics |
| 1995 - 1998 | University of Adelaide | Australia | BA Hons (First Cass) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Monaghan, P. (2020). Kokatha Mula and Yabi Dinah - Hidden Categories in "Against Native Title". Journal of the Anthropological Society of South Australia, 89-126. |
| 2015 | Monaghan, P. (2015). Tindale’s Antakirinja and the search for the real Western Desert natives. Journal of the Anthropological Society of South Australia, 39, 101-129. |
| 2015 | Monaghan, P. (2015). Tindale’s antakirinja and the search for the ‘real western desert natives’. Journal of the Anthropological Society of South Australia, 39, 73-101. Scopus2 |
| 2012 | Monaghan, P. (2012). Going for Wombat - Transformations in Wirangu and the Scotdesco Community on the Far West Coast of South Australia. Oceania, 82(1), 45-61. Scopus15 |
| 2008 | Monaghan, P., Christidis, L., & Daniel, V. (2008). Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Pacific: a Brief Report on Recent Progress at the Australian Museum. International Journal of Intangible Heritage, 3, 144-147. |
| 2008 | Christidis, L., Daniel, V., Monaghan, P., Carrillo-Huffman, Y., & Huffman, K. (2008). Engaging with Creator Communities: The Way Forward for Museums. The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum, 1(2), 1-6. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monaghan, P. (2025). Audrey's Story. MLT Press. |
| 2023 | Stories of the Tanganekald A Collection of Ancient Stories from the Coorong South Australia (2023). . |
| 2020 | Monaghan, P., & Walsh, M. (2020). More Than Mere Words Essays on Language and Linguistics in Honour of Peter Sutton. |
| 2019 | Monaghan, P., Lester, K., Fisher, W., & Byrne, H. (2019). Wangka Wankaru. Adelaide: MLT Press. |
| 2010 | Mühlhäusler, P., Monaghan, P., & Naessan, P. (2010). Keeping language strong within the family : recommendations for families and communities. Adelaide, South Australia: University of Adelaide Press. |
| 2010 | Miller, G., Hercus, L. A., Monaghan, P., & Naessan, P. (2010). A Dictionary of the Wirangu Language of the Far West Coast of South Australia. |
| 2006 | Miller, G., Monaghan, P., & Mühlhäusler, P. (2006). An Introduction to Wirangu. |
| 2003 | Foster, R., Monaghan, P., & Mühlhäusler, P. (2003). Early forms of Aboriginal English in South Australia, 1840s-1920s. Rsch Sch of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU Canberra ACT 0200: Pacific Linguistics, Australian National University. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | MacKenzie, J., Monaghan, P., & Monaghan, P. (2023). Bunganditj Kala! Yankunytjatjara Wangka! Keeping Ancestral Voices Alive. In N. Cumpston (Ed.), Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art 2023 (pp. 222-223). Art Gallery of South Australia. |
| 2020 | Monaghan, P. (2020). Barngarla Connection to Lake Torrens. In P. Monaghan, & M. Walsh (Eds.), More than Mere Words: Essays on language and linguistics in honour of Peter Sutton. |
| 2017 | Monaghan, P. (2017). Tracing the new: processes of translation and transculturation in Wirangu. In P. K. Austin, H. Koch, & J. Simpson (Eds.), Language, land and song: Studies in honour of Luise Hercus (pp. 555-566). |
| 2017 | Monaghan, P. (2017). Structures of Aboriginal Life at the Time of Colonisation in South Australia. In P. Brock, & T. Gara (Eds.), Colonialism and its Aftermath (pp. 3-26). |
| 2015 | Monaghan, P., & Mühlhäusler, P. (2015). State versus community approaches to language revival: The case of Wirangu at the Scotdesco Community (South Australia). In C. Volker, & F. Anderson (Eds.), Education in Languages of Lesser Power: Asia-Pacific Perspectives (1 ed., pp. 185-203). Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. DOI |
| 2009 | Koch, H., & Hercus, L. (Eds.) (2009). Aboriginal Placenames. Naming and re-naming the Australian landscape. In . ANU Press. DOI |
| 2008 | Monaghan, P. (2008). Norman B. Tindale and the Pitjantjatjara Language. In William McGregor (Ed.), Encountering Aboriginal languages: studies in the history of Australian linguistics (pp. 251-272). Australia: The Australian National University. |
| 2002 | Monaghan, P. (2002). What Name? The recording of Indigenous placenames in the Western Desert of South Australia.. In L. Hercus, F. Hodges, & J. Simpson (Eds.), The Land is a Map (pp. 202-206). Canberra: Pandanus Books. |
| 1999 | Monaghan, P., & Muhlhausler, P. (1999). Tok Pisin. In T. Balzer, E. Lee, P. Mühlhäusler, P. Monaghan, D. Angelo, & D. Ober (Eds.), Pidgin Phrasebook: Pidgin Languages of Oceania (2nd ed., pp. 97-138). Lonely Planet Publications. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Monaghan, P., & Lucas, R. (2017). Gunyangara: Questions of Traditional Aboriginal Ownership. Report to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs.. |
| 2016 | Monaghan, P., Fergie, D., & Lucas, R. (2016). Report on behalf of the Barngarla (Lake Torrens) Claimants. Lake Torrens Overlap Proceeding (SAD 90/2009). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Coulthard, C., & Monaghan, P. (2026). defi-Nations [first-languages-in-verse] 2026 (Extent: 3 months) [Public exhibition]. The Galleries, Adelaide Festival Centre. |
| 2025 | Coulthard, C., & Monaghan, P. (2025). defi-Nations [first-languages-in-verse] 2025 (Extent: 6 weeks) [Exhibition]. City Library. |
| 2023 | Monaghan, P., Lester, K., & Fisher, W. (2023). Yankunytjatjara Wangka! Keeping Ancestral Voices Alive (Extent: 4 months) [Exhibition]. South Australian Museum. |
| 2022 | Monaghan, P. (2022). Arabana Yanhi! Tanganekald Yan! Keeping Ancestral Voices Alive (Extent: 5 months) [Public Exhibition]. South Australian Museum. |
| 2022 | Monaghan, P. (2022). Aboriginal Living Languages SA Website (Extent: on going exhibition) [website]. Adelaide. |
| 2017 | Monaghan, P. (2017). Lower Southern Arrernte permanent display at Oodnadatta Railway Museum (Extent: permanent exhibition) [Exhibition]. Oodnadatta (SA). |
| 2015 | Monaghan, P., & Lester, K. (2015). Yankunytjatjara Digitisation Project Launch, Mimili Community (SA) (Extent: 2 minute 33 second film) [Exhibition]. Mimil Community (SA): Youtube. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monaghan, P., & Lester, K. (2025). Recipe #2: Closing the Gap Through Oral Hygiene in Remote South Australia Project. UNESCO. |
| 2019 | Monaghan, P., Fisher, W., & McCall, E. (2019). Mobile Language Team Online Language Learning Portal. Mobile Language Team. |
| 2006 | Monaghan, P. (2006). Dr Norman Barnett Tindale. South Australian Museum. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Monaghan, P. (2010). Wirangu Language Project. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Monaghan, P. (2022). Aboriginal Living Languages SA Website. In Aboriginal Living Languages SA (No. Of Pieces: Website). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Monaghan, P., Miller, G., Hercus, L., & Naessan, P. (2020). A Dictionary of the Wirangu Language from the Far West Coast of South Australia, Revised 2nd Edition. |
List of 32 grants totalling $11,182,840 awarded 2018-2026
2026 Operate a Mobile Language Team to Strengthen SA Aboriginal Languages ($3,716,395)
2026 Yankunytjatjara Living Language Project ($430,000)
2025 Pathways to Community-Led Language Work, Phase 3 ($300,000)
2025 Mobile Language Team 2025-26 extension and top-up funding ($847,000)
2024 First Nations Language Education Program ($700,000)
2024 Closing the Gap through Oral Hygiene and Language in Remote SA ($280,000)
2024 Wailpi Priority Languages Support Project ($20,000 )
2024 Dieri Priority Languages Support Project ($20,000)
2023 Mobile Language Team, SA ($1,950,000)
2023 Pathways 2 Community-Led Language Work ($200,000)
2023 Setting the record straight – A critical evaluation of Peramangk language revival resources ($18,000)
2023 Priority Languages Support Project - Kuyani ($20,000)
2022 Closing the Gap funding for the University of Adelaide ($155,000)
2022 Yarluyandi Language Emergency Documentation ($20,000)
2022 Living Names - Keeping Language Alive by Identifying and Reclaiming Plant Names in the Whyalla Region (20,000)
2022 Reclaiming the Language Ecology of the River Murray and Mallee Region: Phase 2 ($12,000)
2022 Maraura (Marrawarra) ($10,000)
2021 Pathways to Community-Led Language Work ($75,000)
2021 Audrey's Country: Documenting country, culture and Lower Southern Arrernte language revival at Macumba, SA ($15,900)
2021 Botaruwutj Language Documentation ($20,000)
2021 Reclaiming the language ecology of the River Murray and Mallee region ($16,000)
2020 VR Songlines: Illuminating Arabana Language, art and country through VR technology ($98,673)
2020 Emergency documentation of the Kuyani Language, Flinders Ranges ($17,150)
2020 Looking Forward, Looking Back: Kulpantjatjara language description with living speakers and historical sources in the Great Victoria Desert ($12,000)
2019 Safe Language Spaces: Arresting the attrition of Indigenous language use in health care environments ($20,000)
2019 Documenting Yankunytjatjara storytellers of Uluru ($9,900)
2019 Emergency Endangered Language Documentation of the Nauo Language of the Eyre Peninsula ($15,000)
2019 Emergency language documentation: Kulpantjatjara ($10,000)
2019 Wangkapurrumarnda (Filling up with Language): Emergency Arabana language documentation and community wordlist publication ($14,970)
2018 Arabana Language Learning Camps On-Country ($62,612)
2018 Support the operation of the Mobile Language Team to deliver a targeted program of activities throughout South Australia to increase the number of Aboriginal people speaking their heritage languages ($1,800,000)
2018 Maintenance, Revival and Reclamation of South Australian Aboriginal Languages, SA Department of Treasury & Finance ($257,240)
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 - 2012 | Co-Supervisor | Barngarla Language | University of Adelaide | Linguistics | Master | Full Time | Anne Quandt |
| Date | Topic | Location | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - 2026 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Dieri | Mobile Language Team/Adelaide University | Chris Dodd |
| 2025 - 2025 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Kokatha | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Haymish Moosha |
| 2025 - 2025 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Kokatha | Mobile Language Team/University of Adeladie | Amelia Amos |
| 2025 - 2025 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Dieri | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Sarah Clarke |
| 2025 - 2025 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Yankunytjatjara | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Joshua Hughes |
| 2025 - 2025 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Kaurna/Narungga | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Jaylon Newchurch |
| 2024 - 2024 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Kokatha | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Shirley Williams |
| 2023 - 2023 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Kokatha | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Garryn Wingfield |
| 2023 - 2023 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Wirangu/Kokatha | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Jayda Wilson |
| 2022 - 2023 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Adnyamathanha | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Amanda Jackson-Brown |
| 2022 - 2023 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Yankunytjatjara | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Jessica Hughes |
| 2022 - 2022 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Zachary Brandon-Smith |
| 2021 - 2022 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Ngarrindjeri | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Brooke Kirra Rigney |
| 2021 - 2022 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Rachel Tan |
| 2021 - 2021 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Nina Blake |
| 2021 - 2021 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Louis Parry-Mills |
| 2020 - 2020 | Arts Intern | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Isaac Hughes |
| 2020 - 2022 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Felicity Salkeld |
| 2020 - 2020 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Suvam Sinha |
| 2019 - 2020 | Arts Internship | University of Adelaide/Mobile Language Team | Sophie Caon |
| 2018 - 2019 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Arabana | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Lakota Gibbons |
| 2018 - 2018 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Wirangu | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Ashleigh Wild |
| 2018 - 2018 | Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker - Nukunu | Mobile Language Team/University of Adelaide | Anil Samy |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Member | South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network | Australia |
| Date | Title | Engagement Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Nganampa Wangka Podcast | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | - |
| 2023 - ongoing | Dieri Language Revival | Public Community Engagement | The Dieri Aboriginal Corporation | Australia |
| 2021 - ongoing | Pathways to Community-Led Language Work | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | - |
| 2021 - ongoing | Public Exhibitions and Cultural Trails | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | - |
| 2020 - ongoing | Mobile Language Team Social Media Engagement | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | Australia |
| 2020 - ongoing | MLT Press | Public Community Engagement | various | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Mobile Language Team Website | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Mobile Language Team Online Language Learning Portal | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University Press | - |
| 2014 - ongoing | Empowering Traditional Owners and Communities through Digital Repatriation | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | - |
| 2009 - ongoing | Nganampa Wangka Radio Show | Public Community Engagement | Adelaide University | Australia |
| Date | Institution | Department | Organisation Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Department of the Premier and Cabinet | First Nations Policy and Engagement | Legislative and political | Australia |
| 2024 - ongoing | South Australian Museum | Archives | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2024 - 2025 | Department for Education (SA) | Curriculum Policy and Standards Directorate | Instructional and training | Australia |
| 2024 - 2024 | Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation | ALNF | Instructional and training | Australia |
| 2023 - 2024 | Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation | Chief Executive Officer | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | Red Ridge (Interior Queensland) Limited | CEO | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | SA Attorney Generals Department | Native Title | Legislative and political | Australia |
| 2021 - 2021 | Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation | Far West Languages Centre | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2021 - 2021 | Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation | Far West Languages Centre | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2021 - 2021 | SA Department of Human Services | Briefings and Business Support | Health services and related | Australia |
| 2021 - 2021 | Red Ridge Inc | CEO | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2021 - ongoing | Ananguku Arts and Cultural Aboriginal Corporation | KuArts | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2020 - 2021 | South Australian Museum | Archive and Science | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2020 - 2020 | South Australian Native Title Services | SANTS | Legislative and political | Australia |
| 2019 - 2021 | SA Department for Education | Curriculum Policy and Standards Directorate | Instructional and training | Australia |
| 2019 - 2020 | Leigh Creek Community Progress Association Inc | LCCPA | Sports and recreation | Australia |
| 2019 - 2020 | Ardugula Aboriginal Corporation | AAC | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2018 - 2019 | Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation | Far West Languages Centre | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| 2016 - 2017 | Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation | Chaiperson | Cultural or historical | Australia |
| Date | Event Name | Event Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Launch of Uncle Terry Coulthard's Adnyamathanha Language and Culture Guide | Product launch | University of Adelaide | - |
| 2017 - ongoing | 4th Biennial Colloquium of LCNAU, University of Adelaide, 27-29 November 2017 | Colloquium | University of Adelaide | - |
| 2013 - ongoing | AUSTRALEX 2013 (biennial conference of the Australasian Association for Lexicography) | Conference | University of Adelaide and Australasian Association for Lexicography | - |
| Date | Case | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - ongoing | Lake Torrens Overlap Proceeding | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Engagement Type | Partner Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Collaboration | Bungala Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2026 - ongoing | Collaboration | Oral Health Association of Australia |
| 2026 - ongoing | Collaboration | Nauo Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2026 - ongoing | Collaboration | Arid Recovery |
| 2025 - ongoing | Collaboration | Raising Literacy Australia |
| 2024 - 2026 | Collaboration | Adelaide Festival Centre: defi-Nations [first-languages-in-verse] exhibition series |
| 2024 - ongoing | Collaboration | Beach Energy Limited |
| 2024 - ongoing | Collaboration | Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2024 - 2027 | Research Contract | South Australian Museum |
| 2023 - ongoing | Collaboration | The Dieri Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2023 - ongoing | Collaboration | Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation |
| 2022 - ongoing | Collaboration | Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2022 - ongoing | Collaboration | Yankunytjatjara Native Title Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2022 - ongoing | Collaboration | Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2021 - ongoing | Collaboration | Wangkanurru Yarluyandi Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2021 - 2021 | Collaboration | KuArts (Ananguku Arts and Cultural Aboriginal Corporation) |
| 2019 - ongoing | Collaboration | Sharing Stories Foundation |
| 2019 - ongoing | Collaboration | River Murray Mallee Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2019 - ongoing | Collaboration | Tauondi Aboriginal Corporation |
| 2015 - ongoing | Collaboration | Arabana Aboriginal Corporation |
| Date | Topic | Presented at | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - ongoing | Ordinary language and ordinary ethics in a diglossic milieu: the case of Pitkern-Norf’k on Norfolk Island | 2015 Australian Anthropological Society (AAS) Annual Conference | Australian Anthropological Society | - |
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