Episode 2.6: Exploring the Importance of Indigeneity with Dr Jarita Holbrook

How does your identity shape the way you communicate?

Episode Fast Facts

Time: 44 minutes

“I’m done being my authentic self in all situations. It just doesn’t work. So there’s just—I just shift to the moment and be as authentic as I can be in that situation. But know that there’s things that I’m always holding back.” 

 

Dr Jarita Holbrook

The Collective: Kate Holmes, Rae Kumar, Felice Ng, Clare Boon and Camila Pardo Uribe

Episode Credits

Host: Kate Holmes

Special Guest: Dr Jarita Holbrook

Producer: Rae Kumar and Felice Ng

Audio editor: Matthew Gill

Show notes: Clare Boon and Camila Pardo Uribe

Audiogram by Headliner.app

Today, Kate, Rae and Felice sit down with Dr Jarita Holbrook to talk about their experience working with Indigenous communities. They discuss the ways in which researchers can build connections with Indigenous communities and how communication is imperative in collaboration. They talk about the importance of identity when introducing yourself to different audiences and how holding multiple identities can be a strength. The discussion then turns to code switching and whiteness, and the way privilege plays on conceptions of race. Jarita also shares their experiences in Perth and how they navigate issues around funding their research.

“I’m always trying to make them decent human beings.”  — Dr Jarita Holbrook

Episode links:

Check out Astrofest in 2026 here.

Read about the FAIR and CARE principles for Indigenous Data Governance here.

Delve deeper into code-switching here.

Find out more about Whiteness Theory here.

Watch Jarita talk about inclusivity in quantum gravity and cosmology here.

Find Jarita on Bluesky.

Keywords

Science Communication, Cultural Astronomy, Indigenous Knowledge, Identity, Intersectionality, Code-switching, Intellectual Racism, Afrofuturism

The Collective on this episode:
Kate Holmes

Kate Holmes

Host
Rae Kumar

Rae Kumar

Producer
Felice Ng

Felice Ng

Producer
Clare Boon

Clare Boon

Shownote
Camila Pardo Uribe

Camila Pardo Uribe

Shownote

We love hearing everyone’s stories of how they got into science communication. What about you? What brought you here? Feel free to share in the comments!

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