Academic Profile — Researcher & Consultant
Dr Katy
McKeown
PhD · Researcher · Indigenous-Settler Co-Design Consultant
Specialising in decolonising pedagogies, Indigenous-settler co-design, and social justice frameworks in education. Available for research partnerships, consultancy, and speaking engagements. Based in Naarm (Melbourne), working nationally and internationally.
"Culture, it is my purpose for living."
— Ngargee Youth Dancer, 2022
About Dr Katy
Dr Katy McKeown is a researcher, academic, and consultant whose work sits at the intersection of decolonising pedagogies, Indigenous-settler co-design, and social justice in education. Her doctoral research at the University of Melbourne (VCA, Fine Arts and Music) charts an Indigenous-settler co-design partnership with the Boonwurrung community of Naarm — developing a replicable model of culturally responsive pedagogy grounded in First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing.
In 2020, Dr McKeown co-founded Boonwurrung Ngargee Youth Dance alongside N'arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs — Boonwurrung Elder, activist, and knowledge holder. Recognising that dominant Eurocentric educational frameworks were systematically excluding First Nations young people from pathways into professional and tertiary practice, the project developed a co-designed curriculum rooted in Boonwurrung stories, Lore, and community voice. It produced two practice-led research films, Dàimh (2022) and Boonwurrung Ngargee: A Pre-tertiary Investigation (2021), platforming Kulin Nations voices and cultural knowledge.
Key cultural strategies include: Elder-led community consultation and co-design; yarning as a pedagogical and relational practice; embedding the Bundjil Creation Story as living curriculum; Critical Indigenous Standpoint Pedagogy (CISP); and a Community Participation Action Research (CPAR) framework guided by the questions — who benefits, what knowledge is increased, whose story is this?
Dr McKeown brings significant experience in translating these frameworks across institutional contexts. She has designed inclusive curricula, voice-enhancing community frameworks, and partnership evaluations with government, university, and community organisations. Her approach foregrounds relational accountability — the principle that knowledge generation is inseparable from relationships of respect, reciprocity, and ethical care.
She has consulted and collaborated with a broad range of government, education, arts, and community organisations across Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally — including Nadjinang First Nations Circus, Snuff Puppets, the Department of Education, Creative Scotland, the Royal Conservatoire of Music Dance and Drama, Scottish Ballet, Chunky Move, Nintiringanyi Cultural Centre, and communities across Katherine, Ntaria, and Darwin. She has led international partnerships with the British Council and the Shanghai World Expo, and managed research evaluations with multiple universities.
Research Focus
R — 01
Decolonising Pedagogies
Developing and applying decolonial methodologies across education contexts. Challenging Eurocentric knowledge systems and widening access and equity for First Nations communities in institutional settings.
R — 02
Indigenous-Settler Co-Design
Co-designing curricula and programs with First Nations Elders and communities through a Community Participation Action Research (CPAR) framework. Examining relational accountability, cultural safety, and ethical allyship as a non-First Nations researcher and consultant.
R — 03
Social Justice in Education
Using social justice pedagogies to address systemic inequity in educational participation. Centring Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing to build inclusive, community-led models that can be replicated across institutional contexts.
R — 04
Embodiment, Story & Cultural Identity
Exploring how storytelling, yarning, and First Nations Lore foster belonging, cultural pride, and identity in educational settings. Research into how embodied practice deepens community relationships and cultural knowledge transmission.
R — 05
Community & Relational Research Methods
Applying participatory, community-grounded research methodologies including yarning, CPAR, and Critical Indigenous Standpoint Pedagogy. Committed to research that is accountable to community, not just institution.
R — 06
Practice-Led Research & Film
Creating practice-led research artefacts — including co-produced films — as a methodology for documenting and platforming First Nations voices, worldviews, and knowledge systems within academic and community contexts.
Publications & Presentations
2026
An Exploration of First Nations Dance Identities in Naarm Through Social Justice Pedagogies
Chapter 8 in The Oxford Handbook of Ballet Pedagogy (Akinleye, Farrugia ed.)
2024
Am Pròiseact Dàimh (The Affinity Project) — Doctoral Exegesis
University of Melbourne, Fine Arts and Music
2021
Dàimh — Dance Film
With Boonwurrung Ngargee Youth Dance Group. Research artefact documenting decolonised co-design dance pedagogy with Kulin Nations dancers.
2021
Boonwurrung Ngargee: A Pre-tertiary Investigation — Dance Film
University of Melbourne. Explores First Nations dance identities and Boonwurrung cultural storytelling through co-created choreography.
2019
Presenter — Indigenous Partnerships in Dance Education
Royal Academy of Dance Conference
2016
Presenter — Australia Centre Indigenous-Settler Graduate Conference
University of Melbourne
2012
Contextual Learning and Choreographic Literacy Through a Grounded Theory Approach
Master of Teaching (Dance), University of Surrey
Consultancy & Partnerships
Dr McKeown is available for consultancy, research partnerships, program evaluation, curriculum co-design, and speaking engagements. Her expertise is grounded in over two decades of practice across government, education, community, and the arts — translating research into meaningful, community-accountable outcomes.
She brings particular expertise in Indigenous-settler co-design processes, decolonising curriculum frameworks, culturally safe program evaluation, and facilitation of community consultation in complex institutional contexts. Her work spans local, national, and international settings.
Dr McKeown has served on advisory and governance boards including the NSW Education Standards Board, the Australia Council Art Panel, the AMPAG Performing Arts Committee, the City of Melbourne Arts Committee, and the Scottish Government Dance Curriculum Review Steering Group.
Work With Me
Dr McKeown welcomes enquiries about research collaboration, consultancy, curriculum co-design, program evaluation, and speaking or keynote invitations. She works with government agencies, universities, community organisations, and the broader education and arts sectors — nationally and internationally.