Martin Nakata facts for kids

Martin Nakata AM is an important Australian academic and researcher. He studies Indigenous education, knowledge, and culture. He is the first person from the Torres Strait Islands to earn a doctoral degree (a PhD).

As of 2021, he is a Deputy Vice-Chancellor at James Cook University. In 2020, he received the Member of the Order of Australia award. This was for his great work in university education and for helping Indigenous students succeed. An asteroid, 7547 Martinnakata, is even named after him! This is because of his contributions to Indigenous astronomy.

Early Life and Learning

Martin Nakata has family from the Torres Strait Islands and Japan. His mother is a traditional owner of islands in the Torres Strait. This is a far-off part of Australia. His father was born in Kushimoto-cho, Japan.

Professor Nakata grew up in the Torres Strait Islands. He went to school there and learned a lot about the languages and customs of the Torres Strait Islander people. He first trained to be a teacher. In 1991, he finished his Bachelor of Education degree with high honors. Later, in 1998, he earned his PhD in education from James Cook University. After that, he focused on the field of Indigenous education.

His Work and Research

Martin Nakata is known as one of the top Indigenous academics in Australia and around the world. He has had a long career researching Indigenous education, Indigenous Studies, and Indigenous Knowledge.

His current research includes two big projects. One looks at how Indigenous students prepare for university. The other studies how Indigenous school students perform in Math and Science. He is also a main researcher for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage. Here, he leads a project to improve how Indigenous students learn in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Professor Nakata has given over seventy major speeches at conferences. He has traveled to many countries like Iceland, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand to share his ideas. He has also written many articles and books about Australian Indigenous education. For ten years, he was a co-editor of the Australian Journal of Indigenous Education. He also helps guide other academic journals in different countries.

See also

• Standpoint Theory
• Indigenous Studies