Megan Davis AC

 News & events 

Keynote: Prof Megan Davis presents at The Penn Program on Race, Science, and Society (University of Pennsylvania)

November 2025 - Professor Megan Davis delivered the keynote presentation at The Penn Program on Race, Science, and Society (PRSS) Working Group Colloquium. 

Prof Davis offered a rigorous and deeply informed analysis of constitutional reform and Indigenous governance, examining structural, political and policy implications with particular attention to long-term outcomes for First Nations communities. The key focus of her presentation was contemporary race and Aboriginal issues under the Australian Constitution, including state removals of Indigenous children in Australia, prompting sustained reflection and discussion among attendees. 

The colloquium, convened as part of the PRSS Working Group’s annual program, benefited greatly from Professor Davis’s contribution, which set an engaged and intellectually rich tone for the event. 

Prof Megan Davis is this year’s Bok Visiting International Professor at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

Uluru Youth Dialogue Participate in very first Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue

October 2025 - Uluru Youth Dialogue Ambassador, Brydie Zorz, participated in the very first Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue (APYCD), as both a delegate and member of the Youth Steering Committee. 

The Dialogue was a flagship 3-day gathering in Canberra bringing together youth leaders from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific to strengthen relationships, discuss a common agenda, engage with decision-makers, and share knowledge/skills ahead of COP30 in Brazil and COP31. 

Delegates had the opportunity to shape and strengthen the direction of intergenerational climate action. 

Representing the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Brydie participated in a panel discussion alongside young leaders from across the Pacific, including Samoa and Fiji, ensuring that First Nations youth perspectives are included in shaping the climate agenda into 2026 and beyond. 

The APYCD was hosted by UNICEF Australia and UNICEF Pacific, The Australian National University’s Department of Pacific Affairs and Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, together with Western Sydney University’s Young and Resilient Research Centre. 

Professor Megan Davis AC delivers Integrity Oration for The Centre for Public Integrity

October 2025 - Professor Megan Davis AC, delivered an Integrity Oration for The Centre for Public Integrity and sat down with former Federal Court Judge, the Hon Michael Barker, to speak on the Uluru Statement and the future of First Nations recognition. She discussed balancing skepticism with optimism, while calling out political integrity issues and the ongoing fight for true representation and self-determination.

Listen to the podcast episode via the link below.

A “tremendous honour”: Prof Megan Davis AC opens 2025 Tarnanthi Festival with powerful keynote

October 2025 - In a powerful opening moment at the 2025 Tarnanthi Festival, Professor Megan Davis AC delivered the keynote address at the opening of the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi Festival 2025, speaking alongside Premier Peter Malinauskas, Minister Kyam Maher and Artistic Director Nici Cumpston OAM.

Describing it as a “tremendous honour”, Professor Davis called on the nation to continue listening, rebuilding, and walking together, echoing the spirit of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the ongoing work toward self-determination. Her keynote helped set a powerful tone for Tarnanthi 2025, honouring the deep history and future of First Nations artistic excellence.

Referendum Anniversary Webinar: “The Deafening Silence – Vote No and the Status Quo”

October 2025 - To mark the second anniversary of the 2023 Voice Referendum, the Uluru Dialogue hosted an online webinar - The Deafening Silence – Vote No and the Status Quo. The panel event brought together leading First Nations thinkers to examine the policy vacuum that followed the referendum including Professor Megan Davis AC, Aunty Pat Anderson AO, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Geoff Scott, who unpacked what the No vote has meant for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the nation, and why rejecting the Voice ultimately upheld the status quo.

To stay up to date with upcoming webinar events, sign up to our Newsletter - Uluru Statement from the Heart

UNSW Diversity Festival 2025: Belonging & What’s Next for Constitutional Recognition

September 2025 – As part of UNSW’s Diversity Festival 2025, Pro-Vice Chancellor Society UNSW and the Uluru Dialogue hosted an important conversation event - Belonging & What’s Next for Constitutional Recognition. The audience heard from Co-Chairs of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Bridget Cama and Allira Davis, alongside Youth Ambassador, Brydie Zorz. The panel explored the current state of Aboriginal Affairs, the lessons of the 2023 referendum, and the ongoing fight for constitutional recognition of First Nations peoples and structural reform. This powerful session—part of the Conversations That Matter series—invited our community to reflect, connect, and engage with the future of justice and belonging in Australia.

To stay up to date with upcoming webinar events, sign up to our Newsletter - Uluru Statement from the Heart

Uluru Dialogue Leadership meet in Brisbane to talk strategy

August 2025 - Uluru Dialogue leadership came together in Brisbane, with members flying from across the country and Prof Davis back from Harvard University.

Alyawarre woman and Co-Chair of the Uluru Dialogue, Pat Anderson AO said: “We have heard the calls from grassroots communities for us to commence work on a road map after two years of the relentless and depressing grind of the status quo. The Statement remains a gift to the Australian people, and 6.2 million people have accepted this olive branch. This was always a people’s movement, so we march on.”

The meeting reinforced that the reforms called for in the Uluru Statement remain unfinished business, the need to belong and to be heard has not changed. Notably everyone agrees constitutional recognition remains the critical reform Australia has never tried.

Governments and bureaucrats continue to demonstrate that they need better input from grassroots communities to design better policies and deliver better outcomes.

Professor Megan Davis AC Inspires at She Leads UNITE! Conference

August 2025 – As part of the She Leads UNITE! Conference, hosted by YWCA Canberra, Professor Megan Davis AC delivered a powerful online keynote from Harvard Law School. In her address, she wove together themes of unity and systemic change — speaking to the conference’s “UNITE!” motif — and called for deeper solidarity in the face of escalating political and social polarisation. Drawing on her experience as the Gough Whitlam & Malcolm Fraser Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard, her work with the Uluru Dialogue, and her leadership in Indigenous constitutional reform, she made a stirring case for collective action, democratic renewal, and Indigenous self-determination. 

Her remarks not only resonated with the conference’s emerging and established leaders but also challenged participants to imagine more inclusive, just futures. The session was widely praised by attendees for its intellectual depth, moral urgency, and hopeful vision, making it a standout moment of the day.

Workshop: Rights, Recognition and Retreat at Harvard Law

July 2025 – Professor Davis hosted an international law workshop at Harvard Law School, Harvard University on Rights, Recognition and Retreat after the Referendum as Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University and Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School. 

It was funded by the Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Chair in Australian Studies and is part of the research Professor Davis has led as ARC Chief Investigator on “Recognition after Uluru: what next for First Nations?”, an Australian Research Council Discovery Indigenous Project (IN190100075) with the University of New South Wales. 

The workshop provided a forum for the mapping out and development of deep critical and practical comparative understanding of State accommodation and recognition of Indigenous decision-making and representative institutions. It also incorporated different dimensions of political loss and the 2023 referendum loss.

An edited book will be published from the workshop.

Mob23 and Uluru Dialogue celebrate NAIDOC 2025 with gathering grounded in culture, leadership and community pride

July 2025 - The Uluru Dialogue partnered with Mob23 to host a NAIDOC celebration at Brigalow Country Club in Eagleby, with this year's theme being: The Next Generation – Strength, Vision and Legacy. It was a deadly day filled with song, dance, yarns and shared food. Led with heart by Cath and Jay, the event featured a powerful panel with Uluru Youth Dialogue Ambassadors Brydie Zorz and Ryley Bowman, hosted by the incredible Karina Hogan, leaving the community feeling energised and inspired. 

The Sing on the Balun choir lit up the morning with performances of Blackfulla, Whitefulla and Solid Rock, reminding us of the strength of music and storytelling in our shared struggle. Deep thanks to Helen Rose for the gift of Gumby Gumby, to everyone who volunteered, donated or brought a plate, and to our partners who continue to champion The Uluru Statement from the Heart. It was a beautiful gathering grounded in culture, leadership and community pride.

Uluru Youth Dialogue represents at the United Nations in Geneva

July 2025 – A delegation of Uluru Youth Dialogue leaders proudly participated in the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, bringing the voices, experiences, and aspirations of young First Nations people in Australia to the international stage. Their engagement highlighted the ongoing work of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the importance of youth leadership in advancing the rights to self-determination, political participation in democracy, constitutional recognition of First Nations Peoples and structural reform. 

Throughout the sessions, the Youth Dialogue contributed to discussions on global Indigenous rights, hosted an official side event, shared community-driven solutions, and strengthened relationships with young Indigenous leaders both regionally and from around the world. Their presence at EMRIP stands as a testament to the strength, professionalism, and vision of the next generation of First Nations advocates.

Webinar: Is a Vote "No" a “No” to everything?

May 2025 - In the wake of the Prime Minister walking back the government's commitment to the Uluru Statement and symbolic recognition being rolled back following the 2023 Voice referendum, this webinar explored an important question: Is a Vote "No" a “No” to everything?

This panel discussion offered much-needed clarity on what the 2023 No vote really means for Australia. 

A distinguished group of experts — Professor Megan Davis AC, Professor John Williams, Professor Gabrielle Appleby, Dr Paul Kildea, and Associate Professor Sana Nakata — delivered a rich and thought-provoking analysis of the legal, historical, and political implications of the referendum result. The conversation shed light on the deeper consequences for constitutional reform, unfinished business and the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, and the path forward. Attendees appreciated the frank, rigorous discussion and left with a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

To stay up to date with upcoming webinar events, sign up to our Newsletter - Uluru Statement from the Heart or keep an eye on the Indigenous Law Centre’s website

A Vision for Belonging: Pat Anderson AO at the Welcoming Australia Symposium

May 2025 – At the Welcoming Australia Symposium: Where Everyone Can Belong, Co-Chair of the Uluru Dialogue, Pat Anderson AO, delivered a powerful and deeply grounded address that reminded participants of the responsibilities we share in building a nation rooted in justice and belonging. Drawing on her lifetime of advocacy, from the Uluru Dialogue to decades of work in health, community development, and human rights, she spoke with clarity and warmth about what true inclusion requires of Australia. Anderson highlighted the enduring strength of First Nations peoples, the importance of listening, and the need for courageous, community-led change. Her contribution set the tone for a symposium dedicated to creating a country where every person is respected, connected, and able to flourish.

Webinar: “Can Parliamentary Committees Deliver for Indigenous Peoples? UNDRIP, the Voice and the Parliamentary Process”

April 2025 - Marking 16 years since Australia formally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Indigenous Law Centre and PVC Society UNSW hosted this webinar unpacking Australia’s commitments under the UNDRIP and offering a deep dive into its key objectives, particularly the right for ongoing political participation and the provision of ‘Free, Prior and Informed Consent’.

Experts in international law, Indigenous rights, and parliamentary process Prof Megan Davis AC, Prof Gabrielle Appleby and Associate Prof Sarah Moulds, analysed how current and proposed reforms align with these obligations. 

The discussion first examined how the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice sought to provide a structural mechanism for self-determination and stronger relationships between Indigenous peoples and the state. It then explored two alternative proposals: the UNDRIP Bill 2023, which includes a nationwide audit of laws and an action plan, and a proposal to broaden the mandate of the parliamentary joint committee on human rights to assess UNDRIP compliance. 

Together, these insights highlighted the opportunities and limitations of different pathways to securing genuine participation and authority for Indigenous peoples in line with UNDRIP.

To stay up to date with upcoming webinar events, sign up to our Newsletter - Uluru Statement from the Heart or keep an eye on the Indigenous Law Centre’s website

Diplomacy training: Uluru Youth Dialogue prepare for the United Nations

April 2025 – Members of our Uluru Youth Dialogue recently took part in the UN Fellow Diplomacy Training at ANU, joining other Indigenous delegates preparing to engage with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples later this year. 

Representing the Uluru Dialogue and the mandate of the Uluru Statement from the Heart were Uluru Youth Dialogue Ambassadors Brydie Zorz, Dwayne Coulthard, Sonjah Stewart, and Co-Chairs of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Allira Davis and Bridget Cama (plus a special little one). We are incredibly proud of this delegation of young people —well done! More to come from these inspiring young delegates as they continue to shape the next generation of leadership.

Webinar: Explaining the Yunupingu Decision - High Court Outcome and Expert Insights

March 2025 - Members of the Uluru Dialogue and the PVC Society team at UNSW travelled to Canberra to witness the High Court of Australia dismiss the Commonwealth’s appeal in Cth v Yunupingu – a landmark moment affirming the rights of the Yunupingu family and its significance for Native Title jurisprudence. 

To support community understanding of the decision, the ILC and PVCS hosted a webinar bringing together leading experts Kateena O’Gorman SC, Associate Professor Sean Brennan, Eddie Synot, and Professor Megan Davis AC for an in-depth conversation titled The Yunupingu Case Explained: Native Title, Compensation and Equality Before the Law. The session provided clear, accessible analysis of the case’s implications and drew strong engagement from attendees seeking to understand this pivotal ruling.

To stay up to date with upcoming webinar events, sign up to our Newsletter - Uluru Statement from the Heart or keep an eye on the Indigenous Law Centre’s website

International Women’s Day Webinar: First Nations women working towards a more equitable future

March 2025 – To mark International Women’s Day 2025, the Uluru Dialogue hosted a special webinar celebrating the leadership, resilience, and advocacy of First Nations women in Australia. Aligned with the United Nations theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, the discussion highlighted the pivotal role First Nations women have played – and continue to play – in advancing justice, equality, and empowerment within their communities and across the nation. 

The esteemed panel featured Aunty Pat Anderson AO, a proud Alyawarre woman and renowned advocate for Indigenous health and human rights; Aunty Jackie Huggins AM, Bidjara and Birri Gubba leader, historian, and long-time champion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights; and Bridget Cama and Allira Davis, dynamic Uluru Youth Co-Chairs leading the next generation of First Nations activism. 

Facilitated by Lucy Davis, the conversation explored the ongoing journey for recognition and reform, reflecting on the historical contributions of women to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and their continued leadership in shaping a more equitable future. Attendees were invited to listen, learn, and stand in solidarity with these remarkable leaders, gaining insights into their work, challenges, and vision for a stronger, fairer Australia.

To stay up to date with upcoming webinar events, sign up to our Newsletter - Uluru Statement from the Heart or keep an eye on the Indigenous Law Centre’s website

UNSW Celebrates Prof Megan Davis AC as a Changemaker for International Women’s Day 2025

March 2025 - We were thrilled to see Professor Megan Davis AC celebrated as a Changemaker during International Women’s Day 2025 at UNSW Sydney! Recognised for her trailblazing work as a constitutional lawyer, advocate for Indigenous rights, and leader in democracy and social justice, Professor Davis’s achievements continue to inspire generations. Her feature highlighted not only her remarkable career—spanning the Uluru Dialogue, UN Indigenous rights advocacy, and academic leadership—but also her role as a mentor and role model for women and young leaders. UNSW’s celebration was the perfect platform to honour her vision, commitment, and the lasting impact she is making in shaping a more just and equitable Australia.

Uluru Dialogue Insights Shared at UNSW Global Indigenous Knowledge Exchange

February 2025 – Uluru Youth Dialogue Co-Chair and PVCS Legal Researcher, Bridget Cama, contributed to leading discussions at the UNSW Global Indigenous Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange. Bridget engaged directly with Indigenous delegates from across the globe in the tertiary education space on the future of Indigenous-led research, education, and community partnerships. Her session focused on the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the continuing work of the Uluru Dialogue, and the reforms needed to advance constitutional recognition and meaningful structural change for Indigenous peoples in Australia. The meeting created space for rich, reciprocal conversations, ensuring that First Nations priorities and perspectives remain central as the initiative continues to shape pathways for global Indigenous knowledge sharing.

Pat Anderson AO Honoured at ACSQHC Meeting Room Plaque Unveiling

February 2025 - The UNSW PVC Society team were honoured to attend the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care event last week, where new meeting room name plaques were unveiled. Among these, one room proudly bears the name of Uluru Dialogue Co-Chair, Pat Anderson AO, recognising her extraordinary contributions to First Nations’ rights, health, education, and wellbeing. Pat’s room joins those named for Tom Calma AO and Dulcie Flower AM, reflecting a celebration of inspirational advocates whose work continues to shape Australia. The event was a meaningful opportunity to honour these leaders’ legacies and highlight the ongoing commitment to First Nations health, justice, and empowerment.

Sport and Advocacy: Uluru Youth Dialogue at NRL All Stars Week

February 2025 – Leadership of the Uluru Youth Dialogue participated in NRL All Stars Week, continuing an ongoing partnership with the NRL that has been in place since 2020. Over the years, this collaboration has provided a platform for young First Nations leaders to share their perspectives on Indigenous rights, self-determination, and the Uluru Statement from the Heart. During All Stars Week, the Youth Dialogue engaged in workshops, panels, and interactive sessions, connecting directly with players, fans, and community members to foster discussions about culture, leadership, and reform. Their involvement demonstrates the power of sport as a platform for advocacy and highlights the vision, energy, and commitment of young First Nations leaders and the broader Australian community in shaping Australia’s future.