Alumni profile: Sharon Davis

MSc Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition (2014)
Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC)

Sharon Davis graduated from Green Templeton College in 2014 with an MSc in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition. As a proud Aboriginal person (Bardi and Kija) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Sharon was drawn to GTC’s interdisciplinary focus and inclusive community. Moving their young family from the remote town of Broome to Oxford was a transformative experience. GTC’s family-friendly accommodation made it possible for Sharon’s children to see that Aboriginal people like them belong at Oxford, its fancy colleges, formal halls and world-renown libraries. This became a defining memory of their time at GTC, reinforcing Sharon’s commitment to creating spaces where First Nations people control their own narrative.

What led you to a career in education and advocacy?

My career has been shaped by the histories of my matriarchal lineage—my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother—who endured systemic harm at the hands of Australia’s education and governance systems. My great-grandmother was forcibly removed from her people under the Aboriginal Protection Acts and denied the right to raise her children. My grandmother lived under the Native Administration Act 1936 controlled by missionaries, and my mother and her siblings experienced assimilation-focused schooling under the Native Welfare Act 1963.

Despite this systemic harm, they resisted and created pathways for the next generations. Their strength inspired and continues to inspire me to challenge these systems and create culturally safe spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners can thrive. This has been my driving purpose across all my professional roles.

What have been the key milestones in your career?

I’ve had the privilege of working in roles where, using my skills and attributes, I was able to promote structural change and Aboriginal self-determination:

• I led Aboriginal education for 164 schools for five years at Catholic Education Western Australia, developing education frameworks for whole-school improvement using a lens of cultural safety.
• As the inaugural Director of Education at AIATSIS, I developed the AIATSIS Guide to Evaluating and Selecting Education Resources, a national tool helping educators critically assess their positionality and teaching materials to prevent harm.
• I established Goorlil Consulting, which works under the premise of ‘Know Better, Do Better.’ Using an anti-racism and gender-affirming lens, Goorlil supports organisations to better engage with First Nations and gender-diverse people and content.
• Today, I am the inaugural CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC), where I lead efforts to establish Indigenous Education Consultative Bodies Australia-wide and advocate for First Nations voices in educational policy.

I also serve as a board member for the Aurora Education Foundation, Magabala Books, Reconciliation Australia, and the Stronger Smarter Institute, where I support First Nations representation and self-determination in education.

How has your work influenced public discourse?

I’ve recently led efforts to challenge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander misrepresentation, including advocating for the withdrawal of Jamie Oliver’s children’s book due to harmful stereotypes. This advocacy gained international attention, including coverage by the BBC, and highlighted the importance of accountability in cultural representation.

What inspires you most about your work?

I am constantly inspired by the resistance and brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Knowing that my efforts can contribute to environments where First Nations children feel that little bit safer and valued motivates me every single day. It’s what gets me out of bed.

What are your personal interests outside of work?

I enjoy mentoring emerging Indigenous leaders and advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, shaped by my own experiences as a non-binary Aboriginal person. Spending time with my partner and our blended family is central to my life, as is fishing, reading, writing, and creative hobbies like building miniature kits.

What has been your greatest achievement?

That’s a tricky question. I think working with acclaimed Aboriginal Australian author, poet, and advocate for Indigenous literature and literacy, Dr. Anita Heiss AM, in leading the advocacy to have Jamie Oliver’s children’s book ‘Billy and the Epic Escape’ withdrawn and pulped worldwide is deeply significant. This work has created a ripple effect that has impacted every First Nations child in Australia, ensuring their reading experiences are more culturally safe. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presentation in literature plays a critical role in shaping identity and belonging for Indigenous children, as it provides affirming narratives that counteract systemic erasure and stereotyping.

This decision to remove the book from circulation ensures First Nations kids are not harmed by racist misrepresentations and sets a precedent for future works. The ripple effect extends globally, influencing publishers and authors to think more critically about how they represent Aboriginal people and cultures.

By challenging the propagation of harmful narratives, this achievement not only protects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers but also compels the broader literary community to confront its role in perpetuating cultural harm. The hope is that this work encourages future creators to think again—and think carefully—about the stories they tell about us. This kind of systemic impact on representation is something I carry with immense pride.

What is your advice for current students and alumni of GTC?

GTC is a special place that allows you to connect with people from all walks of life. Your unique perspective matters. Use your time here to build relationships and explore opportunities to amplify your voice. The experiences and networks you create at GTC will have a lasting impact on your career and ability to make a difference.