Vanessa Sewell

Biography

Vanessa Sewell is a proud Worimi woman and Associate Lecturer at the Oorala Aboriginal Centre, University of New England.

Vanessa’s PhD research focused on creating an expression system for vaccine design against parasites in sheep. She currently teaches in OORA200/400 and the TRACKS Tertiary Preparation Program and works to integrate Indigenous scientific concepts into her teaching.

At present Vanessa is contributing to Indigenous education through her involvement in the HEPPP Student Wellness Project, where she is developing culturally responsive pedagogy frameworks and embedding Indigenous knowledge into academic induction modules. Her work as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDR student representative on the Academic Board Research Committee demonstrates her commitment to advocating for Indigenous perspectives in higher education.

A recipient of the prestigious Superstar of STEM recognition from Science and Technology Australia (2025-2026), Vanessa's achievements include being featured in Cosmos Magazine's 40+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM Leaders. Her academic excellence is further evidenced by multiple awards, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Science Award from the Australian Academy of Science.

Vanessa's research interests bridge Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary education, focusing on creating culturally safe and inclusive learning environments.

Through her teaching and research, she is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in their educational journey and promoting understanding of Indigenous perspectives across the university sector.