In this episode, Associate Professor Maree Toombs yarns with UQ PhD candidate Shea Spierings, a proud Gangulu man born and raised on Darumbal country about his thesis work on investigating Aboriginal men’s perspectives on the criminalisation of Indigeneity in Australian Society.
UQ Yarns · Episode 3 - Shea Spierings
About Shea Spierings
Shea Spierings is a Gangulu man from Central Queensland. He’s currently at the University of Queensland’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, investigating the impact of intensive criminalisation and incarceration upon Aboriginal men’s health and wellbeing.
Shea’s research project utilises both Indigenous and mainstream qualitative conceptual and methodological tools to unpack participant’s stories and highlight the complex intersection between the criminalisation of Indigeneity, Aboriginal masculinity, and Aboriginal health. Shea has previously worked in the Indigenous Community Controlled Health Sector, and has served as a Deadly Choices Ambassador. He is currently a Non-Executive Director for the Sunshine Coast Health Network.
In 2015 Shea was appointed by the Australian Government to serve as the Australian Youth Delegate to the United Nations (UN). Before becoming the Australian Youth Delegate to the UN, Shea worked in various policy and community development roles, and in the construction industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from the University of Queensland.