Professor Marcia Langton awarded inaugural Rechnitz Memorial Award

Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton AO has been awarded the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s Rechnitz Memorial Award – a new award created to recognise excellence in research leadership and advancement of knowledge of Indigenous society, culture and language

A descendant of the Yiman and Bidjara nations, Professor Langton has spent more than four decades championing the rights, voices, and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

‘I am very honoured to receive the Rechnitz Memorial Award from the Academy,” Professor Langton said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to have my work acknowledged, both as an academic and an engaged anthropologist who has attempted to bring about reform that benefits Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.

An anthropologist and geographer by training, Professor Langton has written more than 100 academic papers and 15 books including Welcome to Country and 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art.

Professor Langton was made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia in 2003 – the first Indigenous scholar to join the Academy. The University of Melbourne awarded her the title of Melbourne Laureate Professor in 2025.

Professor Jane Gunn, University of Melbourne Interim Provost, congratulated Professor Langton on her award.

“The Rechnitz Memorial Award recognises Professor Langton’s remarkable contribution to the social sciences, both as a scholar and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Professor Gunn said. “Professor Langton is an inspiration for our University community, and we are incredibly proud of her.”

The Rechnitz Memorial Award is open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars. Nominees are chosen and endorsed by Fellows the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia or the Australian Academy of Humanities.