Presenter: Owen Cafe & Shayne Bates (BLAKLASH) - ONLINE
This session will be online ONLY.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98581066200?pwd=ba6SUJo6f9Catp32o21a7EFAOKYUSw.1
Abstract
When we start with Country, everything comes back to Country.
This presentation explores the collaboration between archaeology and design, and how these practices can come together to deepen our understanding of Country. We will introduce BLAKLASH as an organisation and share our approach to working with and for Community, centring Country, cultural knowledge and local voices throughout the design process. Owen will reflect on the journey of mentoring Shayne throughout her internship at BLAKLASH, while also exploring how this collaboration between archaeology and design has developed. Together, we will discuss what we hope to build from this work and how we see the relationship between archaeology and design evolving into the future.
About the Presenters
Owen Cafe
Owen Cafe is a proud Whadjuk–Pindjarup person and Principal Landscape Architect at Blaklash. His work is grounded in a commitment to social, ecological, and cultural justice, using design as a tool for connection, healing, and change. At the heart of Owen’s practice is a deep engagement with the intersection of culture, identity, and ecology, informing spaces that foster meaningful connections to Country. Beyond practice, teaching across several Australian universities, Owen works to embed Indigenous perspectives into design education, curriculum, and development. He also contributes to national reform through his roles on the QLD AILA Executive Board and Connection to Country committees.
Shayne Bates
Shayne Bates is a proud Barkindji-Ngemba woman from Bourke, NSW, with family connections that follow the Baarka (Darling River). She's an HDR student in Archaeology and an archaeologist at BLAKLASH, joining the team as an intern in early 2026 through the UQ HDR Placement Program. Since joining BLAKLASH, Shayne has worked closely with the team to facilitate community engagement across Australia. At the heart of her practice at BLAKLASH is exploring how archaeology can be embedded within design processes and used as a tool to inform and influence architectural practice. Her work centres Country and the voices of local communities, advocating for design approaches that are grounded in place, community, cultural knowledge and deep time.
About Archaeology Working Papers
The Working Papers in Archaeology seminar series provides a forum for dissemination of archaeological research and ideas amongst UQ archaeology students and staff. All students are invited to attend the series and postgraduate students, from honours upwards, are invited to present their research. The aim is to provide opportunities for students, staff and those from outside UQ, to present and discuss their work in an informal environment. It is hoped that anyone interested in current archaeological directions, both within and outside the School and University, will be able to attend and contribute to the series.