Dr Clare Archer-Lean is a core member of the Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC) at UniSC, and a Senior Lecturer in English (HDR Coordinator). Her transdisciplinary research bridges literature, critical animal studies, Indigenous storytelling, ecocriticism and sustainability.

Research Focus

Dr Archer-Lean explores ethical, compassionate relationships with more than the human world, investigating how narrative practices can reshape human–animal–environment relations. Her work draws on Indigenous literatures, eco-critical theory, and Australian fiction to foreground more relational, embedded ways of being. She is Chief Investigator on the ARC Linkage Project Reading Climate: Indigenous Literatures, School English & Sustainable Futures (2024–2026), which builds resources for schools to incorporate Indigenous climate fiction into English curriculum. Clare obtained the UniSC Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision in 2024 and the School of Business and Creative Industries Engagement and Service Excellence Award 2025.

Key Research Impact

Clare’s work has deeply influenced how literature, education and sustainability intersect. Clare collaborates on Q1 publications with Waka Waka Gooreng Goorend Professor Sandra Phillips, including “Indigenous futurism: re-reading contemporary Indigenous climate stories as guidance in the material world” Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, p1-14. Clare led the reading climate team on “Reading climate: Subject English beyond the colonial” Discourse, Vol. 46(2), pp 206-222 which argues for reading practices that go beyond traditional close-reading by foregrounding Indigenous relationality and climate storytelling.

She also co-authored the 2024 study “‘Need to know they’re doing the right thing’: Exploring secondary English teacher approaches to Indigenous climate fiction” in the Journal of Language, Literature & Culture, which highlights how English teachers engage (or struggle to engage) with Indigenous climate fiction and points to ways to build their pedagogical confidence.

Clare engages in transdisciplinary work, resulting in Q1 publication and industry partnerships including collaborating with Gamiloray Professor Bindi Bennett on “Understanding camp dogs: the relationship between Aboriginal culture and western welfare.” AlterNative Vol 19, Issue 2.

Clare’s work is facilitated through inter-institutional collaboration and Indigenous professoriate mentorship.

Clare co-wrote “Introduction: Animal Cultures” in Animal Studies Journal (2024), offering interdisciplinary reflection on animal cultural research.

Clare has a strong commitment to capacity building Indigenous HDR research through culturally appropriate practice and has supervised two Indigenous candidates to completion. Another candidate is currently enrolled. Clare has supported the initiation, assessment and award of Indigenous HDR scholarships at UniSC and cross institutionally.

Translation to Practice and Policy

• Through the Reading Climate project, her research is shaping teacher professional development and curriculum design for English teachers to bring Indigenous climate fiction into secondary education.
• Her work on traditional and more-than-human relationships (e.g., camp dogs) contributes to welfare policy conversations, bridging cross-cultural perspectives.
• By partnering with Indigenous writers, schools, community organisations and environmental managers, she supports more culturally grounded and ecologically aware practices in education and conservation.

Recognition and Significance

Dr Archer-Lean’s research exemplifies the ITRC’s values: it is culturally responsive, environmentally conscious, and deeply collaborative. Her recent scholarly and applied work spanning literature, pedagogy and animal environment ethics advances the ITRC’s vision to amplify diverse voices, foster transcultural knowledge, and promote sustainable, relational engagement with the natural world.