2022 First Nations Law Awards
Bundjalung and Kungarakany woman Dr Dani Larkin was named First Nations Legal Researcher of the Year at the 2022 Ngalaya Ball.
Dr Dani Larkin is a Lecturer and Deputy Director of the Indigenous Law Centre at UNSW Sydney.
Prior to becoming a legal academic, Dani worked as a Solicitor in government departments and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.
Dani completed her PhD in Law in 2020, with a thesis examining the ways that Aboriginal people in Australia are limited from the political franchise at the Commonwealth level, with a comparative consideration of experiences in other countries like Canada and New Zealand.
Dani now plays an important role in the Senior Uluru Dialogue leadership advocating for the reforms of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Dr Dani Larkin speaking after accepting her award at the 2022 Ngalaya Ball
In her role as Deputy Director of the ILC, Dani works with Professor Megan Davis to collaborate with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre's running of the Towards Truth project.
After accepting her award, Dani reflected on her journey from growing up on Country in Grafton to where she is today. She hopes that her receiving the First Nations Legal Researcher of the Year Award "somehow inspires and gives hope to the next generation of Indigenous legal academics and encourages them to stay strong, to continue to fight for justice and to always give back to our people."
Dr Dani Larkin accepting the First Nations Legal Researcher of the Year Award from Ngalaya CEO Jason O'Neil.