Tiahni Adamson - Public Lecture for ICOM NATHIST

Caring for Country: Bringing Science, Culture and Knowledge Together

Join us for this special public lecture opening the ICOM NATHIST 2026 conference in Adelaide, South Australia.

What can we achieve when different ways of understanding the world come together? Join Tiahni Adamson, proud Kaurareg woman, wildlife conservation biologist and advocate for First Nations leadership, for an inspiring exploration of how science, culture and diverse knowledge systems can help shape a more sustainable future.

Drawing on her work at the intersection of conservation, climate action and First Nations engagement, Tiahni will explore the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in responding to the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. She will invite us to reconsider whose knowledge is valued, how we work together, and what it means to care for Country across generations.

Through a vision of conservation grounded in relationships, cultural knowledge and shared responsibility, Tiahni will challenge us to think differently about the future of our planet and our collective capacity to create meaningful, lasting change.

Dates: Monday 9 November 2026

Times: 6:00pm - 7:45pm

Formalities begin at 6:30pm

Location: Bragg Lecture Theatre, The Braggs Building

Adelaide University City Campus East (C6 on the map)

Tickets: Free, registration required

Please note this talk is intended for all ages.

Tiahni Adamson is a proud Kaurareg woman, wildlife conservation biologist and advocate for First Nations Australians and women in STEM, with a career spanning conservation science, climate action, science communication, and First Nations science and engagement.

She currently serves as National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager at Bush Heritage Australia, leading the organisation's partnerships with First Peoples to deliver culturally grounded conservation outcomes and protect Healthy Country.

Alongside her professional work, Tiahni was a youth member of the Uluru Statement from the Heart movement and sat on the leadership team of Seed, Australia's only Indigenous-led youth climate justice organisation, and was trained by Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in 2019.

Tiahni holds board and advisory roles across South Australia's environment and climate sector, including with Green Adelaide, the Premier's Climate Change Council, Climate Defenders Australia and Adelaide University's Environment Institute Advisory, where she also lectures casually in coastal environments and sciences, alongside running her own consultancy in science communication and First Nations justice.

Tiahni is recognised nationally for her work bridging conservation science, climate action and Indigenous knowledge. She was named South Australia's Young Australian of the Year in 2024, recognised as a Superstar of STEM by Science & Technology Australia, and listed in InDaily's South Australian 40 Under 40.

She co-produces and hosts season 3 of the podcast Big Sky Country, with her extensive media engagement reaching over one million viewers and listeners, bringing Indigenous wisdom and two-way knowledge into conservation conversations and driving positive change.

A conference for the Natural History Collections sector

From 9-12 November, Adelaide will welcome museum and natural history experts from around the world as it hosts a major international conference and annual general meeting for the global museums and collections sector, the ICOM NATHIST 2026 Annual Conference.

Jointly hosted by the South Australian Museum and the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, the International Conference and AGM is an important calendar event for the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its International Committee for Museums and Collections of Natural History (NATHIST).

Titled Collections for a Changing World, the 2026 conference will bring together international leaders, researchers, practitioners and policymakers to shape how natural history collections can respond to, and help guide, the defining challenges of the 21st century.

The program explores how science, culture and diverse knowledge systems can work together to address global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and wider societal transformation.

Attendees can choose from a dynamic program of presentations, discussions, tours and networking opportunities and a line-up of accomplished keynote, plenary and abstract speakers from across the globe will also present at the conference.

 Register for the conference here

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