Dr Glenys Dale Collard is a distinguished Nyungar woman, recognised for her pioneering contributions to Aboriginal education and cultural advocacy. As an Adjunct Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia (UWA) and a Language Lab member, Glenys has dedicated her career to elevating the status of Aboriginal English.

After working in the early 1990s with Nyungar elders to compile groundbreaking Nyungar language resources including the Nyungar Our Way language course and Kura by Tom Yelakitj Bennell, Glenys was instrumental in the Western Australian Department of Education’s ABC of Two-Way Literacy and Learning project, which she has co-led with Patricia Konigsberg since 1996. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between Aboriginal English and mainstream Australian English, thereby improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students. Her expertise in “two-way” communication—respecting Aboriginal ways of knowing while engaging with Western systems—has shaped discussions, policies, and programs at state, national, and international levels.

Glenys’ academic work is characterised by impact. Her collaboration with the Heart Foundation led to the development of culturally appropriate health materials in Aboriginal English, ensuring accessibility for First Nations communities. She has also recently partnered with Google on a groundbreaking initiative to make voice-operated Artificial Intelligence technology more inclusive for Aboriginal English speakers. With these initiatives, Glenys is at the forefront of urgent projects that seek to create thriving First Nations futures.

Glenys’ unique scholarly career has allowed her to deliver maximum impact and intellectual breakthroughs. Glenys has worked with scholars such as Prof. Ian Malcolm and A/Prof. Celeste Rodríguez Louro whose own successful careers have been significantly boosted by collaborative work with Glenys. Her UWA Honorary Doctorate has allowed the UWA academic community to recognise Glenys’ contributions outside traditional academic pathways.