Emeritus Professor Dr Len Collard is a Whadjuk Nyungar elder and respected Traditional Owner of the Perth Metropolitan area and surrounding lands, rivers, swamps, ocean and culture. Dr Collard has a background in literature and communications, with research interests in Aboriginal Studies, including Nyungar interpretive histories and Nyungar theoretical and applied practical research models. Dr Collard has conducted research funded by the Australian Research Council, the National Trust of Western Australia, and many other research institutions and organisations. Len's research has allowed the broadening of the understanding of the many unique characteristics of Australia's Aboriginal people and has contributed enormously to elevating the appreciation of culture and heritage of the Southwest region of Australia. Len’s groundbreaking theoretical work has put Nyungar cultural research on the local, national and international stages.

In 2023 Professor Collard was admitted to the UWA Emeriti Professors College and awarded an honorary PhD in Education from Edith Cowan University.

Professor Collard was awarded the honorary PhD in recognition of his dedication to teaching and research, to driving positive change within education and society, to helping and supporting people on their journey to awareness and contributing to the appreciation of Aboriginal history and culture. He was acknowledged for epitomising ECU’s values of integrity, respect, rational inquiry, personal excellence, and courage, and being an inspiring role model for future generations. The opportunity to teach, mentor and graduate so many students in the field of Aboriginal studies has been a significant achievement for Len, along with being recognised by his peers in his promotion to Emeritus Professor at UWA.

My research area is Aboriginal studies with a focus on Nyungar Theory: Boodjar, Moort and Katitjin which are the underlying tenets of all my research projects.  My Nyungar theoretical framework is a ground breaking and innovative approach to contextualise theoretical and applied Indigenous ways of knowing.  My framework has been shared at local, national and international levels so that it can be applied by all researchers in their scholarly endeavours. 

Another focus of my research is utilising and/or developing digital technologies and platforms to showcase my research projects including; Noongar-pedia, Nyungar Placenames, Nyungar Tourism in the southwest of Western Australia, Nyungar Wardan Katitjin Bidi - Derbarl Nara,  Nidja Beeliar Boodjar Noonookurt Nyininy : a Nyungar interpretive history of the use of Boodjar (country) in the vicinity of Murdoch University, Perth, Quop Maaman: Aboriginal Fathering Project, as well as  the documentary film Noongar of the Beeliar.  I continue to contribute to a wide range of journal articles, chapters and books.

Aboriginal knowledge espistemology in research, teaching and community engagement
Nyungar Language and culture wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/multimedia/nyungar www.derbalnara.org.au
Aboriginal Placenames of the south-west of Western Australia www.boodjar.sis.uwa.edu.au
Nyungar-pedia NoongarPedia
Cultural respect and goodwill
Men's social and emotional well being
Collaborative approaches to research, teaching and community engagement