Monash University Researchers Launch Global Encounters Website
Monash University researchers have launched a groundbreaking interactive website called Global Encounters, offering users the opportunity to explore Australia’s digital history through immersive maps and 3D models. The website acts as a cultural gateway, linking historical sources of encounters around Australia to specific geographical locations. The goal of the project is to reframe Australia’s national story by highlighting the broader history of global intrusion and exploration, and moving beyond traditional colonial narratives.
Global Encounters features a virtual reality component, allowing participants to step into the spaces of historical encounters and experience the ecology and soundscapes of pre-colonial landscapes. Anthropological historian Professor Lynette Russell from the Faculty of Arts emphasized that the project aims to document over 1000 years of encounter and interaction, emphasizing Indigenous agency and responses to newcomers on their own terms.
The website also serves as a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to contribute their own stories, making it a scalable and inclusive resource.
Dr Tom Chandler from the Faculty of Information Technology highlighted the immersive landscapes that transport users into a different historical reality. He described the digital mapping of history as an invitation to explore complex constructions and layers of meaning and process. The virtual reality model includes dynamic elements such as landscape animation and the creation of soundscapes, adding depth to the historical context.
The Global Encounters website was funded by the Australian Research Council Laureate Scheme as part of the Global Encounters & First Nations Peoples: 1000 years of Australian History project. Monash University is also providing support for the project, demonstrating the potential of new ways to interact with historical data.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The launch of Monash University’s Global Encounters website will revolutionize the exploration of Australia’s digital history. With immersive maps, 3D models, and virtual reality, users can experience historical encounters and landscapes. By reframing Australia’s national story and emphasizing Indigenous agency, this project will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the country’s history. The inclusive platform also allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to contribute their own stories. This groundbreaking initiative has the potential to change the way we interact with historical data. Market impact: increased interest in Australian history and digital exploration.
