Rebecca Beutel

MPhil in Development Studies
Green Templeton College, Oxford
2022 Charlie Perkins Scholar 
2022 Chevening Scholar
2020 Aurora Study Tour

I learnt so much during my two years at Oxford, both academically and personally. Working on my thesis has been some of the most challenging and yet deeply rewarding experiences, and became a really important avenue for me to connect more with my community and culture.

Rebecca (Bec) Beutel is a proud Kuku Yalanji woman who grew up on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. Bec attained a double degree of Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Development Studies) and a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability (majoring in Sustainability Studies and minoring in Australian Indigenous Studies) from the Australian National University. She has spent time working with the National Gallery of Australia and Museum of Australian Democracy promoting the cultural capabilities and competency. Bec wishes to contribute to the emerging continuum of First Nations voices within the previously exclusive academics, whilst also breaking down the barriers of social capital that have for too long been used against Indigenous Australians. 

Bec completed her MPhil in 2024 with her thesis titled: "Bama on Bubu: Claims for Land, Governance, and Nationhood in the Daintree through the Resurgence of Bama Culture Importance of rebuilding cultural strength and community in projects of Indigenous nation building." Bec is spending time getting work experience in the policy space in London local government before returning to Australia to commence her PhD.