Laura McBride

Laura McBride is a Wailwan woman and Director, First Nations at the Australian Museum (AM). Leading the First Nations strategic direction and operations, she oversees the management of the Archaeology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and Pasifika cultural collections.

Laura’s vision for the AM focuses on prioritizing and amplifying First Nations voices, ensuring that Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Pasifika communities authentically represent themselves and their cultures within the Museum. She has been pivotal in guiding the Executive Leadership Team towards fostering stronger connections with First Nations stakeholders and knowledge-holders and building Indigenous self-determination into the interpretation, care, classification, access and use of cultural objects.

With over 15 years of professional experience in museums, Indigenous education, and cultural heritage, Laura is an acclaimed curator. She has received awards for her work and has led First Nations storytelling through exhibitions like GADI and UNSETTLED.

Since the Division was launched in 2021, Laura has guided her team in the delivery of the groundbreaking Wansolmoana permanent exhibition, exploring the interconnected histories and cultures of Pasifika nations; BURRA Learning Place; Her Name is Nanny Nellie documentary and display; and the AM’s repatriation operations that has led to the repatriation of 9 Aboriginal Ancestors to 7 communities and two Tongan Ancestors back to the Kingdom of Tonga.

Laura holds academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Arts (University of Sydney, 2008) with a double major in Psychology and Australian Indigenous Studies, and a Master of Aboriginal Education (University of Technology Sydney, 2012).