James Blackwell is a Research Fellow in Indigenous Diplomacies at the Australian National University’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, as well a PhD Candidate within the School. A proud Wiradyuri man, James’ work centres on prioritising Indigenous voices within predominately white systems of governance. He sees this work as a way to advance Indigenous knowledges and perspectives into spaces previously built around the exclusion of Indigenous voices, and create a greater presence for his community. 
James is currently focused on conceptualising First Nations foreign policy approaches and how First Nations peoples and knowledges can be better utilised in IR theory and foreign policy practice. 
He also is a current member of the Uluru Dialogue based out of UNSW, working to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and on advancing a constitutionally-enshrined First Nations Voice to Parliament. 
James has a Master of International Relations from the University of Queensland, as well as a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Science from the University of Sydney. Alongside his PhD, he is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Heritage and Culture at Charles Sturt University.