The Paper and Talk workshops are a collaborative initiative between AIATSIS and Living Languages. The aim of the workshops is to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community researchers with access to language materials held at AIATSIS and other collecting institutions and through comprehensive training sessions, equip them with the skills and knowledge to interpret, use, and share these precious resources.
2025 Paper and Talk participants and support staff, outside Maraga, AIATSIS, Canberra
2025 Paper and Talk participants and support staff, outside Maraga, AIATSIS, Canberra
'Thanks to Paper and Talk, my children will have access to language and heritage.’
– 2025 Paper and Talk community researcher
‘...overall, it was an emotional and life changing workshop. I personally walked away with a lifelong memory I will hold close to my heart.’
- 2023 Paper and Talk community researcher.
Paper and Talk 2023
Objectives
Paper and Talk has several key objectives:
- Equip community researchers with linguistic and archival skills to analyse and interpret language materials.
- Foster collaboration and networking among language groups working on language revitalisation projects.
- Support the development of language resources and materials for community use.
- Contribute to the strengthening of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Eligibility
The Paper and Talk workshops are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are actively involved in language revitalisation efforts. Applicants should have a strong interest in language revitalisation and a commitment to using language materials to support language strengthening initiatives in their community. Anyone is welcome to submit an expression of interest, but priority will be given to language groups that:
- have no living first-language speakers
- have had no or minimal work done with their language
- have not yet had access to language materials held at AIATSIS.
In partnership with Living Languages, AIATSIS is thrilled to host the 2026 Paper and Talk workshop from 12-23 October 2026. Participants will spend the two weeks immersed in their language materials held at AIATSIS.
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person passionate about revitalising your language, we encourage you to apply for the Paper and Talk workshop.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Paper and Talk are now open all year round. You can submit your EOI at any time if you would like to participate in a Paper and Talk workshop. More information, including the EOI form can be found here: Paper and Talk 2026 EOI
Impact
By providing community researchers with access to language materials and tailored training in linguistics and archival research, Paper and Talk equips participants with relevant skills that allows them to connect and share their knowledge and expertise with their community. In this way, the workshop helps develop a network of community members skilled in language work, contributing to language strengthening activities around Australia.
Groups that have joined us at previous Paper and Talk workshops.
Groups that have joined us at previous Paper and Talk workshops.
Marie Dennis working on Birri Gubba language, with linguistic partners from Living Languages at the 2023 Paper and Talk workshop.
Marie Dennis working on Birri Gubba language, with linguistic partners from Living Languages at the 2023 Paper and Talk workshop.
