Kula completed a Bachelor of Laws at JCU Cairns in 2016, followed by a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2017 at QUT. Kula was admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2019.
Driven by her PNG heritage and interest in anthropology this led Kula to complete a Graduate Certificate in Research Methods in 2020. Kula started her PhD at JCU in early 2021. Her research will have a legal anthropological focus and will investigate PNG cultural heritage issues that arise in museums, galleries and libraries.
Research Topic:
PNG Heritage in the archives: A legal anthropology of cultural property
Research Outline:
This project explores cultural heritage issues concerning collections held in public institutions such as museums, galleries and libraries. There will be a particular emphasis on collections from Papua New Guinea with a focus on the Bragge Collection in the JCU Library. The Bragge Collection contains cultural artefacts and oral written histories from the Sepik region. Currently there are no set guidelines in PNG to protect intangible cultural property in public institutions. This project will analyse issues pertaining to access and ownership rights and repatriation. Intellectual Property Rights Laws, Cultural Heritage Laws and Customary Laws will be discussed to determine their effectiveness and applicability in managing and protecting cultural heritage items in museums, galleries and libraries.
Research Grants
Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Supervisory Team
- Professor Rosita Henry
- Dr. Michael Wood
- Professor Elizabeth Spencer
- Mr. Sam Kaipu (UPNG)
- Dr. Andrew Moutu (PNG National Museum & Art Gallery)