Songlines are sophisticated Indigenous knowledge systems that encode complex information about geography, ecology, law, and ancestral relationships, through interconnected stories, songs, and ceremonies that have been maintained and transmitted across tens of thousands of years. These living traditions continue to guide Aboriginal Australians today in their relationships with the land, the sky, and all that inhabits the world.

This rich tradition of knowledge creation and validation raises broader questions about how different cultures and disciplines understand evidence and truth. In this session, an interdisciplinary panel explores the fascinating intersections of scientific observation, cultural preservation, historical research, and museum practice.

Speakers from Physics, History, NUS Libraries, and the National Museum of Australia will offer unique insights into how their fields approach evidence and knowledge creation. Together, they will examine fundamental questions: What counts as valid evidence across different disciplines? How can we work respectfully with knowledge systems grounded in differing assumptions and methodologies? And what can we learn when scientific, cultural, and historical perspectives converge?

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges us to think beyond disciplinary boundaries.

This talk is organised by our librarians Herman Felani and Jamila Osman.

The exhibition is at Central Library, Level 4, until 30 January 2026. Learn more on the exhibition website.