The MLT is made up of permanent, part-time and contract staff who bring a large range of expertise and experience to the projects we work on. Based out of the University of Adelaide and working across the length and breadth of South Australia, the MLT prides itself on expertise from not only linguistics but also the education sectors, health sectors, community advocacy sectors and cultural and language experts.
Aboriginal Co-Manager & Senior Aboriginal Language Expert
(08) 8313 0707
Karina is a Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman who grew up on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) in the Far North West of South Australia. In her spare time she works as an Anangu Interpreter and Translator for the Western Desert Language that covers a large area of the State. Karina is very passionate about maintaining her Aboriginal Language and about hearing from other South Australian Aboriginal people on how they would like to maintain their languages. Karina hosts a weekly radio show Nganampa Wangka which talks about language activities in the state. Tune into Radio Adelaide on 101.5fm Fridays 7–8pm.
Manager & Senior Linguist
(08) 8313 0790
Paul is a foundation member of the MLT and has worked on a wide range of language and culture documentation and revitalisation projects in Australia and overseas. He has significant experience providing expert linguistic anthropological opinion in Native Title matters and performing social analysis in Aboriginal communities. His current focus is on the Far North region of South Australia, incuding the Yankunytjatjara, Lower Arrernte, Arabana, and Wangkangurru languages.
Aboriginal Language Worker
Amelia is a Kokatha/Pitjantjatjara woman and a NAATI-accredited interpreter and translator for Pitjantjatjara. With over 30 years of experience working with languages, Amelia is a fluent Pitjantjatjara speaker. She has contributed to a range of projects in Indigenous health, education, and community engagement working on empowering Aṉangu and ensuring their voices are accurately represented in all aspects of life. At the Mobile Language Team, Amelia focuses on developing language resources for the community aimed at building language skills among younger generations of Aṉangu.
Project Linguist
Juliet has an honours degree in Linguistics with a specialisation in Aboriginal languages. She is a TESOL-qualified teacher and Trainer & Assessor, with language teaching experience in the VET and tertiary sectors. Juliet is based in Port Augusta, and she is passionate about working with Aboriginal communities on projects using language to strengthen connection to culture and identity.
Project Linguist
Phoebe completed her Honours in Linguistics degree in 2023, focusing on Aboriginal languages. She has an interest in second language teaching methods, as well as experience documenting languages and working with archival sources. Phoebe is also a keen amateur musician and enjoys exploring the relationship between language and music as mediums for expressing identity and culture.
Creative Content Producer
Jaylon is a Narungga and Kaurna man based on Kaurna Country. He is a storyteller whose work centres on language revival, cultural resurgence, and digital storytelling. With an academic background in media and an honours thesis focused on Aboriginal microcelebrity culture, he brings a deep understanding of how First Nations identities are expressed and reclaimed through contemporary online platforms. His work is about presence, pride, and power. It is grounded in the belief that language is not just communication, but it is a living connection to Country, culture, and kin.
Linguistics Officer (Education and Training)
Celena is a Nedut’en (Lake Babine Nation) woman who grew up on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Applied Linguistics) and a Bachelor of Psychology and completed her Honours degree in 2024 with an autoethnographic study focused on Migrant Indigenous Identity. Celena’s work is grounded in a strong commitment to Indigenous language revival, oral histories, storytelling, and creative approaches to language learning. At the Mobile Language Team, she supports development of diverse language resources that centre culture, narrative and community knowledge. Outside of work, Celena enjoys making traditional beadwork.
Linguistics Officer
Cody holds a Bachelor of Languages, with a specialisation in Spanish and Applied Linguistics. He has a strong interest in both international and Indigenous languages, and a commitment to supporting language preservation and revival. He is currently working on the production of language learning resources for schools and communities.