Dr Anna Fagan is the founder, Principal and Director of Fagan Heritage Pty Ltd. She holds a PhD in Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Melbourne and has extensive experience working across Aboriginal cultural heritage, native title, environmental assessment, agreement-making, governance, human rights and community-led research.
Dr Fagan works exclusively with Aboriginal Corporations, Prescribed Bodies Corporate and Traditional Owner organisations to strengthen cultural heritage governance, protect Country, uphold Aboriginal decision-making and secure better outcomes from projects affecting Aboriginal lands, waters and cultural values.
Her work combines archaeological and anthropological expertise with practical experience in senior management, agreement negotiation, corporate governance, heritage systems, consultation processes, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, data sovereignty, environmental advocacy and sustainable business development.
Dr Fagan has worked with Aboriginal organisations across Australia and internationally to develop and improve cultural heritage frameworks, negotiate heritage and commercial agreements, design consultation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent processes, prepare regulatory and environmental submissions, review project impacts, coordinate cultural heritage assessments, strengthen internal policies and procedures, and build sustainable heritage operations.
She has demonstrated experience securing significant socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal Corporations and Communities, including long-term funding arrangements, commercial and heritage agreements, research grants, governance reforms, cultural heritage business models and community-led cultural and environmental initiatives.
Dr Fagan’s advocacy is grounded in Aboriginal self-determination, cultural authority and the protection of Country. Her work has focused on ensuring that Aboriginal values, voices, cultural knowledge, environmental responsibilities and socio-economic aspirations are properly recognised in heritage, mining, infrastructure, renewable energy, environmental assessment and land-use decision-making. Her areas of work include:
Cultural heritage governance, systems and operational reform
Heritage, mining, research, funding and commercial agreement review and negotiation
Free, Prior and Informed Consent processes and consultation protocols
Aboriginal cultural heritage survey design, review and project management
Section 16, section 18, activity notice and heritage approval advice
Social Surroundings, cultural values and environmental assessment advice
Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and data sovereignty frameworks
Corporate governance, Board and committee reporting, policies and procedures
Community-led archaeological, anthropological and cultural values research
Cultural and environmental revitalisation projects
Sustainable heritage business development, funding models and service frameworks
Art, culture and cultural tourism initiatives
Through Fagan Heritage, Dr Fagan provides strategic, practical and culturally accountable advice to Aboriginal organisations seeking to protect Country, strengthen decision-making, improve agreements, respond to project pressures and build long-term organisational capacity.
