Julie Finlayson is an anthropologist who has worked as an academic (La Trobe University and ANU) and in applied fields, including claim/heritage work under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act, and across the native title system. Her early consultancy work in native title included an innovative program for early career native title anthropologists funded by the NNTT, and a survey in 2006 of the demography and skills of anthropologists in the native title sector. For several years she ran fee-paying intensive courses for native title practictioners through the University of Adelaide. She consulted to ATSIC's Native Title Branch and was a member of the Minister's team reviewing NTRBs after legislative amendments initiated by the 10 Point Plan. During 8 years in the Australian Public Service she work in AGD funding Indigenous legal aid services, and in FAHCSIA's CDEP program. Her published research, aside from native title (see CAEPR DPs) includes a study of successful Indigenous organisations (see AIATSIS). Recently she was a manager/DJ in an Indigenous community radio station in rural Australia.

Julie is currently Research Fellow at the Centre for Native Title Anthropology at the ANU.