Dennis Foley

Professor Dennis Foley is a valued member of the Business Government and Law Faculty at the University of Canberra. Working at the university since January 2018. His main research focus is towards the emerging discipline of Indigenous enterprise and entrepreneurship. Dennis’ career within the tertiary education sector began researching an Indigenous Career and Employment strategy at Griffith University followed by the establishment of the first Australian Indigenous Degree program in Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art. Several teaching appointments followed including teaching MBA, Indigenous Land-Use Management Practice at the University of Queensland, Business and Management courses at the Australian Catholic University, and teaching Humanities, Education and the Arts at the Universities of Queensland, Sydney, Queensland University of Technology and the University of Hawaii, as well as Financial and Strategic Management at Swinburne University.

Prior to joining the tertiary education sector, Dennis held middle to senior management positions within the banking and finance sector. Professor Foley is a Fulbright Scholar and dual Endeavour Fellow. His publications focus on social inclusion and cross disciples such as Indigenous Literature, Indigenous History, Indigenous Studies, Business Management (Entrepreneurship) and Indigenous Epistemology and Pedagogy. In a recent successful Australian Research Grant rejoinder Dr Foley was described by his examiners as:

“… Foley holds much credibility in this field. His contribution to the field of Australian Indigenous business and economic engagement is significant, and his personal knowledge of the field is very strong”.

“Outstanding: Of the highest quality and at the forefront of research activity in this space. Prof. Foley leads research in the space of Indigenous entrepreneurship and enterprise development in Australia”.

 “Professor Foley has done more than any other Australian researcher to develop the study of Indigenous businesses.”

Dennis identifies as Koori. His matrilineal connection is Gai-mariagal of northern Sydney, and his patrilineal connection is to the Wiradjuri people of the Turon River region. He is active within the Indigenous community and Indigenous business associations that includes the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. He has also received several ministerial appointments to state and federal Advisory Committees and currently researches in Canada, Ireland and across Aboriginal Australia.

The following are Professor Foley's Core Reserach Interets: 

1) Indigenous business practices investigating leadership, management and the change process of the minority entrepreneur on their entry into business to try and understand motivators and inhibitors of successful minority entrepreneurs, to increase academic and societal understanding of minority entrepreneurship reviewing wealth creation - human capital and the construction of social capital in marginalized people

2) Indigenous Entrepreneurship

3) Social Investment & Social Enterprise

4) Indigenous Business Education

5) The maintenance of cultural heritage management within Indigenous tourism

6) Indigenous Epistemology

7) Indigenous Social Well-being

8) Aboriginal History of Sydney

9) Māori Tourism and Entrepreneurship

10) Native Hawaiian Entrepreneurship

11) The History of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise with Minority Peoples, and

12) The Socio-Economic Wellbeing, Racism and Enterprise development of Irish Travellers.

Visting Scholarships: