Top-Viewed Research Shines Light on Conspiracy Theories and Native Title

Congratulations to Pascale Taplin, Dr Claire Holland, and Lorelei Billing, whose article “The Sovereign Citizen Superconspiracy: Contemporary Issues in Native Title Anthropology” was ranked in the top 10% of most-viewed papers in The Australian Journal of Anthropology for 2023! This standout piece explores how sovereign citizen conspiracy theories are seeping into the native title process in Australia, creating challenges for legal practitioners and impacting Indigenous communities.

The collaboration between anthropologist Pascale, conflict management specialist Claire, and lawyer Lorelei was sparked at the inaugural James Cook University Research for Ethical Development (JCU RED) Symposium in July 2022, hosted by The Cairns Institute. The event brought researchers together to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and encourage cross-disciplinary partnerships. It worked—Pascale’s presentation on the rise of conspiracy belief systems in native title contexts struck a chord, and robust conversations quickly turned into a joint research project.

Their article reveals how individuals disillusioned by the outcomes of native title claims may turn to pseudolegal beliefs drawn from the sovereign citizen movement—ideas that reject the legitimacy of the Australian legal system. These views, while often incoherent from a legal perspective, are gaining traction and derailing legitimate native title claims. The team emphasises the urgent need for native title practitioners and institutions to understand and counter these narratives through targeted training and community engagement. Thanks to open access through the Wiley-CAUL agreement with James Cook University (JCU), the article is freely available to all.

Pascale and Claire continued their partnership with a follow-up article in the Journal of Information Warfare, on “Sovereign Citizen Rhetoric as Narrative Warfare,” which reframes these conspiracy theories as strategic narratives designed to undermine democratic legitimacy. They argue for a policy approach that addresses the cultural and emotional appeal of these ideologies— not just their legal contradictions.

Their research is making waves in both academic and practitioner circles, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex societal challenges. Pascale is now undertaking a PhD at the Australian National University (ANU) researching conspiracy thinking and its policy implications.

Dr Claire, an adjunct Senior Researcher with The Cairns Institute, is applying her skills in international development projects in Papua New Guinea and teaching conflict management courses. Lorelei is a criminal lawyer with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in Townsville, and teaches the subject Indigenous Peoples and the Law at JCU.

Pascale and Claire also have a chapter forthcoming on how anthropologists can navigate legal proceedings involving pseudolaw and sovereign citizen rhetoric. From casual symposium chats to nationally recognised research, this collaboration is a testament to the value of ethical, cross-disciplinary scholarship that addresses real-world issues.

See relevant publications:

Taplin, P., Innes, T. and Holland, C. (forthcoming). Strategies for anthropologists navigating legal proceedings involving sovereign citizens and pseudolaw adherents. In J. Rose, K. de Rijke, P. Taplin, & R. Martin (Eds), Forensic and Expert Social Anthropology in Australia Today (chapter 3). Berghahn Book Series.

Taplin, P. and Holland, C. (2023) ‘Sovereign Citizen Rhetoric as Narrative Warfare. Journal of Information Warfare’, Journal of Information Warfare, 22(3).

Taplin, P., Holland, C. and Billing, L. (2023) ‘The sovereign citizen superconspiracy: Contemporary issues in native title anthropology.’, The Australian Journal of Anthropology, 34(2), pp. 110–129.

Taplin, P. (2023) ‘Contextualizing Belief in Conspiracy Theories: A Case Study in Native Title.’, Dispute Resolution Review, 2(1), pp. 1–11.

April 2025