Dr Thomas is a Nukunu person of the Southern Flinders Ranges and member of the Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation.

Dr Jared Thomas is the William and Margaret Geary Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts and Material Culture at the South Australian Museum. He is the former Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts and Culture at Arts South Australia and Lecturer at the University of South Australia where he worked as a lecturer of Communication: Aboriginal Studies and Literature from 2006-2013.

Much of his work in this position focused on the politics of representation of Indigenous people in literature, film and media and the relationship between representation, policy and public conversation. A dominant aspect of his teaching is communicating to future practitioners the importance of Aboriginal protocols and ethics relating to film, literature, arts, media production and community engagement.

Dr Thomas' knowledge in this field is enhanced through his work as a curator, arts administrator, writer and contributor to film and television projects. His experience in this field is acknowledged through engagement by the Australia Council for the Arts Strategic Initiatives Panel and the South Australian Country Arts Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

An international award winning author, his works of theatre and fiction explore issues relating to Aboriginal marginalisation and resistance, the environment, gender and sexuality. He is a proud Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.