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SBS Explores Identity

Explore what makes us who we are – from genetics to our cultural roots, from our shared passions to our individuality.

SBS Explores Identity

What makes us who we are? We take a look at what makes us who we are through a series of stories, news and programs. From genetics to cultural roots, through to shared passions and individual identities.

Radio

A Muslim Athiest Couple: Meet Shadi and Adam

Born in the Middle East, to a Palestinian family, Shadi migrated to Australia 6 years ago and says Australia gave him the freedom to be himself. Working as an...

News

Identity matters: 'Where you come from is part of your DNA' - Nick Kaldas

Nick Kaldas was one of Australia's highest ranked cops and 'probably as Australian as the next guy,' but he says identifying with his Egyptian heritage is still...

News

Jan Fran takes a DNA test: what did she discover?

Does Jan really know where she is from?

News

Unwelcome Everywhere: The Rohingya Story

Shunned by their home Myanmar, and facing an increasingly hostile reception elsewhere, Dateline hears the personal stories of the outcast Rohingya Muslims.

News

Identity Matters: Love is in the Australian air for John Paul Young

The 70's pop icon embraces his Scottish roots, but it doesn't make him any less Australian.

News

Identity Matters: 'The more I grow, the more I feel the ties back home' - Eman Sharobeem

Women's rights campaigner Eman Sharobeem migrated to Australia from Egypt as a child bride. She says Egypt gave her an education but Australia gave her a voice.

Feature

DNA Country

A precious store of Aboriginal hair, collected last century, may now tell a story tens of thousands of years old.

DNA Nation starts Sunday 22 May 8:30pm on SBS

DNA Nation

Who are we? And where do we come from?

Australia’s greatest Olympian Ian Thorpe, iconic Indigenous actor Ernie Dingo, and TV presenter and Queen of Eurovision Julia Zemiro set off on an epic journey of genetic time travel to find out.

On Demand

Catch up on DNA Nation: Episode 3

n this final episode, Ian's in the grasslands of Kyrgyzstan in the former Soviet Union to discover how his ancestors' horse-taming skills and the invention of the...

DNA Nation

What’s the difference between our cousins and our ‘genetic cousins’?

‘Genetic cousins’ is the term used in DNA Nation when Julia Zemiro and Ian Thorpe travel to meet their own genetic cousins – and what they discover is totally...

DNA Nation

Ernie Dingo: "When it came to learning about my ancestry, I almost wished I were a girl"

As part of SBS's DNA Nation, Ernie Dingo (accompanied by fellow travellers Julia Zemiro and Ian Thorpe) took off on an epic journey of genetic travel to find out...

DNA Nation

Julia Zemiro: "I went on a mission to uncover my true identity. What I found was completely unexpected"

As part of SBS's DNA Nation, Julia Zemiro (accompanied by fellow travellers Ernie Dingo and Ian Thorpe) took off on an epic journey of genetic travel to find out...

DNA Nation

DNA Nation: About the show

Ian Thorpe, Ernie Dingo and Julia Zemiro are about to become some of the first people in Australia to use DNA to go on a ...

Guide

DNA Planet: 7 incredible docos that explore identity on SBS On Demand

Dive into the genetic soup with these fascinating documentaries.

INTERACTIVE

Interactive: What's your Ancestry mix?

What’s your cultural background? Find out how unique your tribe is with our ancestry mixer.

Latest results

Residents of a tiny Australian island are calling for a return to self-rule to save their culture

17 April 2021 News

‘Good writing’ has always looked white and male. I'd rather pay attention to outsiders

14 April 2021 Culture

'I hid my sexuality for 20 years to avoid losing my family'

12 April 2021 ArabicAudio Track

‘A maid and a prisoner in my house’: Australian Arab explains the reasons for leaving her parents' home

12 April 2021 ArabicAudio Track

‘They thought I was possessed’: What prompted a provisional psychologist to think of taking his own life?

12 April 2021 ArabicAudio Track

Why an Arab Australian chose atheism: 'I don't have to believe in God to be a good human'

12 April 2021 ArabicAudio Track

'I've been Egyptian all my life': Why this man left Australia 13 years after migrating here

12 April 2021 ArabicAudio Track

The 'Afro-influencers' breaking down barriers in Italy

07 April 2021 News

What are the obstacles to standardise/unify the Kurdish language?

06 April 2021 KurdishAudio Track

Our Story Podcast – Leah Cameron, driven by a philosophy of doing law differently

05 April 2021 NITV RadioAudio Track

Would you ever change your name?

03 April 2021 ArabicAudio Track

Trans woman Marci is an open book. She wants you to hear her story

31 March 2021 News

Anti-Asian sentiment in Australia: “A joke isn't funny when you’re the punchline”

31 March 2021 Insight

'Is this patriot enough?': Asian-American veteran reveals scars

29 March 2021 News

Our Story Podcast - Kutcha Edwards, survivor gifted with a voice and will-power to inspire

24 March 2021 NITV RadioAudio Track

Why I'm not interested in being an 'Aesthetically Pleasing Asian Girl'

24 March 2021 Culture

How overcoming emasculating Asian stereotypes led to good sex

24 March 2021 Chinese Dating with the Parents

'Without language humanity loses its value': S B Sorekli

23 March 2021 KurdishAudio Track

How political and economic challenges affected Kurdish language development

21 March 2021 KurdishAudio Track

Lagau Danalaig - An Island Life

19 March 2021 Lagau Danalaig - An Island Life