Wominjeka/Welcome
The University of Melbourne acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which it operates. The University has campuses and facilities on the lands of the Kulin peoples, which includes the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung Wathaurong, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, as well as the Yorta Yorta nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, both past and present.
The University has a strong commitment to supporting Indigenous development in Australia and to helping address the disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australians in health, employment and education, and this is reinforced and supported through its Reconciliation Action Plan.
The University is actively seeking to increase the engagement with and impact of its research in Indigenous studies, enhanced by close working relationships with Indigenous communities, and to nurture, recruit and retain Indigenous researchers to build a stronger Indigenous research cohort both within and beyond the University. Expanding our understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting Indigenous peoples in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as embracing Indigenous knowledges, and exploring these issues in the broadest sense via multidisciplinary collaboration, we look to improve knowledge and understanding for the benefit of Indigenous communities and Australian society as a whole.
The University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Research Initiative site is designed to provide information on Indigenous research conducted at the University of Melbourne to prospective and current indigenous researchers, and to connect to a strong Indigenous research community. The University of Melbourne thus extends a warm welcome to all Indigenous peoples, researchers and others interested in Indigenous studies.
Professor Shaun Ewen, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous)
Professor Julie McLeod, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Capability)
Co-Chairs
- Professor Shaun Ewen, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) and Foundation Director of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
- Professor Julie McLeod, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Capability) and Professor in Curriculum, Equity and Social Change at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Committee members
- Professor Marcia Langton AM, Associate Provost, Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies and Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor
- Professor Elizabeth McKinley ONZM, Professor of Indigenous Education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education
- Associate Professor Rachel Nordlinger, Director of the Research Unit for Indigenous Language
- Dr Michael-Shawn Fletcher, School of Geography
- Dr Sana Nakata, ARC Discovery Indigenous Researcher, Lecturer in Political Science, School of Social And Political Sciences
- Dr Nikki Moodie, Lecturer in Indigenous Studies, School of Social And Political Sciences
- Mr Warwick Padgham, Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
- Indigenous Graduate Students Association representative
Academic Convenor
- Tina Takagaki, Chancellery (Research & Enterprise).
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Research Development
Find out what kinds of opportunities the University offers for Indigenous graduate research students and established academics.
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Supporting you
Learn more about the support options available at the University, including networks and services on campus.
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Scholarships and Grants
Grant and Project support for future academics, scholarships and awards for future students and various networks, associations and centres to guide and support you through your academic career.
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Seed Funding Scheme
This scheme supports interdisciplinary research projects in the field of Indigenous research, with the primary purpose of building capacity and supporting new and emerging areas of Indigenous research.
Do you have an idea for a research project?
The University has several entry pathways and research programs or projects for Indigenous researchers interested in conducting research, and non-Indigenous students interested in conducting Indigenous research.
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Academic Shepherds program
Academic Shepherds are senior researchers who volunteer to advise prospective Indigenous PhD students on the application process at the University of Melbourne. Shepherds provide support on developing your research proposal and advice on how to identify relevant prior research experience.
If you are considering a PhD at the University of Melbourne, visit 'Study' to find a course and learn about the application process.
Once you are ready to apply, select 'Yes' in the online application form if you would like the assistance of an Academic Shepherd to guide your application. The Academic Convenor will then contact you to discuss next steps.
If you are new to Melbourne or are just starting to think about a PhD, the Indigenous Research Initiative can help you find a supervisor and provide advice on how to develop a research proposal.
Email the Academic Convenor, at indigenous-research@unimelb.edu.au for more information or to discuss any aspect of the application process.
If you already have an idea for a research project related to an Indigenous issue, visit Find an Expert to start searching for a suitable supervisor for your project. You can also find out more about Indigenous research activities across the University through the Graduate research areas below.
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Graduate Research areas
- To browse our courses and research areas visit Study.
- To search for a supervisor and their research interests visit Find an Expert.
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PhD Familiarisation program
We host annual PhD Familiarisation Programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people considering a PhD.
These fully-funded, two to three day programs, introduce you to potential supervisors and guide you through the admissions process. They include workshops on research skills development and the opportunity to connect with some of Australia's most prominent Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers.
To express interest in future workshops, contact the staff below
The Allied Health Indigenous PhD Familiarisation Program
- For more information visit this page, or contact Warwick Padgham
The HASS Indigenous PhD Familiarisation Program
The Program aims to familiarise future Indigenous researchers with the University of Melbourne and the graduate research processes in ways that:
- Inspire future researchers to further explore their research project ideas.
- Inform future Indigenous PhD researchers of the opportunities and tailored support available for them at the University.
- Connect future Indigenous PhD researchers with academic mentors, other Indigenous students and support services across the University.
- Download the program flyer here. For more information contact Sophia Power
For general enquiries about the Indigenous Research Initiative please contact our Academic Convenor, at indigenous-research@unimelb.edu.au
Stay up to date with the latest indigenous research initiative news
Other University of Melbourne links and contacts
5-6 April 2018
Download the final program here
The Hallmark Indigenous Research Initiative showcased research from across the University of Melbourne addressing the theme of place-based research and Indigenous research partnerships. Academic teams - alongside the Indigenous organisations and communities who partner with us - presented projects that focus on building relationships and delivering tangible outcomes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Location: Melbourne Brain Centre
30 Royal Parade
Building #144 (also known as Kenneth Myer Buildling, Neuroscience, Dax)
Parkville, VIC 3052
Special guests
- Paul Briggs OAM - Executive Chairman, Kaiela Institute - Keynote Address "Time & Place"
- Bruce Pascoe - award-winning writer, editor and anthologist
- Djirri Djirri Dance Group - Mandy Nicholson and the Wurundjeri women and girls dance group at the Reception
A place-based research agenda prioritises innovative and locally-defined solutions to contemporary problems. In health, education, justice, linguistics and many other fields, attention to place enables the development of sustainable relationships based on reciprocity and collaboration.
Teams described research, or teaching and learning projects that include ongoing Indigenous partnerships and place-based engagement. Presentations focused on the relationship development that underpins research outcomes or translation, for example:
- Projects which respond to community needs and priorities, or which support community-driven research agenda
- Addressing the geographical contexts of research, such as relationships on Country, or place-based responses to governance or service delivery
- Partnerships which demonstrate continued development over time, including teaching and learning projects
Priority was given to presentations which included Indigenous collaborators, organisations or representatives, and with a substantial focus on relationship development and maintenance. The conference provided an innovative combination of presentations, roundtables, workshops, and PechaKucha.
All delegates were invited to attend a Reception on the evening of Thursday 5 April (day 1), showcasing the work of Indigenous students and artists at the University of Melbourne.
Information about presentation types that were accepted is available here.