CQUni part of project developing network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers
Published on 08 November, 2012
CQUniversity will be part of a newly-funded Special Research Initiative for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers Network.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Chad Hewitt says that CQUniversity is not only a partner in the Network.
"Our Office of Indigenous Engagement is also one of the co-leads in the Health and Well-being Node," he said. "I congratulate Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and her colleagues at CQUniversity for this well-deserved outcome."
Administered through the Queensland University of Technology, under the leadership of Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson, the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network project has been awarded funding of $3,198,392 through the Australian Research Council.
Announcing the funding earlier this week, Tertiary Education Minister Senator Chris Evans said this new network will help develop much-needed connections between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers across the country - and at all career stages- to build Australia's research capacity, expertise and experience.
Professor Fredericks will be involved in the Network in her capacity as CQUniversity Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement.
She says the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN) is a multidisciplinary hub and spokes model network of Indigenous researchers at various stages of their career from over 24 collaborating universities and five partner organisations, along with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). CQUniversity is a collaborating university.
Prof Aileen Moreton-Robinson and Assoc Prof Maggie Walter
The partner organisations include the United Nations University; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation; the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples; and Ninti One Limited.
"The aim of the Network is to establish a coterie of skilled, qualified Indigenous researchers, creating pathways from undergraduate to postgraduate studies to establish a regenerative pipeline of new researchers, across institutions and fields of critical research importance," Prof Fredericks said.
She stated that "the network will provide a platform for new Indigenous multi-disciplinary research and the establishment of a critical mass of multi-disciplinary, qualified Indigenous researchers to meet the compelling research needs of Indigenous communities".
The Network will work to capacity-build and increase the number of Indigenous higher degree, early and mid-career researchers to develop new approaches to undertaking research and producing outcomes.
CQUniversity will not only have a role as a collaborating university; it will also have a role through Professor Bronwyn Fredericks in her co-leading one of NIRAKN's four Research Nodes.
Prof Pat Dudgeon and Prof Bronwyn Fredericks
The four Nodes include:
Indigenous Sociology led by Associate Professor Maggie Walter, University of Tasmania and Professor Steve Larkin, Charles Darwin University;
Indigenous Health led by Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, CQUniversity, Professor Kathleen Clapham, University of Wollongong and Professor Pat Dudgeon, University of Western Australia;
Indigenous Law led by Professor Larissa Behrendt, University of Technology, Sydney and Dr Asmi Woods, Australian National University; and the
Yuraki - History, Politics and Culture Node led by Professor John Maynard, the University of Newcastle and Associate Professor Jaki Troy, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
These Nodes reflect high Indigenous research priorities and are cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional in their operation.
"Professor Moreton-Robinson, QUT and Associate Professor Maggie Walter, University of Tasmania demonstrated incredible leadership in collectively drawing together five partner organisations, the AIATSIS and 24 universities in this successful Network application. I look forward to working with them, the other co-leads in the health Node and other researchers in the years ahead as we build research capacity and see real results," Professor Fredericks concluded.