Griffith University

A Brief History by Dr Chris Matthews

The Indigenous Research Network is a new initiative at Griffith University, instigated by a group of Indigenous postgraduate students and academics. During 2008, the group met on numerous occasions to debate and discuss strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in postgraduate studies and academic positions. The group recognised (and experienced) the current trend within the higher education sector where strong support is given to Indigenous people during undergraduate studies, through student support centres like GUMURRII, but once students attempted postgraduate studies this support dramatically dropped. This lack of support often leaves students feeling isolated, struggling to deal with the University system, which invariably contributes to the poor retention rates of Indigenous people at postgraduate level. This is also the case for Indigenous academics, who are often the only Indigenous person in their Faculty, and often called upon to deal with anything Indigenous within the Faculty, unfairly increasing workloads. We tend to be dispersed throughout the University system on different campuses trying to deal with our daily professional lives with little support.

To address these issues, the group proposed the development of the Indigenous Research Network, which was subsequently approved by both Deputy Vice Chancellors late last year. The proposed aims of the Network are to:

• create an Indigenous Research Community that builds the research capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduates, postgraduates and academic staff;
• engage in interdisciplinary and inter-institute research, which promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island intellectual authority;
• promote quality research that remains viable to the ongoing cultural maintenance and integrity of Indigenous peoples; and
• develop mentoring programs for all Indigenous scholars and students who demonstrate excellence in their field of study.

What has happened to date?

The Network was officially established in January 2009 and I have the honour of being its co-ordinator for the first two years. The main task for this year is to establish the Network within the University system and develop comprehensive strategic and implementation plans. The Network has had one major achievement this year with the establishment of four postgraduate scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake either a Masters or a PhD. The first round of these scholarships will be offered in 2010. For undergraduate students, strategies are currently being developed to promote an educational/career pathway from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. These strategies will be developed in collaboration with GUMURRII and GISA.

Dr Chris Matthews