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A whole-of-university approach to inclusive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education

Griffith University is committed to creating a curriculum that is informed by and respects the knowledge systems of our First Peoples—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. We also have the second largest number of Indigenous Australian academic staff in the country, with 17 academics involved in teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and knowledge across a range of disciplines.

Griffith University acknowledges the unique scholarship that First Nations peoples bring to higher education. We also encourage cultural collaboration with elders and local communities in the development of programs and policies pertinent to teaching, student support, research and engagement.

Our goals

Our aims for this initiative are three fold:

Curriculum

To have a culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curriculum, which is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, knowledge and perspectives, and to support its sensitive implementation in degree programs.

Learning and teaching strategies

To have culturally sensitive learning and teaching strategies, and train, develop and support academic staff in these strategies.

Research

To have culturally appropriate protocols and curriculum to encourage and support the conduct of research related to, or involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island communities, staff and students.

University courses offered

The Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, and the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art with Honours (QCA-1187 and QCA-2061) are programs that focus fully on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course content.

The named courses below satisfy the requirements to qualify as those that focus fully on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course content.

Trimester 1 2017

Source: Course Outline system

In Semester 1 2016, in addition to the above, 184 of the courses offered included some element specific to Indigenous perspectives.  These courses were offered by 20 elements, and the elements which offered 10 or more courses were Education (46), Humanities (28), Human Services (20), Nursing (18), Criminology (13), and Law (12).

Course name Course code
First Australians and Social Justice

2032HSV

First Peoples

1088LHS

Reconstructing the Aboriginal Australian

3034LHS

Indigenous Australian Peoples and the Law

5066LAW

Indigenous Health

3121PBH

Dreamtime and Machine Time

1904QCA

Origins Project I

1912QCA

Australian Indigenous Art and Culture (First Contact)

2914QCA

World Indigenous Knowledges

1599EDN

Trimester 2 2017

Source: Course Outline system

In Semester 2 2016, in addition to the above, 229 of the courses offered included some element specific to Indigenous perspectives. The courses were offered by 25 elements, and the elements which offered 10 or more courses were Education (64), Nursing (34), Humanities (28) and Human Services (25).

Course name Course code
Studies of Indigenous Australia

3030EDN

Contemporary Aboriginal Issues

3053LHS

Indigenous Art, Protocols and Practice

1213QCA

Contemporary Australian Art and Issues

1906QCA

Origins Project I

1912QCA

Origins Project II

1913QCA

Traditional and Contemporary Ritual

1914QCA

Indigenous Critique

2909QCA

Identity Project II

2911QCA

Visions for Tomorrow Stage II

3904QCA

Individual Exhibition Project

3909QCA

Engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Business Communities

3100AFE

Trimester 3

Source: Course Outline system

Course name Course code
First Australians and Social Justice

2032HSV

Engagement and student support

At Griffith, we embrace a “grow our own” strategy, engaging and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students while still at school and helping them succeed at university and beyond. Our programs, partnerships and resources include:

AIME

AIME stands for Australian Indigenous Mentor Experience. It’s a dynamic, educational program that supports Indigenous students through high school, giving them skills, opportunities and confidence to succeed and transition to university, further education or employment at the same rate as all Australian students. AIME has been running at Griffith University since January 2015, helping Indigenous students from Ipswich, Brisbane and Gold Coast high schools.

GUMURRII Student Support Unit

GUMURRII is our dedicated support unit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The Unit assists with recruitment and orientation, and provides ongoing support through to graduation and beyond.

Indigenous Research Unit

The establishment of the Indigenous Research Unit (IRU) was a key milestone in Griffith University’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research strategy. The University supports research development through investing in research capacity development, establishing initiatives to attract post-doctoral researchers and implementing innovative strategies to support higher degree research students. The IRU supports quality research that is driven by the needs of the community. Research projects are developed and undertaken in collaboration with communities, researchers and organisations. The IRU aims to further the aspirations of communities while providing a supportive environment for rigorous research.

First Peoples Health Unit

Griffith’s First Peoples Health Unit is committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success towards a more highly skilled, highly educated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. The Unit aims to lead the education and training of Griffith health graduates, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to improving the health outcomes of First Peoples.

Online teaching resources

Indigenous education statement

Each year Griffith University provides the Federal Government with an Indigenous Education Statement, outlining outcomes and future plans to meet ongoing responsibilities regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student achievement in higher education. You can download our most recent and previous Indigenous Education Statements below: