Indigenous-led research centre opens at UQ

The first Indigenous-led Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence, based at The University of Queensland, will work toward better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The $43.3 million Indigenous Futures Centre (IFC) will conduct research projects across 3 main themes – education and economy, health and wellbeing and law and justice.

Centre Director Professor Brendan Hokowhitu said IFC sets a precedent in the way researchers work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. 

“Our Chief Investigators and Executive team are all Indigenous peoples, so our research is Indigenous-led and utilises Indigenous knowledges,” Professor Hokowhitu said.

“The centre also takes a community approach, collaborating with partner organisations and community participants at each stage of the research process.

“The goal is to listen and work with First Nations communities and partners to deliver outcomes focused on the 4 Priority Reforms of the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“Our research will work towards creating a self-determined future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and an end to systemic racism in Australia.”

IFC has a new Elder-in-Residence position as part of its leadership.

Gregory ‘Uncle Cheg’ Egert will guide the Research Committee, chair the Community and Partner Advisory board and work in community engagement.

“Instead of just researching on people, we are researching with people,” Uncle Cheg said.

“Our post-doc and PhD programs will also help to establish the next generation of Indigenous scholars, who can then help create a more equitable future.”

IFC Research Fellow Dr Janine Gertz is currently working directly in communities on political representation and self-governance strategies of Indigenous Nations.

The IFC received $35 million in funding from the Australian Research Council, and a further $8.3 million from university partners – The University of Melbourne, University of Technology Sydney, The University of Western Australia, Australian National University, University of the Sunshine Coast and Charles Darwin University.