New UQ research to benefit Indigenous Australians

University of Queensland researchers will help Indigenous businesses develop markets for native bushfoods and ornamental plants, nurture Indigenist Health Humanities as a new field of inquiry, and provide a framework for the new co-design approach being implemented across Indigenous policy domains.

UQ Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), Professor Bronwyn Fredericks has welcomed $7.1 million of new Commonwealth funding dedicated to improving prospects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including around $4 million for UQ projects.

“UQ has been granted three of the nine new research grants announced under the Federal Government’s ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme for 2021,” Professor Fredericks said.

UQ Adjunct Professor Dale Chapman will lead a $1.5 million research project working with traditional owners to investigate new technologies and applications for native Australian bush tucker, novel foods and ornamental plants for urban gardens.

The five-year project will also involve Professor Melissa Fitzgerald, Professor Susanne Schmidt, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Professor Kim Bryceson, Dr Robyn Cave, and Professor Helen Ross.

Associate Professor Chelsea Bond will lead a $1.7 million project to develop Indigenist Health Humanities as a new and innovative field of inquiry, building an intellectual collective capable of bridging the knowledge gap that hinders current efforts to close the gap in Indigenous health inequality.

This five-year project will also involve Dr Lisa Whop, Professor Mark Brough, Dr Bryan Mukandi, and Dr Alissa Macoun.

Dr Marnee Shay will lead a $750,000 project to provide an evidence base and framework for the new co-design approach being implemented across State and Commonwealth Indigenous policy domains.

The three-year project will also involve Associate Professor Grace Sarra and Professor Jo Lampert.

A full list of Discovery Indigenous 2021 grant recipients and projects is available via the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 3365 1130.