Bringing together support for research quality, with the achievement of research outcomes in areas of societal need, is fundamental to our mission.
Within the University we will foster both Indigenous researchers and research into Indigenous issues.
The University of Adelaide provides a wide range of support for Indigenous researchers through targeted and networked support mechanisms.
The following links provide guidance to researchers on the complex considerations necessary in the conception, design and conduct of appropriate research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
University of Adelaide Research Integrity
NHMRC - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Ethics
AIATSIS Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies
The late Julia Nora Konig made a bequest of the residue of her estate to the University of Adelaide to be disbursed for the benefit of Australian Aborigines.
Eligibility: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking postgraduate studies on a full time basis by coursework or research towards the degrees of Master or Doctor of Philosophy shall be eligible to apply.
Value: The value of each award will be determined by the Graduate Scholarships Committee, taking into consideration available funding, financial need, and number of eligible applications. Applicants may receive an award in more than one calendar year, normally to a maximum of two years if he/she is enrolled in a Masters degree and up to four years if enrolled for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.Indigenous.
See the Applications Round page for Major Round application dates, and a link to the online application form.
These scholarships provide a living allowance equivalent to a Research Training Program Scholarship, a Research Training Program place and allowances such as relocation, thesis and sick/maternity leave.
The University currently offers two 'special circumstances scholarships', equivalent to a Research Training Program Scholarship, that are available to students who do not meet the normal scholarship criteria and whose prior academic performance may have been seriously disadvantaged as a result of exceptional circumstances such as a disability, sickness or heavy care duties. Applications from Indigenous Australians are encouraged.
To Apply: The awards are allocated as part of the Major Round of applications.
See the Applications Round page for Major Round application dates, and a link to the online application form.
Up to two postgraduate research scholarships will be offered annually for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled, or seeking to enroll, in a research higher degree at the University of Adelaide, have completed at least four years of tertiary education studies at a high level of achievement and hold as a minimum a good Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent). Students who are currently enrolled in higher degree by research and have not held a scholarship previously may also be considered.
To Apply: The awards are allocated as part of the Major Round of applications. See the Applications Round page for Major Round application dates, and a link to the online application form. If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Andrea Przygonski or Alison Birbeck.
The Taplin Indigenous Bursary for International Education is funded by a grant given by Emeritus Professor John Taplin a former University of Adelaide Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) with a strong commitment to the internationalisation of higher education.
The Donor is also motivated by the pioneering ethnographic and linguistic studies undertaken by his great-grandfather, the Reverend George Taplin, with the Ngarrindjeri people whose land encompasses the lower Murray River and Lakes region of South Australia, and his unremitting advocacy on their behalf in the early years following British colonisation of this State.
Applicants must be of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who regard themselves as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and who are so considered by the community in which they live or have lived.
The bursaries are open to both current Indigenous staff and students of the University of Adelaide and are available to assist with the expenses of international education and travel.
The recipients must use the bursary funds only for the following purposes:
Recipients must provide the University with a report outlining their experiences and how the bursary has assisted them after completion of their study program or conference.
Two bursaries per year will be awarded. The value of the bursaries is up to $5000 each subject to the recipients providing satisfactory documentary evidence of their costs.
Application: Please refer to Scholarships page
Wirltu Yarlu Research Seminar Series
Wirtlu Yarlu Research Seminar series showcases research undertaken by Aboriginal staff and students across the University. There have been 9 seminar series held since introduction in 2014 and these will continue into 2016. As an example.
'Being Kaurna in South Australia' - Dennis O'Brien.
12 - 1 pm, Thursday 8th October, 2015 - Ira Raymond Room.
Medium before meaning by Professor Aaron Corn (Director, Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music). Thursday 5 May, 12.00-1.00pm, Ira Raymond Room Barr-Smith Library.
Further information. RSVP by 4.00pm Monday 2 May to Carmel Jones.
Indigenous HDR Network
The network lead by Wirtlu Yarlu will to provide a foundational network for students and further researchers to get connected with other colleagues to grow experience, knowledge and confidence in their endeavours.
Wirltu Yarlu Master Classes
Wirltu Yarlu have developed research workshops and master classes to support HDR students in the University of Adelaide.
The first master class, Indigenous Knowledges: Decolonisation and Destinations was held 21 July 2015.
Wirltu Yarlu Master Classes will continue in 2016 for all University of Adelaide postgraduate students and supervisors.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy
The strategy aims to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the University of Adelaide through the offering of employment opportunities and cadetships, and sets a bold population parity target of 2% participation by 2023.
The strategy also promotes the retention and advancement of the University's current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff through scholarships and professional development opportunities and activities.
For further information about our strategy, click here or contact Ms Kelly Maxwell .
Wirtlu Yarlu provides further support with access to study facilities and support services.
Indigenous Research Committee
A key part of the Tarrkarri Tirrka (Future Learning) strategy was the establishment of an Indigenous Research Committee (IRC), which met during 2013-2014. The aim of the IRC was to develop a University-wide approach to increasing the number of Indigenous research students and researchers, and improving Indigenous-related research performance.
Following a considerable amount of work, the IRC developed a report to enhance Indigenous research and research training at the University, containing a series of detailed recommendations. Following endorsement by senior management, an implementation plan was created to build upon our existing Indigenous research capacity.
Some of the recommendations to come out of the IRC report include:
Indigenous Research register
A 'research map' of Indigenous research occurring across the University has been developed in conjunction with research pathways and supports.
Indigenous Staff HDR Completion Program
The University of Adelaide will introduce a scheme to provide existing professional and academic staff with the opportunity to buy-out 0.4 FTE of their full-time employment to work towards completing their PhD/Masters by Research.
The first round of applications are now open. Applications are to be submitted by 5.00pm, Thursday 8 June 2017.
Indigenous Staff HDR Completion - Application Form - 2017
Indigenous Staff HDR Completion - Programs Rules - 2017
Indigenous Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The University is seeking philanthropic funding to support the introduction of a new Indigenous Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. It is aimed at attracting top early-career researchers to the University, and giving Fellows the opportunity to gain momentum for a lifetime of solutions that will benefit their field and their communities.
Assist Indigenous HDR graduates to become research staff
Careers Services and the Indigenous Employment Project Officer have established employment workshops specifically aimed at the needs of Indigenous HDR graduates.
Research Tuesdays
To assist in promoting Indigenous research to the public, an annual lecture will be part of the University’s Research Tuesday’s program, held during Reconciliation week.
Our comprehensive research support framework and infrastructure makes available services, advice and tools to our researchers and research students, supporting their research, making it easier to navigate and comply with the regulatory and administrative aspects of research, as well as distribute, market and commercialise outcomes, and manage research data.
The Research Branch provides assistance with the Discovery Indigenous research scheme which supports research programs led by an Indigenous Australian researcher and build research capacity of higher degree research and early career researchers. For more information please click here.
Please visit the University's Research Branch page to access the wide range of research support services available to all University staff and students.
A major responsibility of the Research and Branch Librarian at the University of Adelaide is to liaise with academic staff, researchers and students to make the most effective use of library resources and services.
The Library provides lots of useful Indigenous resources and guides to them from art to health to archives.
Follow this link to access the University Library's Indigenous learning and teaching support page and further resources.
Just over three and a half years ago there had never been an Indigenous Australian studying for a full time degree at Oxford or Cambridge. During 2013 there were 14 Indigenous postgraduates studying in these leading universities.
There are Scholarships available for Indigenous Australians to study overseas at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. Funding is available for either a masters, a PhD program or executive development programs.
These Scholarships are available through either the Charlie Perkins or the Roberta Sykes Trusts.