Indigenous researchers get $4.6m backing

THE Federal Government has dedicated $4.6 million for 11 new research projects through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Indigenous scheme, boosting training and projects by Indigenous researchers.

Investigating culturally-appropriate social technologies to improve connectedness and well-being among Indigenous Australians, examining the development of resilience and well-being of Indigenous youth, and researching culturally sensitive ways to teach Indigenous students are some of the important new research projects to be undertaken by Australia’s Indigenous researchers with new funding. 

Acting CEO of the ARC, Leanne Harvey, welcomed the announcement by Education and Training Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham, saying the Discovery Indigenous scheme was important as it developed and supported the research expertise of Indigenous Australian researchers.

Some of the research projects to be undertaken by the Discovery Indigenous researchers commencing in 2017 include:

University of Melbourne’s Dr Christopher Lawrence will use $473,000 to investigate culturally-appropriate social technologies to improve connectedness and wellbeing among Indigenous Australians.

Murdoch University professor Rhonda Marriott from will lead a $371,000 project to examine the development of resilience and wellbeing in Indigenous youth, to better understand the connections between age, cultural identity, resilience, wellbeing and risky behaviours. 

University of South Australia professor Lester Rigney will receive $337,000 to examine how teachers in mainstream middle school classrooms can teach young Indigenous Australians in a culturally sensitive way and improve attendance and learning outcomes.

This announcement of 11 Discovery Indigenous projects is part of the ARC Major Grants announcement totalling $416.6 million for 989 research projects. 

www.ministers.education.gov.au

 

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