Two new University of Queensland researchers will address the under-representation of Indigenous academics in the higher education field, working to close the education gap at universities across Australia.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s and have received National Teaching Fellowships from the Office for Learning and Teaching to continue their work in improving Indigenous representation in higher education.
Each fellowship comes with a $90,000 bursary to help further their studies.
Dr Barney’s fellowship, “Pathways to Postgraduate Study for Indigenous Australian Students: Enhancing the Transition to Research Higher Degrees”, will address the disproportionately low numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in post-graduate research degrees.
“While the number of Indigenous students participating in higher education has increased since the 1960s, Indigenous students are still grossly under-represented,” Dr Barney said.
“There is a need to build pathways and raise levels of aspiration and confidence of Indigenous students to undertake research degrees.”
Dr Bond’s fellowship, “Subject of Inquiry and Mode of Instruction: Indigenous bodies, Indigenous studies and cultural safety”, will focus on providing a safer working environment for Indigenous academics.
“This fellowship will focus on highlighting examples of effective methods of teaching Indigenous studies, in turn increasing the quality and quantity of Indigenous educators.”
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright said the fellowships recognised Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s commitment to improve Indigenous education opportunities for all students.
“Closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is a vital and ongoing commitment that strong leaders such as Dr Barney and Dr Bond are well set to achieve,” Professor Wright said.
MEDIA: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit academic director Jon Willis; 3365 6733 j.willis2@uq.edu.au.
