New Indigenous Research Plan to guide work at UNSW

The plan builds on extensive consultation and the University’s commitment to embedding Indigenous perspectives and knowledges.

UNSW’s inaugural Indigenous Research Plan (IRP) will help guide the University’s future research with and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The plan was developed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Office led by Associate Professor Brett Biles over an 18-month consultation period.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research A/Prof. Brett Biles said the Indigenous Research Plan reflects UNSW’s commitment to recognising Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, values and methodologies as central to the University’s research and impact.

“This plan sets a clear direction for how we will strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research across UNSW communities. It reflects our commitment through the Progress for All strategy to undertake research that is grounded in integrity, respect, reciprocity and genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“Just as importantly, it reinforces our responsibility to create further opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led research to thrive and to ensure Indigenous knowledges are recognised, valued and embedded across our research communities.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Professor Leanne Holt said the IRP represents a significant step in strengthening how research is undertaken with and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at UNSW.

“This plan affirms our commitment to Indigenous self-determination in research and recognises that Indigenous knowledges, methodologies and ways of knowing are fundamental to innovative research excellence and societal impact.

“The Plan provides a framework that contributes to building respectful and reciprocal sustainable partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while supporting the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research leadership across the University. It positions UNSW to lead nationally and globally in Indigenous-led and Indigenous-engaged research that creates meaningful benefit for communities.”

The IRP draws on the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, which notes the need for cultural integrity, accountability, transparency and reciprocity in research that involves or affects Indigenous people.

The plan outlines seven Indigenous values that map to core Progress for All values: Country, Respect, Reciprocity, Responsibility, Relationality, Self-Determination and Intergenerational Continuity.

The IRP’s four relational domains will shape UNSW research with and by Indigenous peoples and communities:

• Domain 1: Indigenous Authority and Responsibility in Research
• Domain 2: Research in relationship with Indigenous communities
• Domain 3: Building on and growing the capacity and success of Indigenous researchers and HDR candidates at UNSW 
• Domain 4: Positioning UNSW as a Global Leader in Indigenous Reciprocal Knowledges Exchange and Societal Impact.

Inaugural Global Indigenous Reciprocal Knowledges Exchange seed grant recipients announced

In one of the first initiatives under the plan, UNSW has awarded seven inaugural Global Indigenous Reciprocal Knowledges Exchange seed grants. The grants align to the IRP’s Relational Domain 4 and will provide a total of $95,000 in 2026 to projects that support Indigenous-led initiatives.

The seed funding aims to:

• strengthen research and knowledge exchange across global Indigenous communities
• translate research into lasting social, environmental and cultural impacts for Indigenous communities worldwide, and 
• establish a global Indigenous knowledges exchange network and community of practice that connects universities and organisations committed to Indigenous inclusion.

Applications were open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, practitioners, knowledge holders and community-based researchers.

The 2026 recipients are:

Dr John Hunter, Medicine & Health, Scientia Fellow: Healing Country, Healing Community: A Latin America and Indigenous Australia Knowledges Exchange. 
Partner institution: Indigenous knowledge holders and community leaders from Latin America, with links in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico.

Associate Professor Katrina Thorpe, Nura Gili, DVC Indigenous: Indigenous Studies for Indigenous Futures. 
Partner institution: Cornell University, American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

Mr Warren Foster, Medicine & Health: Global Indigenous Knowledge Exchange for Cultural Health and Sovereignty. 
Partner institution: Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Mental Health and Wellness Hub Canada.

Dr Michelle Bishop, Arts, Design & Architecture, Scientia Fellow: Preferred futures for Indigenous education in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) across colonial borders. 
Partner institution: University of Alberta Faculty of Education, Canada.

Associate Professor Fabri Blacklock, Arts, Design & Architecture, Scientia Fellow: Co-Designing a 3C Rule Consent. Credit. Compensation® Workshop for Cultural IP integration in Design, Research and Commercial Agreements (3C4Cultural IP).
Partner institution: Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative® (CIPRI), University of Arts and Design Cluj-Napoca, Art and Design School, Romania.

Dr Samuel White, UNSW Canberra, Scientia Fellow: Security Songlines: Coastwatcher Knives and Indigenous Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange between Arnhem Land and Solomon Islands.
Partner institution: Yolŋu cultural authorities, Solomon Islands veterans and Tharwa Valley Forge.

Professor Kevin Lowe, Arts, Design & Architecture, Scientia Program alumnus: The Culturally Nourishing Schooling (CNS) Masterclass with international Indigenous education scholars.
Partner institution: University of Waikato, Aotearoa; University of Washington, USW.

Read the successful projects’ abstracts.

The grants will be offered again in 2027.

For further information please contact:
A/Prof Brett Biles
Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research
b.biles@unsw.edu.au

Top image: Detail from Between the land and water by Dennis Golding.