Indigenous Knowledge Institute
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute aims to advance research and education in Indigenous knowledge systems.
Following a commitment made by Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell at the Garma Festival in August 2019, the institute was launched at the 19th Symposium on Indigenous Music and Dance on 3 December 2020, led by the Research Unit for Indigenous Arts and Cultures at the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development.
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute is one of five current Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes. These institutes aim to promote research linkages and collaboration across the University and to play a lead role in articulating University research to external audiences.
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute will build on the research and education activities already underway at the University, to become a global leader in Indigenous knowledge research and education. The Institute will also build on the work of the Indigenous Hallmark Research Initiative which ceased operation in 2019.
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute aims to advance research and education in Indigenous knowledge systems.
Following a commitment made by Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell at the Garma Festival in August 2019, the institute was launched at the 19th Symposium on Indigenous Music and Dance on 3 December 2020 led by the Research Unit for Indigenous Arts and Cultures at the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development.
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute is one of five current Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes. These institutes aim to promote research linkages and collaboration across the University and to play a lead role in articulating University research to external audiences.
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute will build on the research and education activities already underway at the University, to become a global leader in Indigenous knowledge research and education. The Institute will also build on the work of the Indigenous Hallmark Research Initiative which ceased operation in 2019.
Banner image: Ancestral Memory artwork by Maree Clarke. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
News and media
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Congratulating Associate-Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher on receiving a prestigious ARC grant
Congratulations to the Indigenous Knowledge Institute Director of Research Capability, Associate-Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher and his team on receiving a prestigious ARC grant under the Discovery Indigenous Scheme. This is a remarkable achievement and well done to everyone involved. Summary of the project funded follow.
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Library guide launches to support Indigenous knowledge research
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute and the University Library Team in Student and Scholarly Services are pleased to launch the Indigenous Knowledges Research Library Guide. The guide provides an introduction to Indigenous knowledge research covering topics such as ethical engagement with Indigenous communities, how to handle Indigenous research data, and how to cite Indigenous knowledge holders in research.
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Institute Manager speaks to ABC about importance of cultural burning
Institute Manager, Aurora Milroy, recently joined the Drum to discuss the 2019-2020 bushfire season and recovery efforts in Australia. When asked about what people could learn from Indigenous people when it comes to bushfire management, Aurora spoke on the role of cultural burning in bushfire prevention:
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Associate Provost and Institute Director speak on the panel Objects, archives and their stories: unsettling colonial certainties
Recently the Institute Director Professor Aaron Corn and Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton spoke on the panel Objects, archives and their stories: unsettling colonial certainties at the Anthropology and Geography: Dialogues Past, Present and Future Online Conference.
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Congratulating Professor Barry Judd, Dr Juliana Prpic, Professor Marcia Langton AO and their research teams on receiving a highly competitive ARC grants for Australian Society, History and Culture
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute congratulates the University of Melbourne's Professor Barry Judd (Director, Australian Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Arts), Dr Juliana Prpic (Indigenous Engineering Education Specialist) and Professor Marcia Langton AO (Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies and Associate Provost) on receiving a highly competitive ARC grants under the Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture 2020 scheme. This is an extraordinary achievement that attests to the outstanding calibre of their research teams and Indigenous partners. Well done to everyone involved. Summaries of the projects funded follow.
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Director of Research Capability joins the Indigenous Knowledge Institute
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute welcomes Associate-Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher as Director of Research Capability. Michael is a Wiradjuri man and currently the Assistant Dean (Indigenous) in the Faculty of Science and an academic with the School of Geography at the University of Melbourne.
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Flames of Opportunity Event - The Hugh Williamson Lecture
On Thursday, 29 October 2020, join us online for the annual Hugh Williamson Lecture, presented by Science Gallery Melbourne in collaboration with Indigenous Knowledge Institute
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Seed funding opportunity
Up to $20,000 available per project for University of Melbourne researchers to seed Indigenous knowledge research.
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EOI open for PhDs in Indigenous knowledge topics
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute at the University of Melbourne is seeking expressions of interest from Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars who wish to undertake a PhD on a topic related to Indigenous knowledges.
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Bruce Pascoe appointed Enterprise Professor in Indigenous Agriculture
Indigenous author and advocate Bruce Pascoe has joined the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences as Enterprise Professor in Indigenous Agriculture. The role has been designed to build knowledge and understanding of Indigenous agriculture and to grow engagement and research activities in this area.
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University appoints inaugural Director of Indigenous Knowledge Institute
Experienced educator and leading scholar of Indigenous music Professor Aaron Corn has been appointed the inaugural Director of the University of Melbourne’s new Indigenous Knowledge Institute for world-leading research and partnerships concerning Indigenous knowledge.
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Applications open for Indigenous Community Fellowships
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute in partnership with the Melbourne Social Equity Institute is offering up to two fellowships for Indigenous applicants working at community organisations and looking to undertake a small research project with academic training and mentorship from the University of Melbourne.
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Associate Provost and Institute Manager speak to ABC about cultural heritage protections and repatriation
Professor Marcia Langton AO, Associate Provost, and Aurora Milroy, Institute Manager at the Indigenous Knowledge Institute appeared on ABC TV's The Drum in June to discuss cultural heritage protections and repatriation.
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Library launches introduction to Indigenous knowledge research
Learn more about undertaking Indigenous knowledge research via the Library's 23 Research Things.
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Indigenous leadership: Interview with the Institute Manager
Last week Péta Phelan, Alumni Development Manager at the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health sat down with the Indigenous Knowledge Institute’s Manager, Aurora Milroy.
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Acknowledging Country in the digital realm
As University of Melbourne students and staff continue to work from home all over the country, and in fact the world, acknowledging the traditional owners upon whose land we live, work and play is more important than ever. But how do we acknowledge Country in the digital realm?
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Indigenous knowledge and culture at the University of Melbourne
Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Shaun Ewen and Associate Dean (Indigenous) Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Professor Sandra Eades reflect on their experiences at the University.
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Royal Commission submission calls for investment in cultural burning
A group of researchers from the University of Melbourne recently took the opportunity to call for greater investment in Indigenous land management and cultural burning practices.
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Indigenous astronomy podcast
After moving from the US to study in Australia, astrophysicist Associate Professor Duane Hamacher now works to increase Indigenous representation in the astronomical and space sciences.
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The unique value of Indigenous knowledge
A university’s core role is knowledge creation, but Australian universities are still missing out on genuine two-way learning with local Indigenous knowledge.
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University launches new Indigenous Knowledge Institute
The University of Melbourne has announced that it will invest at least $6 million to launch an Indigenous Knowledge Institute for world-leading Aboriginal knowledge, research and education.
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Signature Projects
Resources
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What is Indigenous knowledge?
Indigenous knowledge, sometimes called traditional or local knowledge, refers to the understandings and practices developed by Indigenous peoples through thousands of years of experience. Indigenous knowledge systems are characteristically holistic, relational, and rooted in a strong and continuing connection with the land, sky and waters. Knowledge is often passed down orally, and can be collectively owned. It can include or be embodied in language, song, story, ritual, lore, and customary practices.
The knowledge of Indigenous peoples does not represent a static body of traditional information, and the capacity to incorporate new tools and skills has always been fundamental to the dynamism of Indigenous cultures.
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Indigenous Research and Education at the University
The University of Melbourne has a strong foundation in education and research that elevate Indigenous knowledge systems within the academy. The Indigenous Knowledge Institute will build on this foundation to foster partnerships and develop our Indigenous research profile across the University and beyond.
Learn more about some of the University’s Indigenous research initiatives and flagship Indigenous programs:
- Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity
- Cultural Commons
- Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership
- Indigenous Data Network
- Indigenous Epidemiology and Health Unit
- Indigenous Settler Relations Collaboration
- Indigenous Studies Unit
- Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education Network
- MURRA Indigenous Business Program
- Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Wellbeing
- Poche Leadership Fellows Program
- Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research
- Research Unit for Indigenous Arts and Cultures (RUIAC)
- Research Unit in Indigenous Language (RUIL)
- Reconciliation at the University of Melbourne
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Research Ethics
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute is committed to collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders that are guided by core principles to ensure ethical, respectful and responsible relationships are developed and honoured.
The Institute’s Charter for Research with Indigenous Knowledge Holders gives expression to these principles and their application.
The institute is also guided by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies' Guidelines for Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.