Announcing 2023 PhD Bursary Recipients

The Indigenous Knowledge Institute is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2023 PhD bursaries.

The Institute is committed to developing the next generation of Indigenous researchers and each year offers $15,000 bursaries (paid over three years) to Indigenous PhD students writing on a topic related to Indigenous knowledge. This year, three bursaries were awarded.

The students — profiled below — are part of a strong cohort of Indigenous researchers at the University.

Tula Wynyard

Tula Wynyard is a Dharug woman who is researching Ritharrŋu-Wägilak, a Yolŋu language spoken in Arnhem Land.

“I am currently working with knowledge holders to record a range of stories and cultural knowledge to analyse the grammar and patterns of the language. Like many endangered Indigenous languages across the country, Ritharrŋu-Wägilak is severely under-documented. My project aims to not only contribute to the academic understanding of the language, but also to enrich the resources available for community-led language maintenance and revitalisation.

“I am very grateful to have received the IKI PhD bursary, as it will help with the day-to-day costs of living during my research, especially while staying in remote communities where groceries and services can be extremely expensive. This bursary will reduce the amount of paid work I need to take on in addition to my studies, so that I can focus my time and energy on the PhD project.”

Djarra Delaney

Djarra Delaney is a Quandamooka person from the Moreton Bay region of Southeast Queensland. His Country includes Minjerribah, Mulgumpin, and the surrounding land and sea Country of the bay.

Djarra is researching what measures Indigenous communities in Australia are currently using to adapt to climate change and what their aspirations are for future adaptation. This work will examine the intersectional issues of colonisation and climate change and offer a new Indigenous method for undertaking adaptation practice that centres Indigenous knowledges, spirituality, culture, and a right relationship with the environment.

“The bursary will assist me with further field work opportunities and data collection and provide additional funding to attend talks and conferences. The support of the bursary enables Indigenous students like me to meet the challenges of research with the confidence that they are supported by the institution.”

Warwick Padgham

Warwick Padgham is a Taungurung man and is investigating how health justice service programs in Indigenous community-controlled health organisations give effect to Indigenous self-determination.

“Within this project, I seek to explore how western and Indigenous theories can help understand self-determination and how that might be seen within a health justice program at an Indigenous community-controlled health organisation. Further to this, I will explore if community members who access these dual delivery services are seeing a benefit in using these services, which are in line with community calls for culturally responsive health and justice care, consistent with the aims of self-determination.”

Congratulations to all our bursary recipients.

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The next round of bursaries will open in 2024. Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, or check our website to stay up to date with the Institute’s work.