The First Nations Researchers Collective at Flinders University provides a supportive, reciprocal network to share knowledge, foster collaboration, enhance opportunities and build capacity for emerging and established researchers. The Collective is open to all Flinders University researchers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, including Honours and HDR students.

The First Nations Researchers Collective was established in December 2021 after an iterative co-design process to inform a researcher mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers at Flinders. This consultation process revealed that rather than a traditional one-to-one mentoring program, the ideal solution was to develop an Indigenous-led, reciprocal program that can facilitate support for each other, sharing knowledge and building capacity.

The Collective will bring together Indigenous researchers to discuss specific research- and career-related issues. For its initial program, the First Nations Researchers Collective will officially meet four times during 2022 (March, May, August and October). Depending upon travel restrictions, researchers from rural and remote locations will be invited to join for an in-person session in August.

The Leaders of the Collective, who will plan and chair the sessions, are:

• Associate Professor Natalie Harkin (College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences)
• Associate Professor Karla Canuto (College of Medicine and Public Health)
• Ms Lorna Murakami-Gold (College of Medicine and Public Health)

The vision of the First Nations Researchers Collective is aligned with Flinders University’s Reconciliation Action Plan (Action 10). The Collective will also be reflected in, and linked to, the University’s Indigenous Research Strategy (currently in development).

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) is sponsoring this program. Teams from the Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement and Research Development and Support are aiding and supporting The First Nations Researchers Collective.

Associate Professor Simone Tur, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), is excited about the opportunity to embrace and expand the research strengths of the First Nations research community at Flinders University.

“The development of the First Nations Researchers Collective is an opportunity to build on and develop research by Aboriginal and Torres Strait staff and students at Flinders,” says Associate Professor Tur.

“The Collective is underpinned by Indigenous values and decolonising strategies to support both collective and individual research aspirations. This Collective supports the higher education national vision to develop an academic pipeline and Indigenous-led research benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The First Nations Researchers Collective is an inaugural initiative of the university supporting Indigenous advancement.”

For more information about this program, visit the webpage or email researchers.collective@flinders.edu.au.