Dr. Emmanuel Bunei, Research and Evaluation Fellow in Justice Reinvestment, recently participated in the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons Summer School 2025 at the University of Queensland. The event, held in early February, aimed to enhance digital skills, promote best practices in data management, and inspire new research within the humanities, arts, social sciences (HASS), and Indigenous studies.

“I’m grateful for the scholarship received from the event sponsor Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) as well as additional support from Flinders University to cover my travel costs,” says Dr Bunei, who is based in Katherine, NT.

Supported by an ARDC Travel Bursary of $1,000, Dr. Bunei engaged in interactive workshops covering Indigenous research methodologies, effective engagement with First Nations communities, Indigenous Data Governance, and digital research tools for Indigenous studies. The sessions provided valuable insights into ethical research practices and strengthened networks for future collaborations.

“The learnings from the Summer School will directly contribute to my work with the Katherine Justice Reinvestment Project in the Northern Territory,” says Dr Bunei. This initiative, funded by the Australian Government Department of Attorney General, seeks to reduce Aboriginal people’s involvement in the justice system while fostering broader social and economic well-being.