Summer and Winter Research Projects
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit's Summer and Winter Research Programs provide Indigenous students with the opportunity to gain practical research experience, while working alongside some of UQ's leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics and researchers.
By participating in a research program, students will gain valuable academic and professional experience, develop analytical & critical thinking, and gain the chance to create networks with industry and academic contacts.
Research Scholars will receive a scholarship equivalent to $360 per week for the duration of the Summer or Winter Research project.
Participation is open to undergraduate, honours, or masters by coursework students, who have completed at least two years of study and are currently enrolled at the time of application.
Wakka Wakka Knowledges
Project overview: The Wakka Wakka Knowledge project aims to investigate historical records for the development of a personal archive for Professor Bunda who identifies as Wakka Wakka. The project requires an investigation of archival records within the Fryer Library and the State Library to ascertain Wakka Wakka Knowledge relating to the geography of country, culture, society and history within contemporary and traditional contexts.
Expected outcomes and deliverables: An engagement in the project will assist Professor Bunda in developing a personal archive and it is expected that the scholar assisting will develop skills in data collection. It is expected that the investigation will produce a final document of materials collected at the end of the project.
Questions can be directed to Academic Director - ATSIS
Project duration and delivery: Duration of the project: 6 weeks during Summer Vacation. Hours of engagement: 20hrs per week COVID-19 considerations: remote working arrangements are suitable for this project when working directly with Professor Bunda. On-site attendance will be required for accessing archival collections.
Suitability:This project is open to applicants interested in Aboriginal Studies and are in the final years of study. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
Primary Supervisor: Professor Tracey Bunda
Indigenous Women - Stage 2
Project overview: Indigenous Women Stage 1 undertook a literature review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s creative and scholarly writing about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Stag 2 of the project will expand upon the literature review produced in Stage 1.
The literature review will contribute to a future book proposed by Professor Bunda on indigenous Women’s Wisdoms.
Expected outcomes and deliverables: The scholar assisting in the project will gain skills in research. At the completion of the project the scholar will have completed an expanded literature review building on what had been developed in Stage 1. Please highlight what applicants can expect to gain/learn from participating in the project, and what they will be expected to complete as a part of the project.
For further information please contact Professor Bunda at Academic Director - ATSIS
Project duration and delivery:
Duration of the project: 6 weeks during Summer Vacation.
Hours of engagement:20 hrs per week
COVID-19 considerations: The project can be completed under a remote working arrangements.
Suitability: Applicants who are in their final years of study and who are interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies would be interested in this project. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are strongly encouraged to apply. .
Primary Supervisor: Professor Tracey Bunda, Academic Director
Incorporating Indigenous Culture in International and Professional Sporting Contexts
Project overview:
Background: In 2020, prior to the Wallabies versus Pumas international rugby game in Sydney, Olivia Fox, a local singer from the Newton Performing Arts School performed two renditions of Australia’s national anthem, Advance Australia Fair; firstly, in the language of the Aboriginal Eora Nation; and secondly in English. The inclusion of the Indigenous rendition was roundly applauded and follows a long history of incorporating Indigenous culture in international and professional sport settings, including when (now) Dame Hinewehi Mohi performed New Zealand’s national anthem (God of Nations), without permission from the New Zealand Rugby Union, in both te reo Māori and English at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Other examples include, most notably, the performance of Te Rauparaha’s haka, Ka Mate, prior to All Blacks’ games; a practice that began with the 1888-9 Native Rugby Tour of Australia and Britain. Whilst not uncontroversial, the increasing incorporation of Indigenous culture in sporting events is viewed by most as a demonstration of respect to the local Indigenous’ peoples and cultures continued survivance. However, the other history of ‘inclusions’ of Indigenous sporting motifs, particularly in the US and Canada, reveals a deeply racist practice and examples of institutionalised racism, for example, the NFL Washington ‘Redskins’ naming and image controversy, which erupted again in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. Aim: To conduct a literature and media review of the incorporation of Indigenous culture within international and professional sporting contexts. The review will predominantly focus on ‘unsettler’ countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US. The student will, firstly, source and sought through academic literature, sports media analyses and historical accounts pertaining to the ‘positive’ incorporation of Indigenous culture within international and professional sporting contexts. Secondly, the review will include media reports and academic writings on forms of institutionalised racism of professional sports franchises such as the Washington Redskins, Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Eskimos. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: Scholars will gain skills in sourcing relevant academic literature and media analysis. By the end of the scholarship, the student will be able to structure a literature review, will gain skills in academic publishing, and will co-author at least one academic journal article with the Primary Supervisor.
For further information, please email: b.hokowhitu@uq.edu.au
Project duration and delivery:
Duration: 10 weeks
Hours of engagement: 20hrs per week
COVID-19 considerations: The project can be completed under a remote working arrangement.
Suitability: This project is open to applications from students with a background in critical Indigenous Studies and/or Sport Sociology..
Primary Supervisor: Professor Brendan Hokowhitu.
Literature Review and Summary
Project overview:
In this Research Project the student will work with Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Dr Abe Bradfield to produce a literature review and summary exploring a literature review of what is meant by Indigenous survivance, and thrivance. This project will use a relational
holistic approach examine intersections of educational, economic, health, legal, social, and cultural factors with regards to survivance, and thrivance.
Expected outcomes and deliverables: The overarching project will assist the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Indigenous Engagement team direct future work. There will be an opportunity for the student researcher to prepare a bibliography of writings, and to develop a set of readings on the topic of Indigenous survivance, and thrivance.
For further information, please contact Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) pvcie@uq.edu.au .
Project duration and delivery: .
Suitability: Applicants should have completed at least 2 years of a coursework program and be making satisfactory academic progress in their current program.
Primary Supervisor: Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement).
Literature Review focused on universities and Indigenous engagement
Project overview: Work on the literature review inclusive of scholarly works on and around the theme of universities and Indigenous engagement. This literature review will support the development of materials to support the Office of Indigenous Engagement’s core activities within the University of Queensland and within the community.
Expected outcomes and deliverables:
The literature review will be developed based on materials that explore the following:
- What is defined as engagement within the university sector? Who defines? Contexts?
- What is defined as Indigenous engagement within the university sector? Who defines? Contexts?
- What is not engagement within the university sector? (But often described as engagement).
- Who is it with? About? Where and when does it take place?
- Examples with students? Staff? Community members? Stakeholders?
- Indigenous specific examples?
- Where is it housed within universities?
- Is there specific training on engagement? How to engage? How do people know they are engaging? What it is? If they are doing a good job / implementing best practice based on definitions of what engagement is/ is not?
- How have broader engagement projects been developed in a range of universities, including the Go8 universities?
- Have there been specific Indigenous engagement projects in universities?
- Have there been specific engagement projects that have been for Indigenous students?
- Have there been specific engagement projects that have been linked to the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan projects or key Indigenous strategies in universities?
- What type of committee / management structures existed for the engagement projects?
- Are the engagement projects linked to broader university documents? (e.g. Strategic Plans, etc)
- Are the engagement projects linked to broader Indigenous focused documents? (community/ state/ territory/ federal gov)?
- How did the projects get developed? Are there any papers or documents published which critic their development and implementation within a university context?
- (Other questions/ themes may be added pending the initial findings).
Project duration and delivery: 6+ weeks.
Suitability:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in research experience, and with strong analytical and writing skills. Applicants should have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, identities and knowledges.
Applicants should have completed at least 2 years of a coursework program and be making satisfactory academic progress in their current program.
Primary Supervisor: Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement). For further information, please contact Professor Fredericks, pvcie@uq.edu.au Ph: 3346 0627.
Literature Review focused on universities and treaties
Project overview: Work on the literature review inclusive of scholarly works on and around the theme of universities and treaties in relation to Indigenous peoples. This literature will support the development of materials to support the Office of Indigenous Engagement’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) focused projects at the University of Queensland.
Expected outcomes and deliverables:
The literature review will be developed based on materials (mostly from Canada, the USA, and New Zealand) that explore the following:
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Project duration and delivery: 6+ weeks .
Suitability:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in research experience, and with strong analytical and writing skills. Applicants should have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, identities and knowledges.
Applicants should have completed at least 2 years of a coursework program and be making satisfactory academic progress in their current program.
Primary Supervisor: Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement). For further information, please contact Professor Fredericks, pvcie@uq.edu.au Ph: 3346 0627.
Literature Review focused on universities and Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP)
Project overview: Work on the literature review inclusive of scholarly works on and around the theme of universities and Reconciliation Action Plans. This literature review will support the development of materials to support the Office of Indigenous Engagement’s Reconciliation Action Plan focused projects at the University of Queensland.
Expected outcomes and deliverables:
The literature review will be developed based on materials that explore the following:
|
Project duration and delivery: 6+ weeks.
Suitability:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in research experience, and with strong analytical and writing skills. Applicants should have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, identities and knowledges.
Applicants should have completed at least 2 years of a coursework program and be making satisfactory academic progress in their current program.
Primary Supervisor: Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement). For further information, please contact Professor Fredericks, pvcie@uq.edu.au Ph: 3346 0627.
Key Dates
| Date | Action Item |
|---|---|
| 15 August, 2022 | Applications Open |
| 18 September, 2022 | Applications Close |
| 24 Oct-06 Nov | Applicants notified of outcome |
| 28 November, 2022 | Program commences |
| 17 February, 2023 | Program concludes |