UTS increases promotion of Indigenous Higher Degree by Research

indigenous education, Indigenous Research Leave a comment

UTS currently has around 55 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and is fast becoming the university of choice for potential Indigenous HDR students. These were the themes explored at the UTS Indigenous Higher Degree Research information session, held on Saturday July 27th.

HDR interested Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, from multiple locations around the country, congregated at UTS on Saturday July 27th to learn about applying for study. Potential participants explored research topics, and met with potential UTS supervisors to apply for the September 30th deadline. UTS has been increasing the promotion of Indigenous Higher Degree by Research, since the appointment of Associate Professor Sandra Phillips in 2017, through dedicated and specialised engagement and relationship building with potential and current Indigenous HDR students.

Twelve interested Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, from multiple locations around the country, congregated inside the Tower building from 9.00am to 4.30pm to learn about research topics, the application process and methodologies and methods. One participant noted the boost in confidence and empowerment to apply when asked whether the information session helped in their decision to apply. Another participant spoke about the visiting staff members and her enthusiasm to join and collaborate on research:

“The generosity of participating staff really increased my incentive to work within the academy, enthusiasm to collaborate with other researchers in shaping my research, and made me enthusiastic about overcoming potential hardships in the long-term research process of HDR.”

UTS staff members and current HDR students volunteered their time to share their stories and assist with the application topics and potential supervision. Special thanks to Dr Alex Munt, Professor Susan Page, Professor Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews, Professor Heidi Norman, Professor Lori Lockyer, Angela Phillips, and Karen Wyld for their valued and generous assistance.

The Indigenous Higher Degree Research information session was initiated by Professor Michael McDaniel, and organised by the Coordinator of Indigenous HDR, Associate Professor Sandra Phillips. UTS has been increasing the promotion of Indigenous Higher Degree by Research, since the appointment of Associate Professor Sandra Phillips in 2017, through dedicated and specialised engagement and relationship building with potential and current Indigenous HDR students.

The potential participants from the Information Session are expected to apply for a HDR by September 30th, and have continued their contact and proposal planning with UTS staff since the day. If you know any other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples interested in studying Higher Degree Research at UTS, please forward them to Sandra Phillips on sandra.phillips@uts.edu.au.