$9 million awarded under the ARC’s Discovery Indigenous scheme

Locating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander objects sent overseas more than a century ago and protecting the environment from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are just some of the research projects that will be undertaken by researchers awarded grants under the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Discovery Indigenous scheme.

ARC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, today announced funding of almost $9 million for 9 research projects through the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme.

“The ARC provides vital research support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and research students through the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme,” Ms Zielke said.

“Since its inception in 1996, this scheme has funded some remarkable and significant research for the social, economic and cultural benefit of the Australian community.”

The ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme supports research programs led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers and builds the research capacity of higher degree research students and early career researchers.

Awarded Discovery Indigenous grants include:

Dr Nicole Watson, University of Technology Sydney ($723,213): will produce the first in-depth study of Indigenous lawyers to create a better understanding of cultural safety in the legal profession.

Dr Sarah Bourke, Australian National University ($747,494): research outcomes will contextualise quantitative data – telling the stories behind the numbers using Indigenous voices – on Indigenous-determined pathways to living well in a city, addressing a major gap in current research and public policy development.

Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes, University of Melbourne ($1,943,920): research findings will inform improvements to university practices and policy with a view to creating new opportunities for Indigenous staff, students and future workers living with a disability.

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