Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following pages may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
A whole-of-university approach to inclusive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education
Griffith University is committed to creating a curriculum that is informed by and respects the knowledge systems of our First Peoples—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. We also have the second largest number of Indigenous Australian academic staff in the country, with 17 academics involved in teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and knowledge across a range of disciplines.
Griffith University acknowledges the unique scholarship that First Nations peoples bring to higher education. We also encourage cultural collaboration with elders and local communities in the development of programs and policies pertinent to teaching, student support, research and engagement.
Our goals
Our aims for this initiative are three fold:
Curriculum
To have a culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curriculum, which is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, knowledge and perspectives, and to support its sensitive implementation in degree programs.
Learning and teaching strategies
To have culturally sensitive learning and teaching strategies, and train, develop and support academic staff in these strategies.
Research
To have culturally appropriate protocols and curriculum to encourage and support the conduct of research related to, or involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island communities, staff and students.
University courses offered
The Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, and the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art with Honours (QCA-1187 and QCA-2061) are programs that focus fully on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course content.
The named courses below satisfy the requirements to qualify as those that focus fully on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course content.
Trimester 1 2017
Source: Course Outline system
In Semester 1 2016, in addition to the above, 184 of the courses offered included some element specific to Indigenous perspectives. These courses were offered by 20 elements, and the elements which offered 10 or more courses were Education (46), Humanities (28), Human Services (20), Nursing (18), Criminology (13), and Law (12).
Course name | Course code |
---|---|
First Australians and Social Justice | |
First Peoples | |
Reconstructing the Aboriginal Australian | |
Indigenous Australian Peoples and the Law | |
Indigenous Health | |
Dreamtime and Machine Time | |
Origins Project I | |
Australian Indigenous Art and Culture (First Contact) | |
World Indigenous Knowledges |
Trimester 2 2017
Source: Course Outline system
In Semester 2 2016, in addition to the above, 229 of the courses offered included some element specific to Indigenous perspectives. The courses were offered by 25 elements, and the elements which offered 10 or more courses were Education (64), Nursing (34), Humanities (28) and Human Services (25).
Course name | Course code |
---|---|
Studies of Indigenous Australia | |
Contemporary Aboriginal Issues | |
Indigenous Art, Protocols and Practice | |
Contemporary Australian Art and Issues | |
Origins Project I | |
Origins Project II | |
Traditional and Contemporary Ritual | |
Indigenous Critique | |
Identity Project II | |
Visions for Tomorrow Stage II | |
Individual Exhibition Project | |
Engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Business Communities |
Trimester 3
Source: Course Outline system
Course name | Course code |
---|---|
First Australians and Social Justice |
Engagement and student support
At Griffith, we embrace a “grow our own” strategy, engaging and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students while still at school and helping them succeed at university and beyond. Our programs, partnerships and resources include:
AIME
AIME stands for Australian Indigenous Mentor Experience. It’s a dynamic, educational program that supports Indigenous students through high school, giving them skills, opportunities and confidence to succeed and transition to university, further education or employment at the same rate as all Australian students. AIME has been running at Griffith University since January 2015, helping Indigenous students from Ipswich, Brisbane and Gold Coast high schools.
GUMURRII Student Support Unit
GUMURRII is our dedicated support unit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The Unit assists with recruitment and orientation, and provides ongoing support through to graduation and beyond.
Indigenous Research Unit
The establishment of the Indigenous Research Unit (IRU) was a key milestone in Griffith University’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research strategy. The University supports research development through investing in research capacity development, establishing initiatives to attract post-doctoral researchers and implementing innovative strategies to support higher degree research students. The IRU supports quality research that is driven by the needs of the community. Research projects are developed and undertaken in collaboration with communities, researchers and organisations. The IRU aims to further the aspirations of communities while providing a supportive environment for rigorous research.
First Peoples Health Unit
Griffith’s First Peoples Health Unit is committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success towards a more highly skilled, highly educated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. The Unit aims to lead the education and training of Griffith health graduates, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to improving the health outcomes of First Peoples.
Online teaching resources
Indigenous education statement
- Griffith University's 2019 Indigenous Student Success Program Performance Report
- Griffith University's 2018 Indigenous Student Success Program Performance Report
- Griffith University's 2017 Indigenous Student Success Program Performance Report
- Griffith University's 2015 Indigenous Education Statement
- Griffith University's 2014 Indigenous Education Statement
- Griffith University's 2013 Indigenous Education Statement
- Griffith University's 2012 Indigenous Education Statement
- Griffith University's 2011 Indigenous Education Statement