Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education HDR study
The School of Education warmly welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students.
The school recognises the critical shortage of Indigenous Australian academics in education and is proactively playing a role in growing the Indigenous education academic workforce through research, training and development.
The School of Education has a growing cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education HDR students. Indigenous candidates will know they are part of a community of mob who are all studying in various fields of educational study.
The school has an academic program called the SoE DEADLY Community. DEADLY stands for ‘Deadly Education Academic Development Learning & Yarning’. The SoE DEADLY Community program specialises in advancing Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous methodologies and Strengths-Based Approaches to enriching Indigenous education. The program includes sessions facilitated by Associate Professor Marnee Shay and other Indigenous colleagues. These are designed to stimulate intellectual conversations and identify opportunities to incorporate Indigenous-based theories and methodologies into educational research.
The SoE DEADLY Community provides a culturally safe and nurturing space for mob to connect with peers and academic colleagues in the School of Education and support each other throughout their research journey.
If you are an Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander person with an undergraduate degree or higher, experience in educational settings and an interest in becoming an educational researcher, please contact the SoE DEADLY Community Director, Associate Professor Marnee Shay directly at m.shay@uq.edu.au
Hear from our SoE DEADLY Community Director, Associate Professor Marnee Shay
Associate Professor Marnee Shay is a Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Head of School in the School of Education at the University of Queensland. She is a proud Aboriginal woman whose maternal family is from the Ngen'giwumirri language group (Daly River, Northern Territory.) She was born in Brisbane and has strong connections to Indigenous communities in Southeast Queensland. Dr Shay is an experienced and qualified secondary teacher.
Click these links to learn more about Dr Shay’s vital research. Associate Professor Marnee Shay | UQ Experts Meet Dr Marnee Shay – The University of Queensland
Hear from our Alumni, Dr Ren Perkins
Ren Perkins is a Quandamooka man with connections to the Wakka Wakka Nation. He has recently had his PhD conferred from the University of Queensland. His research topic was Learning from the lived experiences of Indigenous teachers who have remained in the profession. Ren has worked in Indigenous education for over twenty years. His research interests include Indigenous education, Indigenous teachers, Indigenist research standpoint and the sociology of education.
Hear from our current Higher Degree Research students
Antoinette Cole
Antoinette Cole, a proud Torres Strait Islander descendant with maternal connections to Boigu and Erub (Darnley Island) in the Torres Strait. Currently a HDR candidate and Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, Antoinette has dedicated nearly 30 years to exemplary service within and beyond the Catholic education community. She is known for her unwavering integrity and formidable leadership.
Amy Thomson
Amy Thomson, a Mandandanji woman and Doctorate of Philosophy student enrolled in the School of Education at the University of Queensland. Amy was Chief Investigator in the Australian Government’s Diversity in STEM review: “Big mob STEM it up!” project and is an Associate Investigator in UQ’s ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. Amy’s PhD research is about how the principles of self-determination and co-design can influence the way English educators embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives in urban private schools.
FAQs
I am thinking of studying a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy, what are the first steps?
This is an exciting time to consider studying a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy with the School of Education. The university has several online resources that will allow you to understand better the steps involved in becoming a Higher Degree by Research Student such as enrolment processes, supervisors and topics, how to apply, and deadlines and timeframes.
You will need to put a supervision team in place even in the early stages of your application. You will need a principal supervisor and an associate supervisor. To be enrolled in the School of Education, your principal supervisor will need to be from the School of Education. If your topic requires expertise that isn’t available in the school, your second supervisor can be from any school within UQ.
Things to consider when finding a supervisor for you: content/topic expertise, methodological or theoretical expertise and a feeling like you could work well with the person. You will work closely with your supervision team for the duration of your study so making sure it’s a good fit is very important. You can search potential Education supervisor here: https://education.uq.edu.au/our-people and search supervisors from across UQ here: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts We encourage you to email academics directly to let them know you are interested in HDR study and to request a meeting.
Our dedicated Graduate School provides higher degree by research (HDR) students with every advantage to succeed, as they are your first point of call throughout your HDR journey. Their website provides valuable information and resources about graduate research at UQ, including assistance finding a supervisor, career development opportunities, and location and contact information for the Graduate School. Graduate research at The University of Queensland
Your journey into a Higher Degree by Research at UQ starts by clicking below. This website is an excellent resource for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island HDR applicants that will walk you through program eligibility, fees, scholarships, application dates, and tips for preparing to begin your research at UQ. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander HDR applicants
The School of Education prides itself on conducting research that seeks to challenge established borders and perspectives in Education. The website linked below is specifically designed for Higher Degrees by Research content at the School of Education. This is a useful tool for learning about our current HDR candidates and their projects. You can also read about our academic researchers and research themes within our school that make us who we are. Higher Degrees by Research - School of Education - University of Queensland
This valuable link will allow you to learn more about research at UQ, and dive into the specific requirements of our Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy programs. Find out about PhD, MPhil and Postgraduate Doctorate degrees at UQ, Australia.
What scholarships are available to me?
The university of Queensland is committed to providing financial support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students through their HDR journeys. This link will take you to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Scholarship page, a scholarship that may provide you up to $46,400 per annum. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Scholarships - Scholarships - The University of Queensland
This link outlines each of the further scholarships available to Higher Degree by Research students at UQ. Find a scholarship - Scholarships - The University of Queensland
What sort of experience in education is relevant?
There are many types of experience in education that may be of relevance when applying for a Higher Degree by Research with the School of Education. This link will outline what educational experiences may make you suitable, such as work experience, bachelor’s degrees and Graduate Certificates for a Higher Degree by Research. You will also find specific program eligibility criteria. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander HDR applicants
As a prospective applicant, if you have any action research, conducted in a school or on Country with mob, and have a report of this research, you are encouraged to include this in your application.
Specific entry requirements and important information to know before you apply for a PhD and MPhil can be found here: Before you apply for a research degree at UQ
If I don’t meet the PhD entry criteria but want to complete one, what are my options?
There are many ways in which HDR applicants can meet entry requirements - applicants are assessed holistically on a case-by-case basis; there is no specific formula, and this can differ from one discipline to the next. Applicants may be provided with alternative program offers depending on their qualifications and experience. Students who have applied for a PhD, but have been offered entry into a MPhil, may be able to transfer to a PhD at a later date based on the completion of key milestones. Further information on this topic can be found here: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander HDR applicants
Remember, the Graduate school is only a phone call, or email away if you have specific eligibility/application question. Contact the Graduate School - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Are there Indigenous supervisors available in the school to supervise and mentor me?
Yes! We have Indigenous academics with expertise in Indigenous education who may be available to supervise your project.
Associate Professor Marnee Shay is currently available for supervision and mentorship.
Associate Professor Marnee Shay is a Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Head of School in the School of Education at the University of Queensland. She is a proud Aboriginal woman whose maternal family is from the Ngen'giwumirri language group (Daly River, Northern Territory.) She was born in Brisbane and has strong connections to Indigenous communities in Southeast Queensland. Click this link to learn more about Dr Shay’s research. Associate Professor Marnee Shay | UQ Experts
Dr Danielle Armour is currently available for supervision and mentorship.
Dr Danielle Armour is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Queensland. She has cultural links to Kamilaroi Country in Northern NSW through her paternal Grandmother. Danielle’s research area is in Aboriginal education. Click this link to learn more about Dr Armour’s research. Dr Danielle Armour | UQ Experts
We also have non-indigenous supervisors with various expertise in educational studies who have completed cultural safety training and would welcome the opportunity to supervise your project. For more information, please contact A/Prof Shay m.shay@uq.edu.au