Faculty resources and initiatives

There are research hubs, programs and services similar to Murrup Barak across the University that you can access as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student.

While studying, you can be connected to a diverse network of students, academic and professional staff, researchers and community members who contribute to our dynamic environment. These networks may provide support for students, have a research capacity, run programs complementary to your degree or sometimes, an aspect of all of these.

You can read more about faculty support centres, programs and research hubs below. Please note that this not not an exhaustive list, certain schools and faculties may also provide similar resources to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Faculty support

The Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development is the central hub for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying Fine Arts and Music at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

Staff at the Wilin Centre work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to identify, recruit and support potential and practicing Indigenous artists to study and refine their academic and artistic skills at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne.

Situated at the heart of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, the Wilin Centre fosters innovation in the research, development, advocacy and presentation of Indigenous arts and cultural practice.

If you are interested in learning more about courses in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, the Wilin Centre can assist you with any enquiries. Please visit their website for contact details.

The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is a global leader in higher education offering Indigenous-led programs, building Indigenous health leadership capital, creating academic pathways for PhD and post-doctoral achievement and research impact.

Poche also runs two programs based on leadership and research which you can find more information about on their website. They also provide unique and tailored support from pre-application to post-doctoral fellowships for Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Programs

Dilin Duwa brings together the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Melbourne Business School together to support Indigenous business, acknowledging the important role of universities in partnering with the Indigenous business sector. Across three streams of work, engagement, programs and research, the team at Dilin Duwa aim to change, adapt and engage Indigenous-led networks founded in the educational process.

The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) is a life-changing fellowship for Indigenous social equity in Australia, Aotearoa and the Pacific region. Based at the University of Melbourne, the AFSE program represents a 20-year investment into Indigenous-led social change through a powerful network of Fellows.

It has two features:

  • an intensive foundation year with a postgraduate qualification at the University of Melbourne (fee-free)
  • lifelong membership in a global community of change-makers across seven international Atlantic Fellows hubs.

The Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE) uses participation in sport to undertake education and training within a trusted, culturally appropriate environment, particularly for Indigenous students. With a focus on individuals and their personal needs by providing personalised education and career planning, conducted with the support of GOTAFE.

Research Hubs

The Indigenous Law and Justice Hub works on law and justice issues impacting First Nations people, with particular focus on Criminal Justice and Treaty. The Hub is directed by Dr Eddie Cubillo (Larrakia, Wadjigan and Central Arrente), and its work is guided by an Advisory Group of leading First Nations advocates from Australia and overseas.

The Hub has had the privilege of working with major players in the Indigenous advocacy space, including the Victorian Treaty Assembly, the National Native Title Council and Health Justice Australia. They offer a range of elective subjects on Indigenous justice, and oversee a review to decolonise core curriculum.

Their hallmark event and podcast series, White Noise brings conversations on pressing social issues to the Melbourne Law School, led by black excellence, and participation in curriculum review work is helping to reshape the landscape of legal pedagogy at the school. You can keep up to date with news, events and opportunities via their Instagram.

The Indigenous Knowledge Institute aims to advance research and education in Indigenous knowledge systems.

Following a commitment made by Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell at the Garma Festival in August 2019, the institute was launched at the 19th Symposium on Indigenous Music and Dance on 3 December 2020, led by the Research Unit for Indigenous Arts and Cultures at the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development.

The Indigenous Knowledge Institute is one of five current Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes. These institutes aim to promote research linkages and collaboration across the University and to play a lead role in articulating University research to external audiences.