Postgraduate studies

One of our priorities within Aboriginal Business at the University of Tasmania is to inspire and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake and complete research degrees, and thereafter join the next generation of scholars across each of the academic disciplines. The Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Aboriginal Leadership, in collaboration with the Colleges and the Riawunna Centre, oversees and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDR applicants and students. This page provides an overview of the research and support programs (academic and financial) for future HDR students at the University of Tasmania.

Along with supporting our Higher degree by research candidates, the Office of the PVC - Aboriginal Leadership is committed to supporting Indigenous students undertaking higher degrees by coursework. We offer generous supplementary funding to eligible students to aid in the completion of their higher degree studies.

Our Aboriginal Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Program

At the University of Tasmania we encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake and complete HDR programs, both in topics directly pertaining to Indigenous people as well as in other research fields aligning with the strengths and interests of the applicant. We have a number of experienced and dedicated Aboriginal scholars for supervision, with a locus of expertise located within the Humanities, Education, Social Work and Social Sciences. In the coming years we anticipate having Aboriginal supervisors available in disciplines outside of traditional areas. Some of our HDR students have investigated the following subject areas:

• The Education of Tasmanian Aboriginal Children
• Aboriginal Philosophy and Community
• The missing years: The Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples 1803-1950
• Why do Australians reject treaty ?
• Visual History of Tasmanian Aborigines in Colonial Art
• Tasmanian Aboriginal women's connection to the marine environment
• (Re)voicing Dalrymple Briggs
• The impact of the Murina Program since 2017
• Othering within the education of the norm

Entrance into HDR customarily involves having first completed an Honors degree (at least second class upper standard with a Minimum Research Component), a Masters of Research Degree with a Minimum Research Component, or a Masters Degree (Coursework) or Graduate Diploma with a Minimum Research Component. However, professional experience may also satisfy the admission requirements for undertaking a Research Degree at the University of Tasmania, such as having worked as a research assistant. For more information please see the information provided at the following what is a research degree or contact the Office (see below).

HDR Workshop Series

We have multiple HDR workshops for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to undertake in addition to their regular HDR studies. While these workshops are optional, they are taught by some of the countries leading Indigenous academics and highly encouraged. These workshops have included:

• Research Presentation and Networking
• Indigenous Methods and Methodologies
• Writers Workshop
• Publishing during your HDR