The QUT Faculty of Indigenous Knowledges and Culture launched in 2024.
The faculty has been established as part of the QUT Connections strategy, which has a key priority of recognising and fostering Indigenous Australian excellence. QUT has clearly stated its commitment to Indigenous Australian education and research with the QUT Indigenous Research Strategy launched in 2022, the development of a QUT Indigenous Australian Portfolio, the award-winning Campus to Country strategy, and the QUT Indigenous Employment Strategy.
The recent establishment of the Faculty provides increased opportunity for all students from throughout Australia to study Indigenous Knowledges and Culture alongside all other specialty programs.
QUT aims to establish itself as the leader in Indigenous Australian higher education.
Our vision
Our vision is a faculty where Indigenous knowledges are taught and recognised alongside other knowledges at QUT. We will enact this through a partnership model with external stakeholders - particularly community organisations - to accelerate academic programs, pathways, professional development, and training and research, within a culturally respectful environment.
With the establishment of this new faculty, we aim to draw students and partners from throughout Australia to this hub and will have knowledge holders from throughout the community working with our academic staff.
Our leadership
The faculty leadership team will include the following:
- Professor Chelsea Watego, Executive Director of the Carumba Institute
- Robina Xavier, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Academic)
- Gene Moyle, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Programs and Partnerships)
- Executive Dean of the Faculty, to be announced shortly.
Study
The faculty will develop and offer courses focused on Indigenous Australian cultures, languages, history and contemporary issues. This educational focus provides all students, from undergraduates to career professionals, with a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
Programs to be offered will include pre-award pathways through to undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, alone and in collaboration with other programs at the university.
A suite of continuing professional education offerings will support the need for upskilling across the public and private sectors.
The faculty will be looking to enrol PhD and Master of Philosophy students, and will also offer a graduate certificate in 2026.
Current courses include:
| Unit | Course |
|---|---|
| KKB190 | Yatdjuligin - Cultural Safety in Indigenous Australian Context |
| KKB 191 | Am I black enough? |
| KKB 192 | Smash the Act |
| KKB 193 | Indigenous Knowledge: Research Ethics and Protocols |
| CIB103 | Indigenous Resistance, Revolutionaries and Rights |
| QUT002 | QUT You Walking on Country |
Announcement of further courses coming soon.
Research
The new faculty will lead research initiatives that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and ensure Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are recognised, respected and valued.
The Carumba Institute will work closely with the new Faculty. The Carumba Institute provides a world class Indigenous research and educational environment that foregrounds Indigenous sovereignty.
Research conducted with Indigenous sovereignty at the forefront can influence public policy, address social issues and contribute to more positive outcomes for Indigenous Australian communities.
Engage with us
The faculty will serve as a bridge between QUT and the wider Indigenous communities, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships such as collaborative research projects, combined community events, and consultation on curriculum content and general knowledge sharing.
By engaging with the Indigenous Australian community, QUT can ensure academic work and courses being offered are relevant and beneficial to those communities.
If you or your organisation would like to support the work of the new faculty, please get in touch. Now is the time to build genuine partnerships for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Support QUT in our goal to become innovative leaders in Indigenous research, education and community engagement at a local and national level.
Working together, we can increase the visibility of and recognition for Indigenous Australian excellence.
