About us
The Carumba Institute provides a world class Indigenous research and educational environment that foregrounds Indigenous sovereignty. We recognise the centrality of land to Indigenous Australian culture, identity, and spirituality; the significance of intellectual work that affirms Indigenous Australian rights to country and the criticality of Indigenous Australian knowledges to a sustainable future.
Meaning of 'Carumba'
Carumba means great/outstanding/significant in Yuggera language.
Our values
Pride
The Carumba Institute insists that Indigenous knowledges are living, embodied, excellent to real world change.
Power
The Carumba Institute recognises that Indigenous peoples and communities have long been powerful in their knowing – a knowing that is found in the hearts and homes of our people.
Justice
The Carumba Institute prioritises knowledge production, which is courageous in its pursuit of justice, grounded in truth telling, and of service to Indigenous and Black resistance struggles locally and globally.
Joy
The Carumba Institute embraces the full range of emotions found in the expression of Black Knowing, including the centrality of joy to Indigenous life worlds.
Belonging
The Carumba Institute extends the gift of belonging to community, Indigenously and intellectually.
Possibility
The Carumba Institute believes Indigenous knowledges provide unlimited opportunities for solving real world problems.
Our research
Carumba Institute research is grounded in innovative, Indigenous-led approaches that generate new knowledge and foster meaningful collaboration across disciplines.
This work is committed to creating lasting impact by strengthening communities and contributing to positive change at both local and global levels.
Research environment
- Indigenous-led research.
- Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher degree research students.
- University-wide contributions in research, teaching and engagement.
- Manage major research grants.
Research impact
- Community-driven transformative scholarship.
- Local, national and global Indigenous networks.
- Research collaborations.
Higher degree research student support
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in a higher degree research (HDR), we provide holistic support across your research journey, from enrolment through to completion.
This includes tailored academic guidance, mentorship, professional development opportunities, and access to scholarships and research funding, alongside a vibrant Indigenous-led research community.
Teaching and learning
Carumba Institute staff hold key roles in unit coordination and teaching across several undergraduate units, contributing to curriculum development, delivery, and student engagement. This work reflects Carumba’s strong commitment to Indigenous-led education and to fostering culturally safe learning environments across QUT.
Our team
The Carumba Institute brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and allied staff dedicated to advancing Indigenous sovereignty through research, education, and community engagement.
Grounded in respect for Country, culture, and community, our team fosters transformative learning environments, supports Indigenous student success, and champions the power of Indigenous knowledges to shape a more sustainable future.
Carumba Institute events
Discover upcoming events and community engagements, including the Black Knowing Seminar Series and the annual Meanjin Oration. Stay connected with our work and don’t miss an event by following our Humanitix page for the latest updates and registrations.
Meanjin Oration
The QUT Meanjin Oration is the university's premier annual address showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence, research and leadership. Hosted by the Carumba Institute, the oration creates a space for Indigenous‑led reflection, dialogue and storytelling for both community and the broader Australian public.
Our yarns
Stay up to date with the latest research, achievements, and stories emerging from the Carumba Institute with news highlighting Indigenous-led research, community partnerships, and the impactful work of our researchers, students, and collaborators. Explore how Carumba is advancing Indigenous knowledges and driving meaningful change across health, education, culture, and beyond.
