Our Research

IERC research is built on longstanding partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, government, industry and international collaborators. These partnerships are central to how research is designed, governed and delivered.

Community partnerships include work with Torres Strait Islander organisations such as the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) and Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), as well as Aboriginal organisations including NAILSMA and Dhimurru. Engagement also extends to Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs) and Native Title groups.

Research is co-designed with partners, with communities guiding priorities, governance and outcomes. This includes collaborative research, training and the development of employment pathways linked to research activity.

The IERC works closely with local, state and federal government to contribute to evidence-based policy and program development. Partnerships with industry support the application of research in areas such as land and sea management, health and economic development, translating knowledge into practical and sustainable outcomes.

Internationally, the IERC engages across the Oceania and Asia-Pacific regions, supporting knowledge exchange and comparative Indigenous research in areas of shared priority, including climate change and community resilience.

IERC research creates impact across community, policy, practice and scholarship, with outcomes that are relevant, applied and sustained.

At the community level, co-designed research supports capability development and delivers locally relevant solutions aligned to community priorities, including work with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities.

At the policy level, research contributes to national and regional policy discussions, including input into debates such as the 2023 Voice Referendum and broader agendas around economic self-determination.

In practice, IERC research has led to the development of tools and frameworks, including research ethics tools and knowledge translation models that are adopted in training and professional contexts beyond the University.

Scholarly impact is reflected in contributions to global Indigenous research, including the development of new theoretical frameworks and high-impact publications.

The IERC is committed to developing Indigenous research capability and leadership across communities, organisations and the research sector.

For Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates and professionals seeking to extend their careers, the IERC offers a research environment grounded in Indigenous knowledge, community partnership and real-world impact. Candidates are supported to develop and lead their own research, from shaping a research question through to delivering a project that contributes new knowledge to their field.

Support is provided through experienced supervision, Indigenous-focused research intensives, and communities of practice that connect researchers, students and community partners. This approach strengthens research capability while maintaining strong links between research, community priorities and applied outcomes.

Research training extends beyond the University, supporting Indigenous participation in knowledge production and research leadership across communities and organisations. This contributes to a broader model where research, teaching and support are closely aligned.

Our advisors have expertise in a wide range of fields within and beyond Indigenous Studies. These include: Indigenous law, politics and policy; public health; social work and public health; Indigenous childhoods; Indigenous education and students, Indigenous curriculum and higher education; political theory, including comparative political theory, the cultural interface; communities of practice and knowledge translation.

For further research opportunities, contact the JCU Graduate Research School for research and funding opportunities, research advisors, and candidature enrolment and management.