Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership

The Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership (GC-IRL) is an interdisciplinary coursework program offered as a week-long on-campus intensive Winter School in July (11-17 July). It builds on the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research course (GC-IRPRO), successful completion of which is a prerequisite for this Course.

It is expected that participants will be near completion of, or have recently completed, their Research Higher Degree and that they are now in a position to develop leadership skills and capacity in, or involving, research. The curriculum is underpinned by Indigenous perspectives. Assessment includes an individual research project tailored to the participant’s work context and career. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership (GC-IRL).

To provide a supportive cohort experience, and a culturally appropriate learning environment, with opportunities to develop high-level professional skills and aptitudes, for students aspiring to become leaders in Indigenous research.

To facilitate the establishment and strengthening of professional and/or academic networks.

To build leadership capacity in areas such as supervision, publication, grants, and project management, especially in relation to the mentoring of Indigenous students and early career researchers.

To enable potential leaders in Indigenous research to:

• tackle complex issues in Indigenous research and resolve them by applying a sophisticated awareness of Indigenous perspectives;
• develop the capacity to influence the ethical conducting of Indigenous research;
• develop the ability to influence both Indigenous research policy, and the application of research in policy contexts beyond universities;
• demonstrate high-level competence in professional presentation of research, both verbally and in writing;
• undertake a research project directly relevant to the student’s professional or academic context.

The GC-IRL is a 50-point award comprising:

MULT90022 Indigenous Research (a 25-point compulsory subject) which students complete in the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research (GC-IRPRO), and receive credit for in the GC-IRL
AND
MULT90024 Indigenous Research and Leadership

The Selection Committee will evaluate all applicants’ ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria:

• Completion of the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research Training and Practices, and
• Demonstrable progress in, or near completion of a Research Higher Degree course at Masters level or above (for example, being close to thesis submission);

OR

• Recent completion of a Research Higher Degree course at Masters level or above (A Research Higher Degree is defined as requiring at least two-thirds research work), and
• Written endorsement from the applicant’s principal research project supervisor and the relevant head(s) of department or equivalent, including verification of the candidate’s progress or completion.

The Selection Committee will allocate at least three quarters of the available places to applicants from any discipline who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and who fulfil the preceding academic criteria. Confirmation of Indigenous status may be sought for such applicants.

The Selection Committee may allocate up to one quarter of the available places to academically qualified applicants not of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, whose research is on Indigenous topics.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership (GC-IRL) further develops the graduate attributes as described for the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research (GC-IRPRO), with a strong emphasis on leadership in the further development and application of those qualities and attributes.

Graduates will be expected to:

• have a sophisticated awareness of and respect for Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
• contribute constructively to change in communities, professions and workplaces, including academic
• have excellent interpersonal, collaborative and decision-making skills
• be able to mentor future generations of Indigenous scholars and researchers
• draw on research to contribute to public policy discourse, with a profound awareness of Indigenous community needs
• be able to utilise research in order to fulfil social, civic and community responsibilities and problem-solving
• have a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics in relation to Indigenous research