Opportunities and resilience: Enablers to address barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to commence and complete higher degree research programs

Abstract

Although the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereaf­ter Indigenous) people completing undergraduate degrees has improved mark­edly in recent years, Indigenous people remain under-represented in higher degree research (HDR) programs, which limits progression into academic careers. This paper explores factors affecting Indigenous people’s commence­ment and completion of HDR programs. The research was undertaken at a large, multi-campus, metropolitan Australian university and involved a qualita­tive, culturally appropriate research design based on yarning circles and inter­views with Indigenous HDR candidates and interviews with HDR supervisors. The research was undertaken by Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers with advice provided by the Indigenous community at the university to ensure cultural safety. Highlighting the central role of supervisors and system-wide university support, the most significant finding of the research is that although additional research and university commitments can be barriers, other research/ work opportunities enable completion. The findings suggest that in addressing under-representation of Indigenous people in HDR and academia in Australia, universities need to provide strategic attention to how they engage, support and recognise achievements of Indigenous people in HDR while also being cognisant of individuals’ competing responsibilities.