Re-imagining the humanities through Indigenous creative arts, digital mapping of traditional practices for a sustainable future, and supporting the commercial development of Indigenous traditional medicines are amongst important new research projects that will be able to get underway with new Australian Government funding announced today.
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Council (ARC), Professor Sue Thomas, welcomed the approval by Minister for Education and Youth, Alan Tudge, of $8.4 million for 9 new research projects awarded through the ARC's Discovery Indigenous scheme for 2022.
Professor Thomas said the Discovery Indigenous scheme provides vital exclusive research support for the research of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and research students. Projects must be led by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander researcher.
"The researchers involved in the projects announced today will support excellent basic and applied research, as well as research training," said Professor Thomas.
"The outcomes of their research will provide economic, commercial, environmental, social and cultural benefits for Australia and the world."
Some of the research projects to be undertaken to commence in 2022, include:
- Dr Ali Baker from Flinders University will work to develop an Indigenous Creative Arts Framework to transform the Humanities across Australian universities.
- Mr Gawura Wanambi from Charles Darwin University aims to develop a new kind of digital mapping to document Yolngu knowledge practices and representational systems along a coastline under threat from climate change.
- Dr Virginia Marshall from The Australian National University will explore how Australian regulatory systems can better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Knowledge holders to commercialise traditional medicines.
For a full list of funded Discovery Indigenous projects, including a snapshot of funding by state and territory, please view the funding announcement kit
