Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership

The Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership (GC-IRL) is an interdisciplinary coursework program which aims to develop leadership skills and capacity in, or involving, Indigenous research.

The curriculum of the course is underpinned by Indigenous perspectives and has aspects which can be tailored to each participant's work context and career.Applicants for the course must either have completed the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research (GC-IRPRO), or have already completed a doctorate (see Entry Requirements).

Course structure

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

MULT90022 Indigenous Research or equivalent (see Entry Requirements) MULT90024 Indigenous Research and Leadership

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have:

• either

– recent completion of or near completion of or demonstrable progress in a Research Higher Degree course (requiring at least two-thirds research work) at Masters level or above, and completion of the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research, or – recent completion of a Doctoral degree, and demonstrable engagement with key issues in Indigenous research; 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.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• if applicable, the engagement with key issues in Indigenous research; and
• the written endorsement.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Note. 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.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

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/

Intended learning outcomes

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.