Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
Indigenous leadership and academic pathways
Mobilising an agenda for equity and change in health.
We support Indigenous early career researchers right through their PhD journey, from pre-application through to post-doctoral support. Using a unique, supportive approach to respond to Indigenous research students’ requirements, the Centre has grown to be a critical hub of support for the next generation of health leaders.
Explore our engagement and outreach programs to identify your next step in becoming a future health researcher.
Not sure if a PhD is right for you? Have a look at our PhD Familiarisation program!
Find out what our current PhD students are investigating.
Scholarship opportunities
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Royal Melbourne Hospital Allied Health Department
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) has partnered with the University of Melbourne to offer two scholarships for PhD or Masters (MPhil) studies within the Allied Health Department.
The scholarships include an annual stipend of $50,000 a year for three years (PhD) or 18 months (MPhil) and can be taken up part time (paid pro-rata).
For more information click here.
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Lowitja Institute scholarships
The Lowitja Institute Scholarships aim to support the next generation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research workforce. This is done by building the capacity and capability of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce at all levels of the research process, from research administration and project management, all the way to conducting postgraduate research.
For more information click here.
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Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne Medical School
The Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne Medical School, is offering a three-year scholarship for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander graduate to undertake a PhD in the Unit for Indigenous Child Development Measures (Department of Paediatrics) based at the Melbourne Children’s Campus (Royal Children’s Hospital).
The scholarship includes an annual stipend of $50,000 a year tax free, for three years, with additional non-financial support (e.g. research costs, travel, conference support etc).
For more information click here.
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Academic Shepherding
Prospective Indigenous PhD students are connected with senior Professors at the University, who support the application process. Support areas includes navigating admissions criteria, articulating research experience and training, and advocating for applicants through the selection process.
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Financial Support
All Indigenous PhD students at the University of Melbourne are guaranteed a research training program stipend (or equivalent). Additional Scholarships are also available as is potential opportunities for paid casual work throughout candidature.
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Supervisors and Mentors
The Melbourne Poche Centre connects Indigenous PhD students with leading researchers and other experts across various disciplines. Whether you need assistance with finding a supervisor, looking for a mentor or something else, please get in touch.
- Shawana Andrews
Director
- Emily Munro-Harrison
Indigenous Graduate Research Program Coordinator
- Jenn Johnston
Executive Assistant
- Odette Mazel
Senior Research Fellow
- Hannah Fagan
Communications and Projects Coordinator
Shawana Andrews
Director
Shawana is a Palawa Trawlwoolway woman, with 20 years experience working in Aboriginal health.
Beginning as an Aboriginal hospital liaison officer, Shawana established a co-designed Koori mental health program, an Aboriginal child and family case management program and a comprehensive Aboriginal child outpatient clinic.
Shawana has held policy, project management and teaching roles across the health and higher education sectors.
Contact Shawana for information about our student, leadership or research programs.
Emily Munro-Harrison
Indigenous Graduate Research Program Coordinator
Emily (Wiradjuri) is the Indigenous Graduate Research Program Coordinator and is currently completing her PhD within the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health.
Emily’s professional background spans youth and disability support services, policy and evaluation, with 10 years in Indigenous health research. Recent research includes Indigenous youth justice, place-based research, and evaluation of health and wellbeing services and programs.
Contact Emily to find out more about our to find out more about our Indigenous graduate research program.
Jenn Johnston
Executive Assistant
Jenn Johnston oversees the administration for the Melbourne Poche Centre and provides executive support to the Director, Shawana Andrews.
Jenn has over 25 years’ experience with the University of Melbourne, across various centres and departments including the Department of Microbiology, and the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
Contact Jenn for general enquiries about the Melbourne Poche Centre.
Odette Mazel
Senior Research Fellow
Odette, Senior Research Fellow, is also a PhD student at the Melbourne Law School.
Her research focuses on the rights of Indigenous peoples and LGBTQIA+ people, and the cultural, social and legal avenues used to pursue their rights. Her work draws on a range of critical theories, particularly decolonialism/postcolonialism, feminism and queer theory.
Odette has previously worked with the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network; the Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements (ATNS) Project; and the Australian Government Solicitor in South Australia.
Contact Odette for information about our research projects.
Hannah Fagan
Communications and Projects Coordinator
Hannah (non-Indigenous) is a creative storyteller with experience in employee, customer and digital communications. She uses data-driven insights to drive business outcomes, with a strong focus on the needs of the end user and audience.
Contact Hannah to update your details on the website, share a story or to promote an event, job opportunity or publication.
Research and Evaluation program
The Research and Evaluation Program was established to enhance the impact and reach of our activities and contribute to strengthening our strategic goals. This ensures our work is providing useful and dynamic opportunities for Indigenous Australians to grow their influence and networks and mobilise an agenda for change in their field of health practice.
We are also developing a research program that partners with local, national and international researchers, Indigenous organisations and initiatives. This program’s focus is topics that examine Indigenous research and leadership in health more generally.
Together, these initiatives are focused on the way Indigenous knowledges contribute to improving health systems and outcomes for Indigenous people.
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Supporting doctoral pathways for Indigenous people in health
Evaluating the initiatives of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
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Supporting emerging and established Indigenous leaders in the health sciences
Evaluating the initiatives of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
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Indigenous Knowledge Institute research theme grant
Employing Indigenous knowledges to understand the intersection between health and justice
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce since 2000
A review and analysis of progress in building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce since 2000
Our Leadership Fellows Program supports the development of emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in academic, policy, clinical and research roles in Higher Education institutions, government, health delivery and the community sector.
The Leadership Fellows Program is tailored to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career professionals. The interactive program brings together health-focused fellows to network, collaborate and grow.
Our leadership program will return in 2022. In the meantime, you can see what happens when our leaders went to London.