Maximise your Conference Experience: Strategies for Engagement and Impact Workshop
The Maximise your Conference Experience: Strategies for Engagement and Impact workshop is a pre-conference activity for Indigenous PhD scholars, held in conjunction with Lowitja Institute's 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference.
The workshop will provide a focused, supportive environment to build connections, refine skills, and step confidently into the conference.
The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is coordinating bursaries to financially support Indigenous PhD scholars from any university Australia-wide to attend the workshop and conference in Adelaide from 16–19 June 2025.
The bursary funding is provided by the Maali Hub of the OCHRe Network, and the workshop is supported by Lowitja Institute.
About the Workshop
In this workshop you will be provided opportunities to
- Sharpen Your Presentation - With an opportunity to deliver a 3–5 minute presentation and enhance your communication skills in a supportive space
- Engage in Research Leadership – Enjoy insights from leading Indigenous researchers and scholars on their research journeys
- Build Global Connections – Network with Indigenous PhD scholars from around the world
- Navigate the Conference - Leave with the tools and knowledge to get the most out of the conference
Date: Monday 16 June
Time: 10am – 2pm
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre
The workshop is held in conjunction with Lowitja Institute's 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference.
Keynote Speakers
Associate Professor Hinekura Smith
Principal Research Fellow, University of Queensland
Associate Professor Hinekura Smith is a Māori woman, teacher, weaver and Kaupapa Māori researcher who descends from the Te Rarawa and Ngā Puhi people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
With 27 years' experience as a Māori educator, she began her career as a Māori language teacher, before moving into tertiary education, lecturing, teacher education, research and academic leadership.
Hinekura’s research interests weave together growing Indigenous research, decolonizing education, Indigenous arts-based methodologies and Māori and Indigenous doctoral supervision and support. She is a principal research fellow in the ARC-IFC.
Associate Professor Karla Canuto
Associate Professor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University
Associate Professor Karla Canuto is a Torres Strait Islander, descendent of the Naghir Tribe of the Kulkalgal Clan.
Karla's qualifications include a Bachelor of Sports & Exercise Science (JCU) and a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion (Uni Sydney). Karla’s PhD was awarded by the University of South Australia, conferred in 2013.
Karla has experience across a wide range of research projects all focused on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; including cancer, chronic disease prevention, mums and bubs and the promotion of physical activity and nutrition.
Her recent focus has been on building the capacity and capabilities of researchers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, in particular growing the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.
Bursaries Available through Melbourne Poche Centre
The bursaries provide financial support to Indigenous PhD scholars to attend the workshop and conference. Bursaries include
- The Workshop
- Registration to Lowitja’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, including the Conference Gala dinner
- Domestic return travel, to be organised by the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
- Accommodation from Sunday 15 June to Friday 20 June 2025, to be organised by the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
The bursary does not cover any personal expenses and incidentals incurred for your attendance.
Who can apply
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD scholars, who are a current member of Lowitja Institute and OCHRe network, or have applied to be a member, of both.
- Lowitja Institute membership application form: Apply here
- OCHRe Network membership application form: Apply here
How to apply
Submit an application through Eventbrite.
- Provide details of your PhD studies
- Please tell us why you want to attend the Workshop and Lowitja’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference. (100 words)
- Please tell us how attending the Workshop and Lowitja’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference will benefit your studies and/or professional development. (100 words)
- Please tell us how attending the Workshop and Lowitja’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference will support your involvement in research leadership. (100 words)
- Provide a support letter from your lead supervisor, by email to Tahlia within one week of applying.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions including to attend the Workshop and provide a 500-word reflection on how the Workshop impacted your Conference experience
Questions
Reach out to Tahlia Eastman, Indigenous Graduate Research Program Coordinator
Reach out to Warwick Padgham, Manager of Indigenous Student Programs
About the Maali Hub
The Maali Hub is dedicated to supporting First Nations Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and early to mid-career researchers in Australia. Its primary objective is to elevate the representation of First Nations health researchers by providing support and guidance through scholarships and stipends and other capability building activities. The Maali Hub empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars to complete their studies, contributing to the advancement of First Nations health research. Operating within a collaborative network, it underscores the importance of collective efforts in achieving common objectives.
About the OCHRe network
OCHRe is a national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers. We are developing the next generation of health research leaders, who are connected and supported to thrive in research and the academic world, while delivering health research outcomes that have a long-lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities.
About the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health has set a strong foundation toward establishing a new generation of Indigenous health leaders and researchers. Based at the University of Melbourne, a global leader in higher education, we offer Indigenous-led programs that build Indigenous health leadership capital and create academic pathways for PhD and post-doctoral achievement and research impact.
Our aim is to build local, national and international networks to support Indigenous health leadership, and to establish ‘a rightful place’ in the academy for Indigenous intellect and scholarship.
About Lowitja Institute
Lowitja Institute is Australia's only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health research institute.
The organisation is named in honour of its namesake and co-patron, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.
Lowitja Institute works for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through high-impact quality research, knowledge exchange, and by supporting a new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.
Established in January 2010, we operate on key principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, a broader understanding of health that incorporates wellbeing, and the need for the work to have a clear and positive impact.
While Lowitja Institute was officially established in January 2010, its history dates back to 1997 when the first Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Aboriginal and Tropical Health was established. Following three subsequent CRCs, Lowitja Institute became a community controlled organisation and established a membership base led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives in 2020.