Indigenous Graduate Research Welcome Day
We welcomed Graduate Researchers to the Melbourne Poche Centre on Tuesday 29 March, to kick start the 2022 Indigenous Graduate Research Program.
“It was wonderful to welcome everyone to campus, to connect and reconnect, in person and on Zoom, and I look forward to more opportunities for us to get together throughout the year,” Indigenous Graduate Research Program Coordinator, Emily Munro-Harrison said.
The day began with a beautiful Welcome and smoking ceremony from Wurundjeri woman Stacie Piper. We heard Dr Sarah French speak about the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research and the Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research and Leadership. After lunch Graduate Researchers received a thoughtful introduction from Professor Sandra Eades, Associate Dean, Indigenous at MDHS.
As a group we headed over to the Emu Sky exhibition held in the Old Quad for a guided tour by curator Zena Cumpston. Zena gave an in-depth discussion of the work in the exhibition, and encouraged graduate researchers to examine the possibilities for their research, and the considerations of place in it. Emu Sky “explores and illuminates Indigenous perspectives related to science, innovation, plant use, land management and agricultural practice,” (Emu Sky exhibition).
In the afternoon the group visited Murrup Barak, the Indigenous Student Centre, to chat with Director Inala Cooper and Strategic Projects and Engagement Coordinator Kirsten Hausia. Following this we headed back to Poche to discuss our plans for the coming year, what masterclasses and support we can offer, and to ask graduate researchers what else might be needed to support their research journey.
We hope everyone had as much fun as we did and look forward to a fantastic year with you!