First published 1 September 2022
Higher Degree by Research – Factors for Indigenous Student Success is based on a qualitative study which analysed interviews, feedback and data from 147 Indigenous HDR students across Australia.
Professor Peter Anderson, Dr Levon Blue, Dr Thu Pham and Melanie Saward (pictured above) say their book aims to privilege the voices of Indigenous HDR students who have shared their needs and experiences in academia with the authors.
They say the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enrolling in HDR programs has increased over the last decade, but completion rates have remained relatively low.
The researchers say there are consistent assumptions made by some academics that were reported by the students, and should be reviewed by those working with HDR students.
The three key ‘myths’ are:
- that Indigenous HDR students need to be supervised by Indigenous academics, rather than an academic with relevant discipline expertise
- that Indigenous HDR students should use Indigenous research methodologies when conducting their research
- that Indigenous HDR students need to research Indigenous issues.
The book also identifies three key factors needed for First Nations students to have a successful HDR experience:
- respectful relationships
- discipline knowledge from supervisors
- opportunities to build their CV during candidature.
The book’s first author, Professor Anderson, is the former executive director of QUT’s Carumba Institute and is now a consultant to the higher education sector on Indigenous education policy.
Fellow author Dr Blue, from the Carumba Institute, said many Indigenous HDR students across Australia had reported positive experiences with their supervisors and felt they were well supported. But she said the study showed some students had expectations about the role of their supervisor that differed from what a university was required to provide.
“It’s important that universities clearly state the roles and responsibilities of HDR supervisors, as there can be a disconnect between the support a student would like from their supervisor and what they actually receive, which can lead to disillusionment,” she said.
Higher Degree by Research – Factors for Indigenous Student Success also shares recommendations from current Indigenous HDR students for prospective students.
These include:
“Love your subject area – if you aren’t driven and passionate it will be a hard slog.”
“Find an Indigenous cohort or HDR community as it’s lonely.”
“Talk to every single PhD candidate you can about their experience in the school/institution they are in.”
“Choose your supervisor with great care (erring on personal relationship if in doubt because that will help you in the long run) but realise that the HE sector is pretty fluid right now and the chances that you will have to change supervisor at some point is very high.”
“Make sure you pick a topic that is true to yourself and a supervisor who understands and respects your vision.”
“Speak to current PhD students about the struggles of PhD life. Speak to those who have recently submitted about what it took to get across the line.”
“If possible, try to study full time by obtaining a scholarship or something similar so you don’t have to worry about an income or studying and working at the same time, otherwise it can get too much and your study can be put off.”
“Take time each day to reconnect with country, family and our ancestors. Draw strength from them & remind yourself daily why you are doing research.”
Higher Degree by Research – Factors for Indigenous Student Success is published by Springer Nature.
The National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN) received funding from the Australian Research Council through a Special Research Initiative grant which made it possible to conduct capacity-building workshops with Indigenous HDR students, and research and write the book.
About the authors
Professor Peter Anderson is from the Walpiri and Murinpatha First Nations in the Northern Territory and is the former Executive Director of QUT’s Carumba Institute. He is a consultant to the higher education sector on Indigenous education policy. His research theorises the understandings of the organisational value of academic freedom in Australian universities and also more broadly in the polar south. Professor Anderson’s research areas include organisational leadership, Indigenous peoples’ education, and teacher and academic professional development. He is the lead Chief Investigator for the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN), an Australian Research Council funded Special Research Initiative.
Dr Levon Blue (Nimki Nibi Kwe) is an Anishinaabe kwe (woman) who is a member of the Beausoleil First Nations (G’Chimnissing) in Canada. She is a senior lecturer and NIRAKN coordinator at the Carumba Institute at QUT. Dr Blue works with Indigenous peoples in both Australia and Canada on community-driven research projects, including the financial literacy needs related to First Nations’ trust accounts, small business owners, and the needs and experiences of Indigenous HDR students.
Dr Thu Pham is a researcher at the Carumba Institute at QUT, where she works on Indigenous education and support for Indigenous HDR students’ projects. She completed her doctoral degree at QUT on leadership to support quality improvement in Vietnamese higher education. Her research interests include leadership in higher education and higher education reforms in Asia-Pacific countries.
Melanie Saward is a proud descendant of the Wakka Wakka and Bigambul peoples. She is an associate lecturer of creative writing in the School of Creative Practice at QUT, and a PhD candidate. She is the managing editor of Djed Press, and her writing has been published in Flock, Overland, Kill Your Darlings, and New Australian Fiction 2019.
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