The Carumba Institute extends the gift of belonging to community, Indigenously and intellectually.

The Carumba Institute is QUT's dedicated student support unit for Indigenous research students. We provide assistance, mentorship and academic career guidance to Indigenous students at all stages of their research candidature.

When you research with us, you join a vibrant and exciting culture of emerging research talent. Our supportive and welcoming environment will help equip you for success in your research career.

CIB103 Indigenous Resistance, Revolutionaries and Rights

In this new university-wide elective, we will explore the diverse and profound ways that Indigenous peoples have engaged politically and intellectually with contemporary challenges to their standing as First Peoples. Taught through stories and a rights-based framework, this interdisciplinary unit will help you appreciate Indigenous thought and knowledges and enable you to apply these ideas to reimagine contemporary challenges and opportunities within our societies.

We will introduce you to influential Indigenous thinkers and theorists from Queensland and explore their creative and intellectual contributions to public discourse, including their theorising on Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and feminism. We will then explore how the social construction of ‘race’ has impacted upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We will delve into anti-racist efforts and their local, national and global implications, highlighting their application to contemporary issues.

Find out more

Support when you need it

The Indigenous Postgraduate Programs Officer (IPPO) oversees and provides support services for current and incoming students. The IPPO also works internally to promote QUT scholarships, bursaries, and other research opportunities to the Carumba Institute student cohort.

Email carumbainstitute@qut.edu.au for more information.

Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award 

QUT offers the Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award - a dedicated scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Masters of Philosophy and PhD candidates. This scholarship covers living costs for full-time students for up to 2 years (masters students) and 3 years (PhD students).

Find out more about the Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award

Indigenous students are also eligible for scholarship top-ups through their faculty.

Indigenous Australians PhD/Professional Doctorate to Postdoctoral Fellowship (P2P) program

QUT offers the Indigenous Australians PhD/Professional Doctorate to Postdoctoral Fellowship (P2P) program to support Indigenous Australians to gain doctoral research qualifications and follow a pathway into academic positions.

The P2P program provides financial support if you're:

  • studying a PhD or professional doctorate
  • articulating from a QUT Master of Philosophy into a PhD
  • undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship.
Read about the program

Access to 24/7 study spaces

Indigenous postgraduate students enrolled at QUT have access to the Carumba Institute HDR Study Spaces, located at both Kelvin Grove (D Block, Level 2) and Gardens Point (B Block, Level 3) campuses. including:

  • secure 24/7 computer access
  • kitchen facilities
  • support staff for HDR students

You'll also have opportunities to attend reading and writing sessions and retreats, and capacity-building workshops. You'll also have access to study spaces provided by your faculty, as well as specialist language and learning support through Graduate Research Education and Development (GRE+D).

Your research project

We're ready to support your research journey, and that includes helping you find the right project and the best team to help you succeed.

We've curated a list of dozens of projects and supervisors who are actively seeking Indigenous perspectives for their research. Alternatively, you can explore all the supervisors and research projects QUT has to offer to find a match for your interests.

Find a project or supervisor

National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network

The National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network is a national, inclusive, mutidisciplinary hub and spokesmodel network of Indigenous researchers at various stages of their careers.  The network is lead by Indigenous senior scholars with strong research and track records who bring extensive experience in collaborative and community-based research.

Find out more

Applications

Ready to apply?

If you're considering a research degree with the Carumba Institute, contact carumbainstitute@qut.edu.au to find out how we can help.

If you'd like to study a postgraduate coursework degree (like a graduate certificate or graduate diploma), contact QUT's Oodgeroo Unit.

Come study with us

Confirmation of Aboriginality

To access the Carumba Institute services, students must be able to provide a Confirmation of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander descent form stamped with a Common Seal belonging to a registered organisation.

Find out more from the AIATSIS website

HDR study spaces

Need more information?

Need help with your next steps? Contact the Carumba Institute to find out more about your future research journey.

3138 8611