Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer
Program Convenor, Yapug (Enabling)
Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies
- Email:sharlene.leroy-dyer@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 49217935
In the interest of Indigenous rights
Controversially putting Corporate Australia under a microscope, Sharlene Leroy-Dyer is looking to magnify racial discrimination and other incidents of employer misconduct in the workplace.
Labelling the latest Closing the Gap Report as a “huge fail,” Sharlene Leroy-Dyer concedes there is still a lot that needs to be done if our country is to successfully and permanently narrow the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In fact, the early career researcher insists the inequalities are actually worsening, particularly in health, literacy, education and employment. It’s the latter, however, that she believes is most concerning.
“Existing employment strategies are, at best, short-term fixes,” Sharlene elaborates.
“They are entrenched in ‘whiteness’ and do not contribute to self-determination or adequately address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and economic issues.”
"If the Commonwealth Government really wants to reduce labour market disadvantage, it needs comprehensive programs that act as early interventions at the primary and/or high school level"
“The appropriate individuals must also be held to account if targets are not met.”
Focusing her studies on the private sector, Sharlene is seeking to more clearly define the professional needs and desires of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, developing a “best practice toolkit” that organisations can use to guide the creation of “culturally sensitive” workplace polices and procedures.
“My research is largely motivated by personal experience,” she shares.
“I previously worked at a company here in the Hunter, where I was racially discriminated against and publicly humiliated.”
“The manager had no idea how to treat Aboriginal employees.”
“The case was brought to the Human Rights Commission and later settled out of court.”
Turning the bad into good
Sharlene’s research career began in 2007, when she commenced a PhD at the University of Newcastle. Honing in on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander unemployment and underemployment, the case study cuts across a wide cross section of Australian society.
“It involved 220 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees from six private sector organisations,” she comments.
“A total of eight mentors, five of whom are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and 59 managers who were directly involved in Indigenous employment also partook in this project.”
“Only six of them, however, are Aboriginal.”
Opting for a qualitative approach, Sharlene acquired information from these participants using both yarning and Indigenous knowledges.
“The former is a process of making meaning through informal and ‘culturally friendly’ conversations,” she explains.
Indigenous knowledges, on the other hand, refers to the social, physical and spiritual understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that are passed down through the generations and deeply connected to their unique ties with country and kinship.
“I asked employers about the policies and procedures that they had in place for recruiting and retaining Indigenous workers, and I asked employees about their experiences in the workplace and whether the policies and procedures were adequate and appropriate – or even implemented in some cases.”
Divide and not conquer
Now at the pointy end of her candidature, Sharlene has come to the disappointing conclusion that we will “never close the gap” on Indigenous disadvantage in employment. Powerfully suggesting it to be “beyond the capacity” of the Commonwealth Government, she affirms a substantial narrowing will only happen when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander development policymakers balance socioeconomic equality and the recognition of choice and self-determination for the traditional custodians of our land.
“Australians are not all alike,” she asserts.
“We share a history but our roles in that shared history are very different, based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and nationality.”
“This fixation on being a homogeneous group generally results in those who are non-white being pressured into assimilating as fully as possible, giving up our cultural identities and accepting the culture of the majority.”
In the interest of Indigenous rights
Controversially putting Corporate Australia under a microscope, Sharlene Leroy-Dyer is looking to magnify racial discrimination and other incidents of employer
Career Summary
Biography
I am a Aboriginal woman, from the Guringai, Gadigal, Wiradjuri and Darug peoples, born in Sydney, NSW.
I have a PhD in the degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Management). My thesis is entitled: Private-sector employment programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Comparative case studies.
I completed my Honours thesis in 2006, entitled “Is mentoring an effective Human Resource strategy to redress labour market disadvantage for Indigenous Australians: A qualitative study of mentoring outcomes for Indigenous trainees at the University of Newcastle”.
I am a staunch Unionist, left wing political views.
Research ExpertiseMy research is around the Labour Market disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and what can be done to alleviate this disadvantage including private sector Indigenous Employment strategies.
Teaching Expertise
Industrial relations, diversity management, negotiation and advocacy. Aboriginal studies, Aboriginal labour history, Aboriginal employment, enabling courses for Aboriginal students
Administrative Expertise
5 successful grants
Collaborations
Research collaborations include: Enabling Pedagogies, Enabling education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, Workplace mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Increasing participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Business Schools.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Business, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Business (Honours), University of Newcastle
- Grad Cert in Indigenous Research & Leadership, University of Melbourne
Keywords
- Aboriginal Culture
- Aboriginal Education
- Aboriginal Employment
- Enabling Education
- Enabling Pedagogies
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Enabling Pedagogies
- Indigenous Pedagogies
- Industrial Relations
- Politics
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
080701 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Management | 30 |
160501 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy | 40 |
150399 | Business and Management not elsewhere classified | 30 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|
Program Convenor, Yapug (Enabling) | University of Newcastle Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies Australia |
Casual ISSP Tutor Wollotuka | University of Newcastle Indigenous Education and Research Australia |
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
6/06/2014 - 5/08/2016 | Indigenous New Career Academic | Wollotuka Institute Australia |
1/01/2008 - 1/06/2014 | Casual Academic | University of Newcastle The Wollotuka Institute Australia |
1/01/2004 - 1/12/2013 | Casual Academic | University of Newcastle Newcastle Business School Australia |
Membership
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/01/2016 - | Academy of Management | Academy of Management Australia |
1/01/2010 - | Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association | Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/02/2009 - 1/12/2009 | Portfolio Leader/Indigenous Employment Co-ordinator | University of Newcastle The Wollotuka Institute Australia |
Awards
Recognition
Year | Award |
---|---|
2001 |
Dean's Merit Award for Academic Excellence University of Newcastle |
Research Award
Year | Award |
---|---|
2008 |
Australia Day Award National Council of Women of New South Wales |
2005 |
Dr Claire Burton award for excellence in research Macquarie University |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
Leroy-Dyer SM, 'Employing Indigenous Australians: Strategies for success', Managing Diversity in Australia: Theory and Practice, McGraw Hill, North Ryde, NSW 137-152 (2010) [B2]
|
Journal article (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 |
Leroy-Dyer S, 'Aboriginal enabling pedagogies and approaches in Australia: Centring and decolonising our approaches', International Studies in Widening Participation, 5 4-9 (2018)
|
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2009 |
Burgess KJ, Leroy-Dyer SM, 'Workplace mentoring for indigenous Australians: A case study', Equal Opportunities International, 28 465-485 (2009) [C1]
|
Conference (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 |
Bennett A, Motta S, Hamilton E, Burgess C, Relf B, Leroy-Dyer S, et al., 'Theorising enabling pedagogies', Theorising enabling pedagogies, SCU, Gold Coast (2017)
|
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2007 |
Leroy-Dyer SM, Burgess KJ, 'Workplace mentoring for Indigenous Australians: A case study', 7th Annual Pacific Employment Relations Association Conference (PERA). Proceedings, Caloundra, Qld (2007) [E1]
|
Report (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 |
Bennett AK, Motta S, Hamilton E, Burgess C, Relf B, Gray K, et al., 'Enabling Pedagogies: A participatory conceptual mapping of practices at
the University of Newcastle, Australia', Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education (2018)
|
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2018 |
Bennett A, Motta SC, Hamilton E, Burgess C, Relf B, Gray K, Leroy-Dyer S, 'Conceptualising Enabling Pedagogies at the University of Newcastle', Centre for Excellence in Education in Higher Education, 250 (2018)
|
Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 |
Leroy-Dyer S, Private-sector employment programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Comparative case studies, University of Newcastle (2016)
|
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 5 |
---|---|
Total funding | $125,624 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20161 grants / $19,950
Enabling Pedagogies and Transitions $19,950
Funding body: Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education
Funding body | Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education |
---|---|
Project Team | Bennett, A., Motta, S., Burgess, C., Gray, K., Hamilton, E., Relf, B., Leroy-Dyer, S. and Albright, J. |
Scheme | Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20092 grants / $84,482
Private Sector Workplace Employment Programs for Indigenous Australians$55,000
Funding body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
Funding body | ARC (Australian Research Council) |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Conjoint Professor John Burgess, Professor John Maynard |
Scheme | Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2009 |
Funding Finish | 2010 |
GNo | G0188990 |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
Category | 1CS |
UON | Y |
Home Care - Aboriginal Trainee Program$29,482
Funding body: NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care
Funding body | NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care |
---|---|
Project Team | Emeritus Professor John Lester, Mr Greg Blyton, Doctor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer |
Scheme | Disability & Home Care Research Grants |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2009 |
Funding Finish | 2009 |
GNo | G0190661 |
Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
Category | 2OPS |
UON | Y |
20082 grants / $21,192
What policies and strategies have private sector organizations adopted to redress Labour market disadvantage for Indigenous Australians?$20,000
Funding body: Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies
Funding body | Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Conjoint Professor John Burgess |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2008 |
Funding Finish | 2008 |
GNo | G0188515 |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
Category | 1CS |
UON | Y |
Private sector workplace employment programs for Indigenous Australians$1,192
Funding body: University of Newcastle
Funding body | University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Conjoint Professor John Burgess |
Scheme | Near Miss Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2008 |
Funding Finish | 2008 |
GNo | G0188407 |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | PhD | Defining Wiradjuri Sovereignty: The Basis for Treaty Making in Australia | PhD (Aboriginal Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2017 | Masters | How Do We Make Aboriginal Groups Sustainable, and Do Groups Benefit Community Members and How Can We Empower Them to Have Supportable Groups That Belong to the Community. | M Philosophy (Abor Studies), The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Research Projects
Improving Indigenous participation, retention and success in Australia business-related higher education 2016 - 2017
Improving Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student Participation, Retention and Success in Australian Business-Related Higher Education
Project TeamMorris Altman (UoN), Sara Motta (UoN), Dennis Foley (UoN), Sharlene Leroy-Dyer (UoN), Lillian Eastwood (UoN), Kate Ramzan-Levy (UoN), Alison Sheridan (UNE), Gregory Davison (UNE)
This research project aims to address the challenge of relatively low participation and success rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business students. The project was initiated and endorsed by the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) and funded through a competitive Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) Grant.
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Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer
Positions
Program Convenor, Yapug (Enabling)
English Language and Foundation Studies Centre The Wollotuka Institute
Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies
Academic Division
Casual ISSP Tutor Wollotuka
English Language and Foundation Studies Centre The Wollotuka Institute
Indigenous Education and Research
Academic Division
Contact Details
sharlene.leroy-dyer@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 49217935 |
Mobile | 0417239909 |
Office
Room | GP217 / SAS214 |
---|---|
Building | General Purpose Building / Birabahn |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |