Indigenous Student Engagement Committee

The SBSP Indigenous Student Engagement Committee is here to make our programs more inclusive and welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, to support their studies and their future careers!

Committee activities include:

  • Awarding/managing Indigenous Student Research Fellowships
  • Indigenous student engagement activities
  • Progressing Indigenisation of the curriculum in our schools’ courses.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students can contact us about any aspect of their studies or experiences- we are here to support you!

Students or staff who want to contribute to committee activities can reach out to the committee to hear about new opportunities as they develop.

Contact us at sbsp-isec@newcastle.edu.au

About us Research scholarshipsStudent engagementIndigenisation of the Curriculum

About us

Our people

  • Dr Lizzie Manning (co-chair): Neuroscience researcher and lecturer in physiology and pharmacology (HUBS2203 and others). Also happy to be contacted about research pathways (HUBS3412, school Indigenous student fellowship, honours, PhD and beyond).
  • Dr Guy Cameron (co-chair): Wailwan man, medical student, and researcher (ear health and neuroimaging). My passion is science and medicine; but I'm also here to help with any aspect of university or life!
  • Associate Professor Karen Mate: Education focussed academic in biochemistry and physiology (HUBS1202, HUBS1401, PHAR3101, PHAR3202 and others). Can provide advice and assistance with study techniques, understanding policies and procedures, program progression and career pathways.
  • Dr Saije Endacott: Early Career Researcher working in First Nations Health. Can provide advice and assistance with research projects for third year projects/honours/PhD, study design and laboratory techniques, and research ethics.
  • Sharleen Slater (student member): I am from the Biripi Tribe in Taree, my future goals include finishing my degree and finding what field I would like to work in. I am an Indigenous Research Fellowship recipient, and signed up because I felt this would help me to decide what field I would like to work in when I am finished my degree, help to gain connections and have working knowledge of biomedicine in the real world. I'm also supported by a Ma & Morley Scholarship from the University.

Five individuals standing and smiling

Research scholarships

Indigenous Student Research Scholarship

Video

University of Newcastle Indigenous Student Research Scholarships 2:06

If you are a current student wondering what working in research would be like, The School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy offer paid scholarships for First Nations students!

These Indigenous Student Research Scholarships aim to help students get their foot in the door and do some research training, learn more about academic career options, and provide students with an opportunity to develop networks with mentors in the University of Newcastle community that may help to support students with their career goals.

Scholarships are valued at $2,500 each and no prior research training is required, only enthusiasm to learn more about what a career in research is all about!

You could learn more about research topics including:

To learn more or express your interest in this opportunity, please complete our expression of interest form.

We are leading the way in First Nations-led research, and you could be one of the future leaders in this space.

Ability to learn from professionals and leaders in the field. And the ability to work it around my schedule made the experience more enjoyable.

I had never previously had very much experience to do with research, this program allowed me to understand the vast opportunity in the field of research. Mentors within the program showed how research is involved in many different careers, and how I can be involved in research in the future.

It gave me options I had not considered before.

Feedback from past scholarship students

Meet our previous scholarship students

Bekki Spratford

Scholarship project summary: Thefellowship provided a safe and accepting environment to enable me to feel comfortable in an intimidating area of research. The program fostered a supportive and collaborative environment where you can truly thrive and gave me the confidence in my own abilities that will benefit me throughout my professional career.

How did this program benefit you:The fellowship program provided me with opportunities for both personal and professional growth. The mentorship and collaborative environment fostered by the program provided invaluable insights, not only into my field of study, but also as an early career researcher.

Feel free to contact Bekki for a yarn about their experience with the program or some advice: Bekki.Spratford@uon.edu.au

More scholarships

Student engagement

The committee are passionate about engaging current and prospective First Nations students in the community! We work closely with The Wollotuka Institute to provide engagement activities to students on or off campus.

We have facilitated laboratory visits and other hands-on activities with High School groups from the local area and from more regional areas like Armidale and Tamworth.

Activities have included:

  • Pharmacy webster pack making
  • Microscope lab
  • Learning about the DNA code
  • Laboratory tours or experiment sessions
  • Meeting a research scientist.

If you or your school are interested in engaging with us, please contact us at sbsp-isec@newcastle.edu.au

Indigenisation of the Curriculum

Our team are dedicated to creating a culturally safe curriculum within the School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy. We strive to ensure that First Nations students feel welcomed and supported throughout their studies as they prepare for their future careers. Additionally, we aim to educate non-Indigenous students to understand and respect First Nations people and their ways of knowing, being, and doing.

Ultimately, our goal is to nurture culturally competent and sensitive graduates who can serve effectively in the health and research sectors.

To make sure we do this right, the team are in the process of consulting with past, current and future First Nations students and graduates, if you are interested in participating in the consultation process please contact us at sbsp-isec@newcastle.edu.au