Eminent Visiting Fellow Program
Collaborate with leading academics and sector experts to advance research, policy, and practice in support of culturally strong, economically self-determined First Nations communities.
About the program
The Mabo Centre welcomes expressions of interest from senior Traditional Owners and First Nations leaders, established and emerging Indigenous researchers and academics, whose work focuses on First Nations economic empowerment.
Use your expertise to support the work of the Centre and advance our focus areas of research:
- Agreements, Treaties and Settlements;
- Traditional Owner Economic Empowerment; and
- Supporting Strong First Nations
We encourage both national and international applicants to submit an EOI. Fellowship duration is generally up to three months, and acceptance into the program is competitive - places each year are limited.
What the program offers
When you join the program, gain access to:
- dedicated workspace to advance your research -library resources, research facilities, and administrative support at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus
- a community of peers - build collaborative partnerships and create opportunities to exchange knowledge with other eminent researchers and scholars
- extended visibility within the University of Melbourne’s academic networks - gain recognition of your national or international distinction
- the opportunity to shape the Centre’s research themes and knowledge activities - influence First Nations economic research, policy, and practice for years to come
Upon acceptance, each Visiting Fellow is provided with:
- an allowance (equivalent of three months’ salary at an Academic Level C .6 level) and an agreed research budget
- return economy airfares from your place of residence to Melbourne
- an accommodation allowance for the period of the fellowship
- workspace, computer, and access to the University of Melbourne library for the duration of the fellowship
Program eligibility
To be considered for a Fellowship, you must be an eminent Traditional Owner, First Nations leader, or Indigenous researcher, practitioner or intellectual of standing whose work aligns with our focus areas of research.
Program expectations
As a Visiting Fellow, you’ll contribute to the Centre’s research themes by conducting and sharing your research outputs. You’ll deliver research outcomes as an occasional paper and present on this topic at a public lecture held during the Fellowship duration.
Outputs may be undertaken independently, or in collaboration with the Centre’s researchers and other Visiting Fellows.
Application process
To apply for the Mabo Centre’s Eminent Visiting Fellow program, please submit an expression of interest and include:
- a brief CV outlining your qualifications and experience;
- a brief research plan or description of a project you wish to pursue during your time at the Centre, and how this aligns with the Centre’s work; and
- contact details of two referees.
The assessment committee will consider EOIs against the following selection criteria:
- your previous contribution to advancing the rights of Traditional Owners, nationally or internationally;
- relevance of your research to the Centre’s work and extent to which your work enhances and strengthens the research outputs of the Centre;
- real-world impact your research will have in advancing the economic, social and cultural rights of Traditional Owners both now and in the future;
- quality of research undertaken; and
- possibility for future and ongoing collaboration with the Centre.
The decision to appoint a Visiting Fellow is made by the Centre Director, who has the discretion to determine eligibility.
More information
International applicants
Visiting Fellows from outside Australia are responsible for obtaining and funding any necessary visas or insurance required for the duration of the fellowship.
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Centre Research Lead Prof. Matthew Storey
matthew.storey@unimelb.edu.au