Eminent Visiting Fellow Program

Join the Mabo Centre as an Eminent Visiting Fellow and collaborate with leading academics and 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, First Nations leaders, established and emerging Indigenous researchers and academics whose work focuses on First Nations economic empowerment.
Use your expertise and wisdom 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.

EOIs from both national and international applicants are encouraged. Program duration is six months, and acceptance into the program is competitive - places are limited in any given period.

Submit your expression of interest.

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What the program offers

We offer Visiting Fellows a scholarly, collaborative environment, with access to expert support and opportunities to advance impactful research.

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 - your research outputs could 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 acceptance, 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.

Submit your expression of interest.

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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 program’s duration. Outputs may be undertaken independently or in collaboration with the Centre’s researchers and other Visiting Fellows.
We also encourage Visiting Fellows to participate in the Centre’s training and engagement activities during their time with the Centre.

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:

  • academic standing;
  • 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.

Submit your expression of interest.

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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

Submit your expression of interest.