Research at the Mabo Centre
Application of FPIC
The Mabo Centre’s major research project focuses on the application of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Much of the Centre’s work towards supporting self-determined, economically empowered First Nations communities requires the principle of FPIC to become embedded in the ways that industry negotiates, government develops policy, and the legal system interprets its obligations.
This project will undertake a comprehensive research program across five themes, with the outcomes shared with Traditional Owners, proponents, and government.


Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements (ATNS) database
The Mabo Centre, alongside Terri Janke and Company and Melbourne Database Analytics Platform (UoM), are working to redevelop the existing Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements (ATNS) database.
Through application of a more practical lens, the database redevelopment will support greater access and engagement with available resources and tools for small to medium sized Traditional Owner corporations.
Eminent Visiting Fellow program
The Mabo Centre’s Eminent Visiting Fellow program invites senior Traditional Owners, First Nations leaders, established and emerging Indigenous researchers and academics whose work focuses on First Nations economic empowerment to collaborate with leading academics and experts to advance research, policy, and practice in support of culturally strong, economically self-determined First Nations communities.

