The University of Queensland (UQ) has secured its first Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) research grant since joining the global consortium earlier this year.
The project, ‘Forming an International Indigenous Doctoral Student and Supervisor Network,’ will use the £10,000 (AUD 21,300) grant to build a collaborative platform linking Indigenous doctoral students and supervisors across WUN universities.
Led by Associate Professor Hinekura Smith from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures and UQ’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, the initiative partners with the University of Auckland and the University of Alberta to strengthen global Indigenous research networks, foster mentorship, and promote equitable partnerships in higher education.
Associate Professor Smith said the project is about creating spaces where Indigenous knowledge systems are valued and supported globally.
“This network will enable Indigenous doctoral students and supervisors to connect, share experiences, and build relationships that honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being,” she said.
“It’s not just about academic success—it’s about creating a community that respects cultural identity, fosters belonging, and ensures Indigenous voices are heard in shaping research agendas worldwide.”
UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove said the grant, part of WUN’s Research Development Fund (RDF), highlights UQ’s commitment to building inclusive and globally connected research communities.
“By collaborating with partners across continents, we can amplify Indigenous voices in research and create meaningful pathways for future scholars,” he said.
In addition to this award, UQ researchers are contributing to eight other WUN RDF projects led by partner institutions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, further demonstrating UQ’s commitment to global collaboration.
- University of Auckland: Human-in-the-Loop Responsible AI for Medical Diagnosis and Decision-Making
- University of Bristol: A Socio-Technical Approach to Sustainability
- University of Cape Town: Shared Genomic Architecture of Schizophrenia and Type 2 Diabetes
- Mahidol University: Sustainable natural alternative to synthetic additives for food security
- Tecnológico de Monterrey: PolicyBridge: Policy Assessment & Reporting for Healthy, Sustainable Cities
- University of Pretoria: Timber Circularity: Affordable Housing Solutions from Waste and Disassembly
- Ruhr University Bochum: Africa-Focused Initiative for Just Energy Transition - AFFINITY-FORSIDES
- University of Technology Sydney: A new fit-for-purpose highly sensitive diagnostic test for preeclampsia
WUN is a network of 24 leading universities working together to address global challenges through collaborative research. Its Research Development Fund provides grants of up to £10,000 to seed projects that tackle issues such as social justice, sustainability, health, and ethical applications of AI.
