What is the Moondani Toombadool Centre?

Established in 2018, the Moondani Toombadool Centre is responsible for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters at Swinburne, including governance, student services, teaching and learning, research, staff, culture, engagement and governance.

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Reconciliation at Swinburne

Swinburne also has the National Centre for Reconciliation Practice that leads national academic, industry and community understandings of reconciliation, and contributes to national systemic change in reconciliation.

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Swinburne Indigenous Studies Group

The Indigenous Studies Group (ISG) is a broad network of Swinburne academic and general staff and higher degree research students that are engaging with Indigenous Studies. Established in 2016, the Indigenous Studies Group helps to develop, support and foster Indigenous Studies teaching, research, engagement and community collaborations.

To join the Indigenous Studies Group or for further information, please email Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at jrevans@swinburne.edu.au.

2016–2019 seminars

11 April: Researching and Working with Indigenous Communities, presented by Dr Andrew Peters, Dr Emma Lee, Dr Justin Trounson and Professor Andrew Gunstone

28 May: Indigenous Online Learners Experience, presented by Ash Francisco

19 November: Caring for Country inside the Illegal Clearing, presented by Mat Jakobi.

24 April: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Initiatives, presented by Dr Justin Trounson

1 June: The rapidly growing world of Indigenous Astronomy, presented by Dr Duane Hamacher and Krystal De Napoli

4 December: Reconciliation Action Plans – Origins, Trends and Innovations, presented by Charlotte Lloyd

9 March: Indigenous Studies Projects Showcase, presented by Professor Josie Arnold, Dr Samantha Edwards-Vandenhoek, Dr Karen Hughes, Dr Andrew Peters and Dr Justin Trounson

2 June: How do Indigenous Australians read the stars, presented by Dr Duane Hamacher

31 August: Indigenous staff and students at Swinburne, presented by Professor Andrew Gunstone and Dr Justin Trounson

14 September: Astronomy in the Classic Maya Period, presented by Professor Javier Mujeto

2 June: Indigenous Research, presented by Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney

26 July: Indigenous Knowledge Hub, presented by Professor Josie Arnold

23 September: The Dark Side of Indigenous Enterprise, presented by Professor Dennis Foley

1 December: Indigenous Research Ethics, presented by Andrew Peters and Professor Andrew Gunstone

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Fellowship Scheme

This scheme awards a fellowship grant, mentorship, research training and career development to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher each year.

The Swinburne Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Fellowship Scheme awards one three-year postdoctoral fellowship per year to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher. The recipient will undertake full-time research in a field that broadly aligns with one of Swinburne’s six research institutes:


Successful applicants will be supported by a fellowship grant, mentorship, research training and personal career development.

For enquiries, please email Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at jrevans@swinburne.edu.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Research Award Scheme

This scheme funds an annual stipend and mentoring to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander postgraduate student each year. The Swinburne Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Research Award Scheme awards one three-year award per year to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander postgraduate student. The recipient will undertake full-time study in a field that broadly aligns with one of Swinburne’s six research institutes:


Successful applicants will be supported by a stipend and mentoring.

For enquiries, please email Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at jrevans@swinburne.edu.au.

Centre news

Find more news articles about Indigenous research. 

Have any questions?

To contact the Moondani Toombadool Centre, please email Jessica Berry at jeberry@swinburne.edu.au.

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