23 August 2023
Three exceptional new Indigenous Research Associates are launching their academic careers with the NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub through a unique collaboration between the University of Western Australia (UWA) and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. The joint initiative is providing a valuable opportunity for the associates to undertake higher degrees by research while working for the hub.
Two of three new Indigenous Research Associates, Shandell Cummings and Lenore Morris. Photo: UWA Media.
Shandell Cummings, Lenore Morris and Aidan Mitchell will boost the Indigenous research capacity of Australian environmental science.
Their projects will align with hub priorities and support opportunities for incorporating traditional knowledge and cultural insights into environmental conservation.
One of the newly appointed associates, Lenore Morris, spoke passionately about her appointment, saying, ‘Being part of the NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub is a great opportunity to further my knowledge in western science and traditional knowledges. There’s so much to learn from Australia’s Indigenous peoples so I’m keen to apply our knowledges to my research where I can. I’m also excited to join the growing cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in this space’.
The hub’s recently appointed Indigenous Research Facilitator Oliver Tester, a proud Noongar man and former graduate of UWA, welcomed the initiative saying, ‘It’s great to have these passionate Indigenous researchers joining us in the Resilient Landscapes Hub, sharing their knowledge and experience’.
‘Our ancestors have sustainably managed Country for thousands of years by applying Indigenous science and so it’s really exciting to have new Indigenous researchers building on that legacy,’ he said.
Left to right: Professor Michael Douglas (NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Hub Leader), Oliver Tester (NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Indigenous Research Facilitator), Professor Samantha Setterfield (NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Western Node Leader), Shandell Cummings (NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Research Associate), Lenore Morris (NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Research Associate), Dr Brett Molony (Science Director, CSIRO ), Dr Laila Simpson (Associate Director of Research Operations, Office of Research, UWA), Associate Professor Matt Hipsey (UWA School of Agriculture and Environment). Photo: UWA Media.The 3 new Research Associates and Indigenous Research Facilitator are a significant boost to Indigenous representation within the Resilient Landscapes Hub. Hub Leader, UWA Professor Michael Douglas thanked the initiative partners and acknowledged the importance of having Indigenous people directly contributing to the work of the hub.
‘This excellent initiative has been made possible thanks to the dedication and collaboration between the CSIRO and UWA. I’m delighted that we could make this happen’.
‘It’s great to have strong Indigenous representation within the hub and staff members who can provide Indigenous perspectives to directly inform how we design and implement our research’, he said.
The appointments are a significant step towards establishing a network of Indigenous academics in the field of environmental research.
Want to know more about the Resilient Landscapes Hub's activities and our research into practical solutions to environmental problems? Stay informed about activities, research, publications, events and more through the Hub newsletter.
