Welcome
Our team is committed to supporting emerging Indigenous Adamics, researchers and health workforce, from the moment they start our courses, until they graduate and beyond.
The Indigenous Development portfolio is dedicated to supporting the recruitment and graduation of Indigenous students in order to cultivate a sustainable Indigenous workforce.
The Faculty's diverse expertise and knowledge, along with the expanding Indigenous leadership within the academic and student communities, contribute to its collective strength. This commitment to place and community fosters a more inclusive environment for research, teaching, and learning, grounded in Indigenous and global perspectives. This approach aims to inspire and enhance the Indigenous student experience.
Contact us / Our team
Truth Telling in Health and The Renaming Project
The University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) are deeply committed to truth-telling and reconciliation. As outlined in Dhoombak Goobgoowana: Vol. 1, the de-naming and renaming of spaces are critical steps in confronting harmful colonial legacies, including connections to systemic racism and the eugenics movement. Through this project, we seek to develop an inclusive and integrated approach that invites our entire community to truthfully acknowledge the past and walk together toward a future built on equity, healing, and shared responsibility. These actions not only honour the histories and voices that have long been marginalised but also promote meaningful reflection and dialogue—supporting our ongoing journey toward a more just and inclusive University.
Reports and Publications
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences' support for Indigenous health, education, and leadership is guided by several strategic plans, including:The work of the Indigenous Development team is informed by several strategic plans, including
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Advancing Health 2030
The new strategic plan for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences.
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Murmuk Djerring
The University of Melbourne Indigenous Strategy 2023 - 2027.
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Sharing Knowledge and Future Leaders—Indigenous Development
Outlines our Faculty's efforts to contribute sustainably to better health, education, and living standards for Indigenous Australians.
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A Uniquely Australian Faculty
Outlines some of the many ways we have worked and continue to work towards reconciliation across the Faculty: from our employment practices to our teaching programs
Header artwork note: The header artwork combines an image of white blood cells destroying cancerous target cells and an illustration representing generations of people sustained by the Myrnong (yam daisy) - a historical staple food of Indigenous people, bringing together Indigenous culture, community and the health sciences. The artwork is the product of a collaboration between Shawana Andrews, Misty Jenkins, Nichole Allder and Kristi Roberts.
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for Indigenous students. We offer tailored programs, resources, and pathways to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students thrive academically and personally throughout their studies.
From dedicated support staff to culturally safe learning spaces and scholarships, our goal is to empower the next generation of Indigenous health professionals and leaders. Through strong partnerships with communities and alignment with the University’s Murmuk Djerring Indigenous Strategy and Advancing Students and Education Strategy, we continue to build a more equitable and representative future in health and education
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MDHS Indigenous Student Mobility and Engagement Grant (ISMEG)
ISMEG provides up to $2,000 for domestic and $5,000 for international travel to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander MDHS students. Funding covers placements, conferences, electives, and community projects that build academic and leadership skills.
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Indigenous Pathways to Study
There are a number of Indigenous specific pathways to study at The University of Melbourne. This page outlines the courses that include an Indigenous pathway and directs you to the appropriate contacts for assistance.
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MDHS Indigenous Student Success Team
We provide a range of supports for our prospective and current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
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Accommodation
Choose to live near or on the Parkville campus in one of the University's student accommodation options.
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Scholarships
The University of Melbourne offers a range of scholarships and bursaries specifically designed to support Indigenous students, each with its own eligibility criteria and benefits.
Our graduate research programs play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indigenous health workforce and nurturing the next generation of Indigenous researchers. The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health provides dedicated support for all Indigenous PhD students across the Faculty, ensuring a strong foundation for their academic and professional success.
The Indigenous Development team offers tailored support for Postdoctoral Fellows through the Peeneeyt Thanampool (Strong Women) Aunty Joan Vickery and Aunty Angela Clarke MDHS Indigenous Post-doctoral Fellowship .
The newly created Melbourne Indigenous Research Accelerator (MIRA) Program is a collaborative initiative between the MDHS Indigenous Development Portfolio and the MDHS Research Portfolio, is open to Indigenous graduate researchers and Indigenous early career researchers. Our mission is to inspire and support Indigenous researchers by enhancing their skills, promoting research careers, and training the next generation of Indigenous health and research leaders.
These initiatives empower Indigenous scholars, foster leadership, discovery, and the advancement of Indigenous health research in both local and global contexts.
Here are a few of our graduate researchers speaking about their work.
Featured content
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) is proud to host the largest number of Indigenous-focused research units and institutes across the University of Melbourne. These include a range of dedicated Institutes, Centres, and Programs working in partnership with communities to drive impactful, community-led research and health outcomes.
Our Faculty is also home to a diverse network of academic experts across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Many of these scholars have deep expertise in Indigenous health, wellbeing, policy, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
Our Units / Institutes
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Onemda
An Indigenous group specialising in public health this a focus on research and teaching aimed at improving health and wellbeing outcomes in Australia and elsewhere through partnerships, collaborations and strong ethical foundations
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Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit
Indigenous Eye Health undertake world-leading research developing an evidence base and policy framework and then to implement systems reform and health promotion that supported improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander eye health in Australia
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Indigenous Health Equity Unit
A research and teaching unit at The University of Melbourne committed to partnering with and producing research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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Indigenous Studies Unit
Undertakes research aiming to improve outcomes in Indigenous health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to alcohol misuse and family violence, Indigenous data governance, digital archives, cultural heritage, technology and resource management.
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Wurru Wurru Health Unit
Aims to advance the health of First Nations peoples in Australia to reduce inequity and create positive change. Our teaching and research is centred on the holistic view of health of First Nations peoples to promote wellbeing, underpinned by the principles of self-determination
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Indigenous Epidemiology and Health
The Indigenous Epidemiology and Health Unit is led by Professor Sandra Eades. Their research spans key health areas across the life course—including perinatal, child, adolescent, mental, cardio-metabolic, physical disability, and brain health. Using a mix of study designs, they focus on understanding and addressing the health burden among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Their work is strengths-based and guided by Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
Featured content
Events
Here you will find the latest information on Indigenous Development events at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
News
Senior Academics
Professor Shawana Andrews
Poche
Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences
Professor Marcia Langton
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Professor Catherine Chamberlain
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Our Staff
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Title
Name
School
Email
Dr
William Abur
Social Work
william.abur@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Amali Andrews
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
andrews.a@unimelb.edu.au
Prof
Shawana Andrews
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
shawanaa@unimelb.edu.au
A/Prof
Caroline Lisbeth Atkinson
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
carolinelisbeth.atkinson@unimelb.edu.au
Kylee Bellingham
Medicine - St Vincent's Hospital
kylee.bellingham@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Todd Bennett
Medical Education
tj.bennett@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Ngaree Blow
Medical Education
ngaree.b@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Joel Bones
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
j.bones@unimelb.edu.au
Prof
Catherine Chamberlain
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
cacham@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Andrea Clarke
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
andrea.clarke@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Edwina Coghlan
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Royal Women's Hospital/Mercy
edwina.coghlan@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Stephen Corporal
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
stephen.corporal@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Jordan Cory
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
j.cory@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Shay-Lee Coulson
Medicine - Royal Melbourne Hospital
shaylee.coulson@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Shani Crumpen
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
shani.crumpen@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Tileah Drahm-Butler
Social Work
drahmt@unimelb.edu.au
Prof
Sandra Eades
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
sandra.eades@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Tahlia Eastman
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
tahlia.eastman@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
David Gallant
Social Work
david.gallant@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Wendy Hermeston
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
wendy.hermeston@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Madelyne Hudson-Buhagiar
Medical Education
madelyne.hudson@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Ray Kelly
Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, Medicine – Austin Health
ray.kelly@unimelb.edu.au
Prof
Marcia Langton
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
m.langton@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Sarah Large
Collaborative Practice Centre
sarah.large@unimelb.edu.au
Mrs
Ann Macrae
Social Work
macrae.a@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Kristy Meiselbach
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
kristy.meiselbach@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Patrick Mercer
Melbourne Dental School
patrick.mercer@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Emily Munro-Harrison
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
emily.munro@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Philip Orcher
General Practice and Primary Care
phillip.orcher@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Daniel Perkins
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
d.perkins@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Jessica Power
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
power.j@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Amber Sherriff
Centre for Youth Mental Health
amber.sherriff@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Julia Smith
Paediatrics Royal Children's Hospital
julia.smith1@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Skye Stewart
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
skye.stewart@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Shaun Tatipata
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
shaun.tatipata@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Sean Taylor
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
sean.taylor.1@unimelb.edu.au
A/Prof
Alasdair Vance
Paediatrics Royal Children's Hospital
avance@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Justine Whitby
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
justine.whitby@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Annabelle White
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
bella.white@unimelb.edu.au
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Title
Name
School
Email
Mr
Bradley Anderson
General Practice and Primary Care
brad.anderson@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Kerrie Armstrong
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Miss
Hayley Barker
General Practice and Primary Care
hayley.barker@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Jessie Barnes-Hill
Rural Health
j.barneshill@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Walter Bathern
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Mr
Brett Beckhurst
Paediatrics Royal Children's Hospital
Ms
Kim Lai Bell
Microbiology and Immunology
kl.bell@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Shayne Bellingham
VCCC Alliance
shayne.bellingham@vcccalliance.org.au
Miss
Avanah Brettschneider
Medical Education
avanah.brettschneider@unimelb.edu.au
Kathryn Bowie
General Practice and Primary Care
kathryn.bowie@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Natasha Chandler
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
natasha.chandler.1@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Janaya Charles
Medicine - Royal Melbourne Hospital
Miss
Cassandra Clarke
Rural Health
cassandra.clarke@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Levi - Craig Murray
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
levi.murray@unimelb.edu.au
Joel Davis
General Practice and Primary Care
joel.davis1@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Harold Douglas
Medicine - Royal Melbourne Hospital
harry.douglas@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Jasmin Ehlert
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Jasmin.boys@unimelb.edu.au
Mrs
Catherine Garlett
Medical Education
cathy.garlett@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Liam Jensen
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
liam.jensen@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Lesley Martin
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
lesley.martin@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Ashtyn Nixon Atkinson
Rural Health
ashtyn.nixonatkinson@unimelb.edu.au
Mr
Warwick Padgham
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
warwick.padgham@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Alice Pettit
Rural Health, Medical Education
alice.pettit@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Makkaillah Ridgeway
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
makkaillah.ridgeway@unimelb.edu.au
Mrs
Kristi Roberts
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
kristi.roberts@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Ruby Shepherd
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
ruby.shepherd@unimelb.edu.au
Miss
Jessica Sturk
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
jess.sturk@unimelb.edu.au
Ms
Jessica Taylor
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
jessica.taylor5@unimelb.edu.au
Peeneeyt Thanampool Postdoctoral Fellows
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Title
Name
School
Email
Miss
Brooke Conley
Physiotherapy
brooke.conley@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Tui Crumpen
Rural Health
tcrumpen@unimelb.edu.au
MS
Karyn Ferguson
Melbourne Medical School
karynf@unimelb.edu.au
Rachel Joyce
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
rachel.joyce@unimelb.edu.au
Dr
Raylene Nixon
Rural Health
rnixon@unimelb.edu.au
