Graduate Research (PhD & Postdoctoral)

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

Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health has set a strong foundation toward establishing a new generation of Indigenous health leaders and researchers. Based at the University of Melbourne, a global leader in higher education, we offer Indigenous-led programs that build Indigenous health leadership capital and create academic pathways for PhD and post-doctoral achievement and research impact.

Reinterpretation of cytotoxic lymphocytes in art that represents Indigenous culture, community and the health sciences. By Nichole Adler and Kristi Roberts

The Peeneeyt Thanampool (Strong Women) Aunty Joan Vickery and Aunty Angela Clarke MDHS Indigenous Post-doctoral Fellowship

The Fellowship aims to support the next generation of Indigenous researchers who will actively contribute to translational health research and/or address critical health issues facing Indigenous communities. The Fellows will contribute to and enrich the Faculty’s diverse scholarly community and strengthen our existing local and global Indigenous research community. To further support international research pathways and networks, the Fellowship will also include the opportunity to work overseas.

Research at MDHS

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences have a number of Indigenous research teams and research projects across the schools.

This research plays a vital and meaningful role in advancing knowledge, promoting better health outcomes for Indigenous people, and addressing the health and wellbeing disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The faculty engages in a range of research initiatives that are led by and in partnership with Indigenous scholars, allies, communities, and organisations.
MDHS emphasises research that empowers Indigenous voices and supports self-determination, ensuring that outcomes are relevant and beneficial to the communities involved. Through collaborative, culturally responsive approaches, the faculty aims to contribute to improved health outcomes and social justice for Indigenous Australians.

MHDS Indigenous Global Strategy

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences (MDHS) is committed to advancing Indigenous health and education globally. Through the Indigenous Development portfolio, global engagement supports our MDHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspirations both locally and internationally.

MDHS is home to a range of global initiatives, through the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and work undertaken across six schools and numerous research centres, driving impactful programs, partnerships, and research. MDHS leverages global engagement to foster sustainable solutions, reflecting the University’s dedication to improving Indigenous health, education, and employment locally and worldwide.