Advice from Indigenous early career researchers: Indigenous futurity in Australian universities

Rhonda Povey; Michelle  Trudgett; Susan  Page; Michelle Locke

doi:10.55146/ajie.v54i2.1952

Authors

Rhonda Povey Western Sydney University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2155-2926
Michelle Trudgett Western Sydney University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6022-0169
Susan Page Western Sydney University
Michelle Locke Western Sydney University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1019-1184

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55146/ajie.v54i2.1952

Keywords:

Indigenous, early career researcher, challenges and successes, career development, Indigenous futurism, complexity theory

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a three-year, longitudinal qualitative study exploring the experiences of Indigenous early career researchers (ECRs) in Australian universities. It investigates the systemic challenges they face and the strategies they employ to build meaningful academic careers within a sector shaped by settler colonialism and racialised structures. Using complexity theory (CT) as a framework, the study highlights how Indigenous ECRs navigate and influence institutional systems, often acting as agents of reform. Participants demonstrate resilience and leadership, advocating for Indigenous equity, curriculum reform and cultural sovereignty. The concept of Indigenous futurity—imagining and enacting futures grounded in Indigenous values—is central to their efforts. Despite persistent barriers, these scholars are reshaping the academic landscape, challenging White futurity and laying foundations for transformative change in higher education.

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Author Biographies

Rhonda Povey, Western Sydney University

Dr Rhonda Povey is a non-Indigenous researcher, living and working on Dharug Country. She has extensive experience working and researching in the field of Indigenous education. Rhonda’s place-based thesis, The Proper-bad Lie: Aboriginal Responses to Western Education at Moola Bulla, 1910–1955, focused on rewriting colonial history of Aboriginal education in remote Australia and was well received with a commendation for the Chancellor’s award in 2020. She currently works as a Senior Research Associate at Western Sydney University with Professor Trudgett and Professor Page. The focus of Rhonda’s doctoral thesis, current research and employment is working and standing with Indigenous peoples in advancing equity and parity in Indigenous education.

Michelle Trudgett, Western Sydney University

Professor Michelle Trudgett is an Indigenous scholar from the Wiradjuri Nation in New South Wales. Michelle currently holds the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership at Western Sydney University. She has also held senior positions at the University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University. Michelle is currently the Chair of the Universities Australia Deputy/Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Committee. She also serves as a Board Member on the GO Foundation. Michelle has received a number of awards including the highly prestigious National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year Award, the Neville Bonner Award for Teaching Excellence and the University of New England Distinguished Alumni Award.

Susan Page, Western Sydney University

Professor Susan Page is a national teaching award-winning Aboriginal educator and Indigenous higher education specialist, who is currently Director of Indigenous Learning and Teaching at Western Sydney University. Susan’s research focuses on Indigenous Australian experiences of learning and academic work in higher education and student learning in Indigenous Studies. She has collaborated on multiple competitive research grants and is well published in Indigenous higher education. Susan has held several leadership positions including Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement), Centre Director and Head of Department, and she is currently an appointed Indigenous representative for the Universities Australia Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Committee.

Michelle Locke, Western Sydney University

Dr Michelle Locke is a very proud mum of two boys and a Western Sydney University alum. From January 2020 to December 2022 Michelle was employed firstly as a Professional Researcher and, following conferral of her PhD in 2021, as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership on the Developing Indigenous Early Career Researchers ARC project. In January 2023 Michelle commenced in the position of Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at Western Sydney University.

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