Growing learning dispositions in Indigenous studies

Ailie McDowall; Dianna Hardy; Vincent  Backhaus; Kyly Mills; Felecia Watkin Lui

doi:10.55146/ajie.v52i2.678

Authors

Ailie McDowall Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4737-3563
Dianna Hardy Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0182-0276
Vincent Backhaus Cairns Institute, James Cook University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3376-8089
Kyly Mills Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University
Felecia Watkin Lui Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8402-3650

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55146/ajie.v52i2.678

Keywords:

Indigenous Studies, higher education, learning dispositions, cultural interface

Abstract

Indigenous studies has come a long way. In this paper, we share some bold steps we have taken to develop a learning process that situates Indigenous people as a people of place, a people of knowledge and a people of science. This teaching disengages students from learning about Indigenous people as remnants of the past. We extend earlier conversations by focusing on the development of learning dispositions which enable students to better navigate the complexities of the interface between Indigenous and non-Indigenous ideas. This reflection on practice contributes to ongoing discussions about the establishment of Indigenous studies as a discipline.

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Author Biographies

Ailie McDowall, Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University

Dr Ailie McDowall is an emerging scholar of the cultural interface proposition between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and an early career academic at the Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University. She has published widely in teaching and learning areas and her current research interest is in extending the interface scholarship to the education of research students.

Dianna Hardy, Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University

Dr Dianna Hardy is a Senior Lecturer in the Indigenous Education and Research Centre at James Cook University. She uses cultural interface theory to inform her research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and leverages her IT and co-design skills to assist community members in developing projects that improve social and emotional wellbeing.

Vincent Backhaus, Cairns Institute, James Cook University

Dr Vincent Backhaus is a Kalkadoon, Kiwai and Malaita man undertaking a research fellowship with The Cairns Institute in marine governance alignments with traditional owner values, priorities and needs. Through the JCU-CSIRO partnership he also contributes to the Indigenous Education and Research Centre vision to build Indigenous research capacity. His research interests explore knowledge translation, traditional knowledges and institutional systems.

Kyly Mills, Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University

Dr Kyly Mills is a Kamilaroi woman and an early career academic at the Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University. Dr Mills has contributed widely to ongoing academic discussions about the teaching of Indigenous topics in higher education through research and practice, and is expanding her work to consider how the cultural interface can support learning and change in these environments.

Felecia Watkin Lui, Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University

Dr Felecia Watkin Lui is a Torres Strait Islander woman with giz (ancestral roots) from Erub and Mabuiag. She is an Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies and Head of the Indigenous Teaching Program at the Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University.

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