Identifying the Enablers and Barriers of Indigenous University Students Success
Tracks
William Magarey Room
Monday, October 24, 2022 |
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM |
Overview
Georgia Durmush & Christopher Duncan, Australian Catholic University
Speaker
Christopher Duncan
Australian Catholic University
Identifying the Enablers and Barriers of Indigenous University Students Success
Biography
Christopher is an Aboriginal man of Wiradjuri descent, and has been born and raised on Dharug. He is undertaking a Masters of Philosophy thesis with the Insititute of Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE) at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney, where he is also an Associate Lecturer (Indigenous) within the Faculty of Education and Arts. Christopher's thesis looks at what universities are doing to retain Indigenous students in Secondary Education degrees as a cross cultural study between Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America. His research interests include Indigenous initial teacher education, Indigenous conceptualisations and philosophies of wellbeing and Indigenous Histories.
Ms Georgia Durmush
Research Fellow
Australian Catholic University
Identifying the Enablers and Barriers of Indigenous University Students Success
Abstract
By 2030, the United Nations (UN) goal is for all Indigenous peoples to have quality education including tertiary education. Enduring inequalities in participation and international educational attainment exist, internationally, for Indigenous peoples in higher education (e.g., Australia, Canada, USA, and New Zealand). Hence, identifying factors associated with success at university among Indigenous people internationally is of critical significance to the wellbeing of future Indigenous university students. We conducted a systematic review of international research to synthesise extant research and identify research-derived drivers and barriers to Indigenous students’ university success. Key drivers and barriers were based on cultural, social, academic, psychological, and environmental factors. Findings of the synthesis highlight the importance of Indigenous students receiving academic, financial, psychological, and social support from higher education staff, peers, family, and community. Creating a sense of cultural belonging and cultural safety for Indigenous students was central to their university success and overall wellbeing. These findings have important implications for future educational wellbeing policy and practice.
Biography
Dr Georgia Durmush is a proud Wailwan and Gomeroi woman. She is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at the Australian Catholic University. Her PhD thesis specialised in First Nations youth wellbeing in higher education. Her research interests include: First Nations youth, higher education, Indigenous wellbeing, sociology, and Indigenous qualitative research methodology.