Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement)
Professor Steve Larkin
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement)
"We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Kaurna people, the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we gather on. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of the Kaurna people to country and we respect and value their past, present and ongoing connection to the land and cultural beliefs."
The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) is responsible for leading the University of Adelaide’s strategic and operational commitments to enhancing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in higher education.
This involves providing strategic leadership in relation to the Indigenisation of the University of Adelaide's programs, the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and perspectives, the promotion of teaching and research in Indigenous studies, the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and engagement with Indigenous communities.
Leadership: Professor Steve Larkin, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement)
Contact: Alison Birbeck, Executive Officer
The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) oversees Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, research and employment. The PVC(IE) also holds the role of Director, Wirltu Yarlu, providing leadership and management to the Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education centre in Indigenous student engagement at the University of Adelaide.
Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education
Wirltu Yarlu is responsible for engaging with and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as providing support to students during their time at the University of Adelaide. They provide culturally appropriate support and academic mentoring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and support them to access tertiary education through various pathway programs, including Marni Wingku, the Karnkanthi Indigenous Education Program and the Access Pathway.
Wirltu Yarlu also supports the broader University to better understand Indigenous cultures and histories through the delivery of the Indigenous Knowledges Major and employment of two Kaurna Cultural Advisors.
Contact: wirltu.yarlu@adelaide.edu.au or +61 8 8313 3623
Indigenous education
The Tarrkarri Tirrka (Future Learning) strategy brings all parts of the University together, under the cultural leadership of Wirltu Yarlu and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), to better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and education. The Strategy was formally launched on Monday 18th November 2013, with the mid-point review released in December 2019.
Indigenous employment
The University of Adelaide aims to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our campuses through the offering of employment opportunities and cadetships and by setting a bold population parity target of 2% participation by 2024. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy works within and alongside the Tarrkarri Tirrka (Future Learning) Integrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy.
Indigenous research
The University is committed to raising the profile of Indigenous research and strengthening the number of researchers in the area of Indigenous research. This involves increasing the number of Indigenous researchers and research students through the provision of pathways, support and resources and ensuring that non-Indigenous undertake research in a culturally appropriate and consultative way.
Wirltu Yarlu’s Aboriginal Research Footprint highlights the diverse range of Indigenous research produced within the University of Adelaide.
Reconciliation
The University has an ongoing commitment to reconciliation through the creation of an environment where Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians can learn, teach and research alongside one another from a basis of mutual respect and understanding. The University of Adelaide launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Yangadlitya (translating to “for the future”), on Wednesday 18th September 2019. Yangadlitya (RAP) is a formal statement of commitment to reconciliation, and a structured approach under the three pillars of Respect, Relationship and Opportunities.