A cross-disciplinary team from Griffith University—Professor Peter Anderson, Dr Thu Pham, Mr Ashley Fox and Ms Angela Bautista—has received the ACGR Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Indigenous Excellence and Empowerment for their sustained, evidence-based leadership in transforming support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDR candidates.

Spanning more than five years and two institutions, the team’s research and initiatives have reshaped how universities support Indigenous HDR students. Their work—delivered through the Indigenous HDR Capacity Building Hub and the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network—has led to practical change, including the creation of tailored academic roles, structured mentoring, cultural safety frameworks, and supervisor training. These initiatives have since been replicated across multiple Australian institutions​.

Grounded in research with 113 Indigenous HDR students and 34 supervisors, their approach challenges deficit-based models and positions Indigenous voices at the centre of graduate research. Their impact has been shared through peer-reviewed publications, national policy forums, and international networks. Together, the team has demonstrated how Indigenous-led collaboration can create systemic change—building culturally safe environments where Indigenous HDR candidates can thrive, lead, and succeed on their own terms.