The Centre for Indigenous People and Work (CIPW) is a self-determined, joint initiative of the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research and the UTS Business School that aims to address systemic inequities experienced by lndigenous Australians in the labour and employment markets, including racism, underemployment, and exclusion from leadership positions. The Centre seeks to reclaim the Indigenous employment narrative through rigorous, industry-based lndigenous-led research, consulting, and partnerships with other stakeholders in the employment community, focusing on policy formulation, law reform and workplace-based solutions.
About us
Why we exist
The intent of the CIPW is to change the current narrative by creating a recognisable, self-determined centre to reclaim and redevelop the lndigenous employment narrative utilising lndigenous-led research and partnerships to rewrite perceptions of lndigenous employment and its future.
CIPW shares and embodies our cultural principles of listening deeply and respectfully to our fellow First Nations Peoples, and applying these principles in the contemporary policy environment, creating a joint narrative of experiences and aspirations and self-determining our future to achieve localised success for mob across the country.
Why this is important
The lndigenous employment narrative is primarily told by non-lndigenous peoples, perpetuating foundations of indentured employment (both formal and informal), an absence of fair wages and fair working conditions, and exclusion from the labour and employment markets more generally, except at the very low skill, low pay level and an absence of expectation of quality work and opportunity for job and career development.
CIPW’s role is to reclaim the Indigenous employment narrative, ensuring it is self determined and tells the real, lived experiences of First Nations workers.
Who we are
Our Centre Director, Professor Nareen Young, is Associate Dean, lndigenous Engagement and Leadership, UTS Business School and Professor, Indigenous Policy (Indigenous Workforce Diversity), Jumbunna Institute. Nareen is one of Australia’s leading and most respected workplace diversity practitioners, thinkers and influencers. Nareen was first a trade union official and represented women’s employment interests on the Executives of both the ACTU and Unions NSW during this time, lead and managed two Diversity peak bodies (Diversity Council Australia and NSW Working Women’s Centre), with enormous impact and success for nearly 15 years and was then Director and Employment Lead at a large lndigenous consulting firm for three years. She is an Aboriginal descendant from the Sydney area through the Fowler family.
Joshua Gilbert, Assistant Director, is a socially and commercially focused, Worimi man with extensive experience across lndigenous affairs, the environmental sector and sustainable agriculture. Josh has conducted over a decade of research in the Indigenous employment sector.
Our Centre is Indigenous-led and supported by an external Indigenous Advisory Council:
- Tanya Hosch (Chair)
- Glen Brennan
- Kate Russell
- Dr Lisa Conway
- Karen Iles
- Lara Watson
- Micelle Purdy
- Samantha Webster
- Kelly Williams
- Darren Hammond
- Trent Williams
- Associate Professor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer
Drawn from the range of practice across the Indigenous employment community.
How we work - our values and ethical policy
The CIPW drives significant policy change and law reform with rigorous, lndigenous- led research. It fills a critical data gap that has historically excluded First Nations voices. This focus on external engagement allows the Centre to influence not only Australian public policy but also to serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar issues regarding lndigenous employment and labour market inclusion. Through consulting, research, and advocacy, the CIPW facilitates long-term partnerships and collaborations that create pathways to fairer, more inclusive workplaces on both a National and international scale.
Our research and practice are conducted with appropriate ethical approvals and in adherence with the highest ethical standards.
Explore our research
The Centre for Indigenous People and Work team has capabilities, expertise and experience working across the broader Indigenous employment sector, ensuring Indigenous voices are prioritised. Our work spans across corporates, academia, not for profits and unions.
Our key research topics
The Centre for Indigenous People and Work has experience and expertise across:
- Academia
- Including the development of Indigenous employment research methodology.
- Employment research
- Conducting the largest, Indigenous-led, survey of First Nations experiences at work through Gari Yala (external link) also gendered insights and Rainbow mob.
- Workplace and sector engagement
- Working with corporates, academia, not for profits and unions to build Indigenous employment capability.
Our capabilities and services
The CIPW offers specialised consulting services to businesses, organisations and government bodies. These services focus on improving engagement with lndigenous communities, enhancing workplace diversity and inclusion, and integrating lndigenous knowledge systems and workplace experiences into organisational practices.
Our current projects: