- Posted on 7 May 2025
- 2-minute read
It’s time to reclaim the narrative of the First Nations workforce.
Building on the world first research from the Jumbunna Indigenous People and Work Hub, UTS newly launched Centre for Indigenous People and Work aims to create a recognisable, self-determined centre that reclaims and redevelops the narrative and speaks from the real, lived experiences of First Nations workers.
Key takeaways
- There is shockingly little data on employment, workplace culture, and economic participation of Indigenous people.
- The Centre for Indigenous People and Work is a pioneering research centre dedicated to advancing the understanding and improvement of work conditions and opportunities for Indigenous communities.
- Gari Yala 2.0 is a world-first survey and Indigenous-led study designed by and for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people closes 31 May.
The University of Technology Sydney is proud to announce the launch of the Centre for Indigenous People and Work (CIPW), a pioneering research centre dedicated to advancing the understanding and improvement of work conditions and opportunities for Indigenous communities.
The CIPW aims to address critical issues related to employment, workplace culture, and economic participation of Indigenous people. By fostering collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and Indigenous communities, the centre seeks to develop innovative solutions that promote equity and inclusion in the workforce.
Dean of UTS Business School Professor Carl Rhodes said the new research centre aims to address systemic inequities experienced by Indigenous Australians in the labour and employment markets, including racism, underemployment, and exclusion from leadership positions.
Building upon UTS Business School’s commitment to social justice and equity, this new Centre will be uniquely positioned to support Indigenous-led research and partnerships that drive meaningful change in the employment landscape.
Professor Nareen Young, the Centre’s inaugural Director, brings a wealth of experience and high-calibre expertise in workplace diversity and Indigenous employment and has been a leading figure in advocating for Indigenous workforce diversity having recently launched Gari Yala 2.0.
One of the centre’s current projects, it invites Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees across Australia to share their workplace experiences. The recently released survey is a world-first, Indigenous-led study is designed by and for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, responses close 31st of May.
“We aim to do that through rigorous, industry-based Indigenous-led research, consulting and partnerships with other stakeholders in the employment community, focusing on policy formulation, law reform and workplace-based solutions. We are Indigenous people who have long experience in employment practice. We are researchers. We employ Indigenous research methodology.” said Professor Young.
Our goal is to create a recognisable, self-determined Centre that reclaims and redevelops the narrative and speaks from the real, lived experiences of First Nations workers.
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.
If you’re interested in expert advice, workplace research, Indigenous employment design and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation research, reach out to the CIPW.
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