Indigenous artwork depicting reconciliation across UQ.s main campuses

Reconciliation at UQ

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Australians. For over 65,000 years, they’ve created and shared knowledge, culture, history and language.

We commit to uniting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and communities in our teaching, learning, research and collaborations, so we all belong at UQ.

Our plans for reconciliation

We launched our initial Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2019, which helped us develop relationships with stakeholders and pilot strategies for achieving our commitments.

In 2024, we launched our new ‘Stretch’ RAP to expand and develop our initiatives. We hope to enable Indigenous excellence by crafting strategies that last and introducing performance indicators that matter, including Indigenous employment, research, procurement, cultural education, Indigenising our curriculum, and RAP governance.

Read our Stretch RAP plan

A Welcome to Country smoke ceremony

Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country protocols for UQ staff

Incorporating a Welcome to Country and a Acknowledgement of Country into meetings and events recognises Indigenous peoples as First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land. Our guidelines for staff (login required) explain when to use them.

External agencies and resources

Reconciliation Australia

The national peak body for reconciliation across Australia, promoting reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Universities Australia Indigenous Strategy 2022-2025

The 2022-2025 Strategy provides the higher education sector with common goals to improve Indigenous higher education outcomes.

Good Practices Guidelines

The Australian Council of Graduate Research 'Good Practice Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Education' aims to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led research (PDF, 2.3MB).

NATSIHEC

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium advocates for Indigenous access, scholarship and research in higher education.

AIATSIS

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a world-renowned research, collections and publishing organisation.

The Queensland Commitment

The Queensland Commitment delivers evidence-based strategies to break down barriers to higher education and transform the state.

Celebrating and exploring

Each year, we participate in 2 important opportunities for Australians to learn about and celebrate Indigenous histories, cultures and achievements.

Forgan Smith building lit in red at night

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At UQ, we run a program of events designed to help you explore reconciliation.
Professor Megan Davis

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week allows all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and to celebrate the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Through events held at UQ, you can support and get to know Indigenous communities.

Do you have questions?

We're here to help.

Contact us