UQ's Reconciliation Journey
How we got here
Our vision for reconciliation at UQ is not a one-time goal, but is embedded in who we are and how we operate. We commit to continually reflecting, learning and being held accountable, as well as adapting our Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) as our community's needs and hopes change.
In 2019, we began with our Innovate RAP, which helped us develop relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and pilot strategies for achieving our reconciliation commitments.
Now, in 2024, we hope our Stretch RAP will expand and develop our initiatives. We'll seek 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.
Who led the way
UQ's Stretch RAP Working Group is our RAP's governing body. The working group is responsible for developing, implementing and reporting on UQ's RAP, and has employees from across UQ, including senior leadership and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
The group was instrumental in developing UQ’s Stretch RAP – offering their time to work through the complexities of constructing content that will guide us through reconciliation.
| Name | Title and unit | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Bronwyn Fredericks | Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) | Co-Chair |
| Professor Norm Sheehan | UQ Honorary Professor and Co-Chair RAP Oversight Committee | Co-Chair |
| Professor Tracey Bunda | Academic Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit | Member |
| Professor Lydia Kavanagh | Deputy President of the Academic Board, Office of the President of the Board (Delegate of Professor Craig Franklin) | Member (Delegated) |
| Professor Alan Rowan (or nominated delegate) | Director, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology | Member |
| Prof Lisa Ruhanen | Business School Director of Teaching and Learning (Delegate for Polly Parker) | Member (Delegated) |
| Professor Nick Shaw | Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Medicine | Member |
| Dr Marc Kamke | Director of Research Ethics and Integrity Research Ethics and Integrity | Member |
| Dr Clare Hourigan | Director, Planning and Business Intelligence, Office of the Chief Operating Officer | Member |
| Ms Janey Saunders | Director, Office of the Provost | Member |
| Mr Jeremy Crowley | Director, Corporate Operations, Office of the Chief Operating Officer | Member |
| Ms Caroline Williams | University Chief Librarian, UQ Library | Member |
| Ms Tara Turner | Global and Institutional Philanthropy, Advancement and Community Engagement | Member |
| Angus McRae | Student Union President (2024) | Member |
| Lachlan Bon | Goorie Berrimpa nominated representative | Member |
| Mr Francis Nona | UQ Alumni representative | Member |
| Mr Terry Bell | Senior Manager, Indigenous Engagement, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation | Member |
| Professor Craig Franklin | President of the Academic Board, Office of the President of the Board | Member |
| Mr Richard Lee | UQ Student Union representative | Member |
For any UQ staff developing an Implementation Plan to support the Stretch RAP and who would value guidance, mentoring and advocacy support, please email the RAP Office at uqrap@uq.edu.au. They will connect you with the working group, who will happily assist you.
Who joined us
Our Stretch RAP was developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure they had a genuine voice in the decisions that affect them. It's the work of many people, including over 400 staff and students who participated in 16 workshops.
In addition, we consulted with Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of various UQ governance groups, including the Heads of School Forum, the Academic Board, UQ Senior Executive Team, Senate Committee for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and the UQ Senate as the governing body of the University.
What we learnt from our Innovate RAP
The approaches we developed in implementing our Innovate RAP have informed and enhanced our Stretch RAP initiatives.
We met distinct challenges in developing our Innovate RAP, including COVID-19 and floods, which necessitated a shift to online connections. However, these experiences helped create new opportunities to connect, share, and learn, now embedded in many aspects of our Stretch RAP.
Similarly, the number of organisation units – the institutes, faculties and divisions – made it challenging to engage staff and students fully. However, we identified many passionate advocates committed to bringing our RAP to life.
Continuing our collaborations
In implementing our Stretch RAP, we'll continue to collaborate with more than 400 partners to provide opportunities for Indigenous students, including:
- UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Endowment Fund, which helps promising Indigenous students achieve their academic goals and aspirations
- Indigenous Basketball Australia, who work with a research team from UQ's School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, led by Dr Kai Wheeler, a proud Ngarabal man, to develop sporting, educational and cultural pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
- the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, who hold several Great Book Swap fundraising activities throughout the year.
The University will work towards achieving reconciliation as our lived reality through these and similar initiatives.