From 9–11 July, CEVAW researchers joined scholars from across the region for the 2025 Oceanic Conference on International Studies (OCIS), held on the traditional lands of the Bidjigal Peoples, at…
14 August 2026
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The Reciprocal Mentoring program is based on the Indigenous ethic of reciprocity – a tradition that is a fundamental responsibility for relationships with all life.
The concept of reciprocity describes Indigenous peoples’ ancient practice that draws from our interconnectedness with all our physical and social structures. Reciprocity has been a social adhesive for Indigenous peoples; it is the glue that has ensured our survival. Reciprocity is about sharing, about understanding that our survival depends on the dissemination of knowledge, of food, shelter, songs, art and stories and so forth.
The concept of the Program is described in Dharug language and Te Reo:
Bayala Ngara Ngurragu
In Dharug ‘Bayala’ means sharing, talking, yarning knowledges and ‘Ngara’ means deep listening, learning, thinking, sitting, peace. Ngurragu is referring to Country.
Whanaungatanga Manaakitanga
In Māori, Whanaungatanga is about relationships, kinship and a sense of family connection. It is created through shared experiences and working together and provides people with a sense of belonging. Manaakitanga is about hospitality, kindness, generosity, support – the process of showing respect, generosity and care for others.
The Reciprocal Mentoring Program is comprised of two activities:
Day of Collaborations
A community day where CEVAW RFs and HDRs are selected to share their research with Indigenous community organisations.
On-Country Learning
Everywhere you are, you are on-Country//Whenua. The on-Country experience is offered annually. In odd years, the experience is offered in collaboration with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community. Every second year an opportunity to travel to Aotearoa and learn from Māori and Pasifika peoples is offered.
The Reciprocal Mentoring Program brings together Indigenous family violence professionals and provides CEVAW HDRs and RFs an opportunity to share their research and understand the priorities of Indigenous communities as they navigate the violence of colonialism. The Program provides opportunities for CEVAW members to learn from Indigenous professionals about what will benefit communities in terms of research and outputs and develop, gain a deeper understanding of the concept of reciprocity and how to practice it, and experience Country/Whenua with Indigenous peoples. Both activities are targeted to CEVAW HDRs and RFs.
CEVAW researchers are invited to complete a micro-credential on Indigenous-centred approaches to research and ethics after undertaking 12 months of the R&ETP.
Masterclasses are facilitated quarterly by Indigenous scholars, industry experts, and community representatives working in the gender-based violence space. Sessions are a combination of presentations by experts in Indigenous-centred approaches and group-based reflexive learning. Masterclasses facilitate learning and engagement opportunities, provide supplementary learning materials, and support reflection and discussion. Masterclasses are primarily targeted to CEVAW researchers.
Reading Groups are hosted bi-monthly by CEVAW Chief Investigators who have published work relevant to CEVAW.
It will be designed to discuss the publications from members of CEVAW, explaining their approaches, methods and findings. The reading group will provide formal and informal mentorship opportunities, constructive feedback and support, and showcase Indigenous and survivor-focused knowledge and methodologies relevant to the CEVAW approach.
The Higher Degree Research (HDR) and Research Fellow (RF) Internship consists of Masterclasses, Reading Groups, Reciprocal Mentoring Program Activities, and Bespoke Workshops.
Bespoke Workshops are primarily delivered by Indigenous scholars and focus on HDR and RF academic development. The Internship provides opportunities for HDRs and RFs to develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous-centred approaches to research and ethics and for RFs to informally mentor HDRs. The Internship encourages research activities for HDRs and RFs such as publications in Indigenous-led Journals. The HDR and RF Internship is targeted to eligible CEVAW HDRs and RFs. HDRs and RFs can check their eligibility to participate in the Internship with the CEVAW R&ETP Coordinator.
Click the relevant icons to learn about the other components of the HDR and RF Internship.
On-country Learning Program. This annual program will enable CIs/PIs, PhDs and postdocs affiliated with the Centre to gain first-hand insights working on-country to develop their understanding of Indigenous relationships and interconnectedness with people and place.
These immersive experiences will be informed and guided by the other components of the Indigenous Research Ethics Training Program to ensure on-country research is a practical manifestation of prior learning on Indigenous sensitive and context sensitive research. The Program may include: Cultural immersion activities and experiential learning Understanding Indigenous peoples’ connection to place; Understanding wherever you are, you are ‘on Country’/Whenua and applying learnings to your own location; Understanding your role as a guest; Pacific cultures, languages and communities.
The reciprocal mentoring program is based on the Indigenous ethic of reciprocity—a tradition that is a fundamental responsibility for relationships with all life (Carlson 2021b).
The concept of reciprocity describes Indigenous peoples’ ancient practice that draws from our interconnectedness with all our physical and social structures. Reciprocity has been a social adhesive for Indigenous peoples; it is the glue that has ensured our survival. Reciprocity is about sharing, about understanding that our survival depends on the dissemination of knowledge, of food, shelter, songs, art and stories and so forth. This Program is offered to all Centre personnel and other stakeholders.
This Program will be hosted in two locations: On Dharug Ngurra – based at Macquarie University and at Waipapa Marae and the Fale Pasifika at the University of Auckland. In each location, the Program will consist of the
The major goal is to establish mentoring partnerships between Centre academics and frontline services, to establish arrangements and potential career pathways.
Annual events will embed organic peer and other mentoring throughout the Centre and promote student and ECR-led initiatives.
Over time, this will grow to include alumni networking events to establish the Centre as an ongoing resource for researchers and practitioners.
A variety of short courses will be undertaken by all Centre affiliated GRS throughout the year.
These courses will cover Indigenous ethics and other complementary ethical approaches to research data collection, analysis and partnerships from the standpoints of marginalised groups. Master classes that target Centre researchers will be delivered by Indigenous Partner Organisations e.g., elders and community representatives. They may also be led by other guest speakers and invited experts including from CEVAW’s over 30 Partner Organisations. Master classes that target the wider academic and research community, and members of the public will be predominantly delivered by the Centre’s Indigenous CIs and PIs.
A coordinated reading group will be facilitated online for CIs and AIs, PD fellows and GRS.
It will be designed to discuss the publications from members of CEVAW, explaining their approaches, methods and findings. The reading group will provide formal and informal mentorship opportunities, constructive feedback and support, and showcase Indigenous and survivor-focused knowledge and methodologies relevant to the CEVAW approach.
There will be an annual intake of Masters by Research and/or PhD candidates in years 1-4 across CEVAW.
The Graduate Research Student (GRS) Internship is a 3 year-long program of interactive workshops designed to build capacity of GRS and prepare them for research careers.
The Program will be based at Macquarie University and involves an annual full-day workshop followed by 8 monthly workshops of 3 hours as well as roadshows to participating institutions beginning with Monash University.
This annual program will enable CIs/PIs, PhDs and postdocs affiliated with the Centre to gain first-hand insights working on-country to develop their understanding of Indigenous relationships and interconnectedness with people and place.
These immersive experiences will be informed and guided by the other components of the Indigenous Research Ethics Training Program to ensure on-country research is a practical manifestation of prior learning on Indigenous sensitive and context sensitive research. The Program may include: Cultural immersion activities and experiential learning Understanding Indigenous peoples’ connection to place; Understanding wherever you are, you are ‘on Country’/Whenua and applying learnings to your own location; Understanding your role as a guest; Pacific cultures, languages and communities.
