Abstract

In an increasingly dynamic global environment, cultural and linguistic diversity forms a substantial aspect of any research community. In Australia, our institutions are no exception. According to the Australian Government's Census data from 2021, it pointed out that 48.2% of Australians have a parent born overseas, 27.6% of the Australian population was born outside of Australia, and around 3.3% of the Australian population is made up of our First Nations people. Additionally, 167 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages were recorded as being used in the family home. This collected data has significant implications for professional research management when considering research support from a holistic lens and as an embedded practice, including the broad spectrum of support that should be offered to researchers and doctoral candidates. Following our substantive interviews with researchers and professionals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, this presentation will include a synoptist in an audio-visual snapshot, capturing firsthand accounts of their experiences, highlighting the challenges they faced, and breakthrough responses to diversity in a culturally rich research ecosystem. Some of the settings and methods adopted by UTS, as a leading global university, are examples that have helped foster supportive and collaborative environments that empower researchers and candidates to strive for greater success. As a resource to be capitalised, we have included one such example of the university's approach in the form of an in-depth overview of Indigenous cultural IP Protocols. This protocol will be reviewed and offered as an educational case study that presents the guiding principles that help facilitate best practice when considering professional support in the field of Indigenous Research.