Respect

Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/strategy-values/reconciliation/stretch-rap/respect Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/strategy-values/reconciliation/stretch-rap

Respectful engagement with our communities and partners is core to UQ's mission to deliver for the public good. We recognise that respect is underpinned by awareness, understanding and honesty.

Consequently, we will:

• build a more inclusive and respectful culture by providing opportunities for all our staff and students to learn about and understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, cultures, histories and rights
• demonstrate respect through our actions, listening to and acknowledging the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• learn about, engage in and celebrate the continuing contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australian and global society
• be honest, promoting truth-telling about our nation's history and challenging intolerance
• lead, sharing knowledge and experiences of our challenges, mistakes and successes to create lasting change.

Focus areas

• Ensure reconciliation is business as usual through the successful development and implementation of our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and support the continued development of Indigenous excellence as defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Nurture a supportive and inclusive culture that aligns with the University's values, celebrates diversity and drives excellence.
• Connect the strengths and leadership of our comprehensive discipline profile to deliver mission-driven research aligned with industry, government and community priorities.

Recent achievements

• 2015: UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health established.
• 2020: Mandatory cultural training included in staff onboarding to increase awareness of Indigenous peoples’ cultures, history and society.
• 2021: UQ Library launches the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives guide to ensure that teaching curriculum and reading lists represent the diverse student voices of Indigenous peoples.
• 2022: UQ’s Campuses on Countries: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Design Framework developed to help embed Indigenous values in the University’s physical environment.
• 2022: UQ announces the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures, which utilises Indigenous knowledge in unique, multi-disciplinary research.

Download UQ's Stretch RAP Plan (PDF, 6.9 MB) for a complete timeline of actions and achievements.

Case study

Driving a vehicle for reconciliation through proactive repatriation and provenance research

The University of Queensland has reaffirmed and centralised its dedication to the provenance research and repatriation of Australian Indigenous Ancestral Remains and significant cultural heritage materials currently under the institution's care. This commitment stems from a recognition of the historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples and a firm belief in the ethical imperative to right these wrongs.

Download the case study (PDF, 49.64 KB)

Actions

6. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Indigenous cultures, histories, knowledge, and rights through cultural learning

6.1 Review, evaluate and update UQ’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Learning Plan for staff and students

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: RAPOC\ Support: DVC(IE) and CHRO

6.2 Establish a Cultural Education Advisory Group (as a sub-committee of the RAP Network Advisory Group), to act as a consultancy body to assist with implementation of UQ’s Cultural Learning Plan

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: RAPOC\ Support: DVC(IE) and CHRO

6.3 Embed UQ’s graduate attribute pertaining to cultural capability across all University undergraduate and postgraduate programs to support Graduate understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and global Indigenous peoples’ values, cultures, and knowledges

Timeline: July 2025\ Lead: DVC(A)\ Support: USET and Academic Board

6.4 Commit all UQ Senior Executive, RAPOC, RAP Working Group members, HR Managers to undertake formal and structured cultural learning including completion of the 10 AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning Modules and additional identified cultural capability training

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: USET\ Support: CHRO and RAPOC

6.5 All new fixed-term and continuing staff to complete AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning Modules 1 to 3 within three months of commencement as a component of mandatory on-boarding in accordance with UQ protocols and policies.

Timeline: Reviewed quarterly from June 2025\ Lead: CHRO\ Support: DVC(IE)

6.6 Reach a 90% completion rate for online AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning Modules 1-3 for all staff

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: CHRO

6.7 Ensure continued staff participation in the BlackCard Cultural Competency Workshops over the duration of the Stretch RAP, including two in-person (20 capacity) and two online (25 capacity) courses per year coordinated by the RAP team

Timeline: Held annually in March, July, October 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: DVC(IE)

7. Develop and implement a cultural learning framework for all UQ students

7.1 Develop and implement a student-focussed cultural learning framework for domestic HDR candidates, postgraduate coursework, and undergraduate students

Timeline: Approved by December 2025\ Lead: DVC(A)\ Support:DVC(IE), DVC(GE), DVC(RI), Dean (Graduate School) and the Academic Board

7.2 Develop and implement a cultural capability training   program for international students to be completed within the first semester of their enrolment

Timeline:Approved by December 2025\ Lead: DVC(A)\ Support: DVC(IE), DVC(GE) and the Academic Board

7.3 Supervisors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDR candidates must complete all 10 AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning Modules

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(R)\ Support: DVC(A) and Dean (Graduate School)

7.4 Supervisors of HDR candidates undertaking research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must complete all 10 AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning Modules

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(IE)\ Support: COO

8. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols

8.1 Increase staff understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(IE)\ Support: COO

8.2 Update and communicate the cultural protocol document (identifying Traditional Owners on all UQ campuses and sites), including protocols for Welcome to Country, Acknowledgement of Country and including tombstone unveiling

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(IE)\ Support: COO

8.3 Invite a local Traditional Owner (where identified) or Custodian to provide a Welcome to Country or other appropriate cultural protocol at significant events each year, such as Anniversary of the National Apology, National Close the Gap Day, National Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day, Mabo Day, NAIDOC Week, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Literacy Day and the Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Timeline: Reviewed annually December 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: VC\ Support: DVC(IE)

8.4 Embed an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of meetings and learning activities

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: USET\ Support: DVC(A)

8.5 Staff and senior leaders provide an Acknowledgement of Country at all public events

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: USET\ Support: DVC(A)

8.6 Display an Acknowledgment of Country plaque, e-screen or poster on all major buildings of all campuses and sites

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: COO\ Support: CPO

8.7 Increase signage, installations and artworks that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on UQ campuses and sites

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: COO\ Support: CPO

9. Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories through events to be held throughout the year

9.1 Review HR policies and procedures to remove barriers to staff participating in cultural events throughout the year including NAIDOC Week

Timeline: Recommendations to VC by June 2025\ Lead: VC\ Support: CHRO

9.2 RAPOC members to participate in at least one external Indigenous event each annually to promote a UQ presence in the community

Timeline: July 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: VC\ Support: USET

9.3 Support all staff to participate in NAIDOC Week events

Timeline: July 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: VC\ Support: USET

9.4 USET Members to participate in at least one NAIDOC Week event

Timeline: July 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: VC\ Support: USET

9.5 Deliver a minimum of five UQ NAIDOC Week events

Timeline: July 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: USET\ Support: DVC(A) and DVC(IE)

9.6 Develop specific NAIDOC Week promotional materials, incorporating state and national events

Timeline: July 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: COO (M&C)\ Support: DVC(IE)

9.7 In consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, support four external Indigenous events per year

Timeline: From February 2025, annually aligned with dates of significance\ Lead: VC\ Support: DVC(A)

9.8 Present an annual lecture during NAIDOC Week

Timeline: July 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: DVC(IE)\ Support: COO (M&C)

9.9 Commemorate culturally significant dates throughout UQ’s calendar year, including but not limited to the Anniversary of the National Apology, National Close the Gap Day, National Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day, Mabo Day, NAIDOC Week, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Literacy Day, and the Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Timeline: Review December 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: DVC(IE)\ Support: CHRO

10. Provide space and place to recognise, value and celebrate Indigenous knowledges and knowledge holders

10.1 The Indigenising Curriculum Sub-Committee for Academic Programs and Policy, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, promote Communities of Practice for academic teaching staff as an enabler for Indigenising Curriculum and the sharing of best practice

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: Provost\ Support: DVC(A), COO and CIO

10.2 Design support mechanisms, training and professional learning modules for course creators and teachers to increase capacity to embed Indigenous perspectives in curriculum and to teach courses to students both online and in person

Timeline: December 2026\ Lead: Provost\ Support: DVC(A), COO and CIO

10.3 Provide clear pathways to seek technical and digital advice for course creators and teaching staff when designing and delivering Indigenised courses for students to access through learning management systems

Timeline: December 2026\ Lead: Provost\ Support: DVC(A), COO and CIO

10.4 Establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander International Academic Engagement Program, including an International Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Exchange Program

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(A) and DVC(R)\ Support: DVC(IE)

10.5 Ensure work, learning and community spaces on UQ campuses recognise and value the knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and community members bring to UQ

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: VC\ Support: DVC(IE) and USET

11. Recognise, value, and celebrate Indigenous researchers and knowledges

11.1 Implement a communication plan to promote UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: DVC(RI)\ Support: COO (M&C)

11.2 Annual VC Recognition Award in addition to the UQ Awards for Excellence

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: VC\ Support: DVC(IE)

11.3 Present an annual Indigenous Research focused lecture during UQ Research Week

Timeline: September 2025, 2026, 2027\ Lead: DVC(RI)\ Support: DVC(IE)

12. Respect Indigenous peoples by increasing understanding and recognition of their intellectual property and cultural heritage

12.1 Incorporate and promote an understanding of ICIP in academic and research activities

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(RI)\ Support:DVC(A), Dean (Graduate School), CEIF, USET

12.2 HDR candidates undertaking an Indigenous focussed research project will undertake ICIP training

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: DVC(A)\ Support:DVC(IE), DVC(GE), DVC(RI), Dean (Graduate School) and the Academic Board

12.3 Develop mechanisms to care for and/or repatriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage materials and sites held by UQ

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: DVC(RI)\ Support: Provost and DVC(A)

13. Undertake activities that assist in truth-telling in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and UQ

13.1 Finalised Enterprise Agreement offers employees the option to substitute the public holiday on 26 January with another date of their choosing

Timeline: June 2025\ Lead: CHRO\ Support: COO (M&C)

13.2 Acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures through the physical and built environments on all UQ campuses and sites by collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to implement and expand the Campuses on Countries Strategy

Timeline: December 2025\ Lead: VC\ Support: USET and CPO