Learning from cultural fire on Country: Co-designing research that connects Indigenous Knowledge with western science

About this scholarship

Supervisor: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/42829 Associate supervisor: https://firesticks.org.au/our-team As part of the Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience project, we have an exciting research opportunity for an Indigenous community member to work with Traditional Owners alongside Firesticks Alliance and The University of Queensland. In this role, you will be out on Country working with Tagalaka, Wakka Wakka, Gudjula, Mununjali or Yugambeh knowledge holders to learn from cultural fire and understand how it supports healthy Country over time. You’ll take part in burns and help observe, record and learn what’s happening on Country, including: How fire behaves (for example temperature, wind, ash, smoke) Changes in soil, medicinal/edible plants, animals and biodiversity Weather conditions and site history Community fire knowledge, observations and lived experience You’ll use monitoring tools (like Kestrel weather meters) to track conditions during burns. You will also have the opportunity to shape the direction of the project, based on your interests and what matters most to community. Research objectives Work alongside Traditional Owners to collect and document information before, during and after cultural burns Help set up and monitor research sites with Indigenous communities and Firesticks team Use tools (like Kestrel weather meters) to track fire and weather conditions Bring together on-Country observations and community knowledge Understand how cultural fire supports healthy Country over time. Co-design data collection strategies that can be used for land-management practices. Broader impact This project supports Indigenous leadership in cultural fire, caring for Country and protecting biodiversity. Through this work, you will build skills and experience that can support future pathways in areas like ranger programs, land management, conservation, policy or further PhD study. Supervision You will be supported by the following team who will co-supervise this research project: Dr Joseph Nastasi (UQ) - Principal Advisor Associate Professor Victor Steffensen (UQ and Firesticks Alliance) - Associate Advisor You’ll also work closely under the cultural guidance of knowledge holders from Tagalaka, Wakka Wakka, Gudjula, Mununjali and/or Yugambeh communities, as well as the broader Firesticks team supporting delivery of the Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience project. Location You will be based at UQ’s St Lucia campus (Brisbane), with options for remote study. You’ll spend time on Country across Queensland, working alongside Indigenous community research partners and Firesticks Alliance. Travel will be required and all travel and project costs will be covered. Training and support You will be supported to build skills in: Ecological monitoring and understanding fire on Country Using monitoring equipment and collecting environmental data Indigenous research approaches and cultural protocols Professional development through UQ and Firesticks Alliance workshops Strategies to collect people’s stories, experiences and observations Leading co-design of research projects between community and universities

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