2022 Fellows share their commitment to social change initiatives

Last week the 2022 cohort of Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity presented their Indigenous-led social change projects in Naarm (Melbourne), the final assessment of their foundation year. Now the Fellows have completed their final module, they look towards graduating with either a Master or Graduate Certificate of Social Change Leadership qualification from the University of Melbourne.

AFSE 2022 Cohort presenting their Indigenous-led social change projects at the University of Melbourne

A key part the years program is the development of a social change project. Fellows refine and develop a project output designed to amplify their learning and social change making, drawing on the most current and impactful critical Indigenous scholarship from Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and around the world. This sixth, final module provides the opportunity for Fellows to present a summary of their thinking and approach to social change, focusing on the role of fellowship and collaboration to advance social equity.

Three of the AFSE Pou; Professor Daryle Rigney, Dr Jackie Huggins and Mark Yettica-Paulson were in attendance throughout the week to support Fellows and provide cultural guidance and feedback.

“This year has completely changed how I view Aboriginal affairs and Aboriginal policy,” said 2022 Fellow Jonathon Captain-Webb.

“For me, coming into this space I thought I knew everything about best practice for achieving outcomes for Aboriginal communities – this year has fundamentally challenged the way I see the world and how I engage with Aboriginal communities. This has been the best study I have ever done; the content and delivery have been amazing, the subject matter experts that we have in the room is second to none, and the readings we are engaging with have been designed and tailored specifically for us as Indigenous people.”

2022 Fellow Te Awa Puketapu said “What’s changed for me over this year is that I have gotten a lot more clarity on what my project direction is. What started as a hot mess of an idea at the beginning of the year has become crystalised and I know that I have a lot more knowledge, confidence, and the right people around me to now implement it.”  

 “AFSE is proud to place Indigenous pedagogies, research translation and community-building at the heart of our work with Fellows. The best and most critical research – from Indigenous thinkers and those who walk with us – is clear about the ingredients for social change.” Says Associate Professor Nikki Moodie, Program Director

“Anchoring ourselves in Indigenous thought and philosophy and expecting ethical and evidence-based project design means that AFSE is well-placed to support Fellows to meet the challenges we face for the next generation of decision-makers.”

Next year, the 2022 Fellows and their families will celebrate the cohort’s graduation, and AFSE will continue to showcase Fellows’ social change projects and impact stories as they are implemented going forward. After graduation, the 2022 cohort will also join the lifelong, global network of Atlantic Fellows that share a common purpose: to advance fairer, healthier, more inclusive societies.