University of Melbourne
Indigenous Cultural Design Competency Learning Modules

Research and Insights, First Peoples Engagement, Transformation and Solutions, Capacity Building

Supporting excellence in Indigenous cultural design competency with Learning Modules for University of Melbourne.

Completion / 2021
Client / University of Melbourne
Location / Melbourne, Victoria
Awards /
2022 Good Design Award ‘Best in Class’ for ‘Supporting Excellence in Indigenous Cultural Design Competency’

The Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne initiated a bold aspiration to:

  • Forge and consolidate relationships that enable reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

  • Embrace Indigenous perspectives as the drivers of research

  • Attract and retain Indigenous Students and Staff, and

  • Amplify the cultural competence among non Indigenous students and staff

The first step in this process was to develop a program to support Excellence in Indigenous Cultural Design Competency by developing a suite of bespoke Indigenous Design learning modules for new and current staff. A comprehensive engagement strategy across a range of Indigenous stakeholders and academic staff underpinned the success of this initiative and the development of Indigenous Design curricula.

This work was recognised with a Good Design Award ‘Best in Class’ for ‘Supporting Excellence in Indigenous Cultural Design Competency’ in 2022.