Lessons from Strengths-Based Approaches in Indigenous Education for Deadly Futures

Indigenous education continues to be shaped by three words: close the gap. Similarly, research is an industry that is centred on problems rather than strengths-based approaches.

Here’s a different way of thinking! Associate Professor Marnee Shay is an Aboriginal researcher whose maternal family is from Wagiman Country (Southern Daly River Region in the Northern Territory).

Marnee will explore how problems and discourses of pathology have inadvertently impacted research policy and practice in Indigenous education. She will share some examples from her research program where she has successfully applied strengths-based approaches and developed new understandings of old problems as a result. 

Marnee has an extensive externally funded research program and has many publications in the fields of Indigenous education, flexi schooling and Indigenous education policy, including the text ‘Indigenous Education in Australia Learning and Teaching for Deadly Futures’, edited by Marnee and Rhonda Oliver, advocates a strengths-based lens.

Marnee is also a Chief Investigator on the first Indigenous-led Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence ‘Indigenous Futures’ (2023-2029). 

The forum is coordinated by Dr Scott Alterator, Director, Indigenous Education Futures, School of Education, La Trobe University.