The Australian government should revise national research priorities to include protection of Indigenous culture and knowledge, says a review published on 14 September.
National research priorities should also recognise the importance of closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
The Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, commissioned by the government last year, aims to foster stronger participation by Indigenous Australians in universities.
It urges universities to develop strategies focussed on increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics, in order to increase the amount of research carried out by members of these communities.
The review suggests that the Australian Research Council look into “building capacity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers across its funding programs”.
It says the ARC should identify the barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in winning competitive grants through the council.