Indigenous Business Hub

Academic staff from across disciplines work with Indigenous industries and communities to build core knowledge needed to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including:

• opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD and postdoctoral students to engage in research that is core to their culture and community
• Australia’s first Indigenous academic business research journal, ‘Narra Yimba’, to enhance the recognition of Indigenous research outcomes
• research and monitoring of advancement of outcomes for Indigenous businesses.

Economic
Our Economic research explores Indigenous business, enterprise and economic self-determination, examining how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, businesses and communities create, govern and sustain economic opportunities. Our research encompasses Indigenous entrepreneurship, social enterprise, innovation, Indigenous tourism, agriculture and food systems, markets, procurement and economic development. We examine how Indigenous approaches to value, community benefit, governance and self-determination can shape new models of enterprise and contribute to sustainable economies. This work supports stronger Indigenous economic participation and explores how business and economic systems can better recognise and enable Indigenous priorities, knowledges and aspirations.

Organisational
Our Organisational research examines how organisations, workplaces and systems can support Indigenous leadership, participation, inclusion and self-determination. We research Indigenous governance, leadership and organisational change, alongside employment, workforce participation, disability and inclusion. Our work explores organisational structures, policies, practices and cultures, including how workplaces can address systemic barriers and create culturally responsive and inclusive environments. We are interested in how Indigenous leadership, governance and approaches to organisational relationships can contribute to more sustainable workplaces, stronger participation and meaningful organisational transformation.

Knowledges
Our Knowledges research advances Indigenous Knowledges within business education, research and practice. We explore Indigenous ways of knowing, Indigenous research methodologies and Indigenous approaches to teaching, learning and knowledge creation, while examining how business education and scholarship can be transformed through Indigenous perspectives. Our work considers how Indigenous Knowledges can inform business practice, leadership, governance, entrepreneurship and research, and supports the development of Indigenous Business as a field of research. Through this work, the Hub contributes to Indigenous-led knowledge production and to the transformation of business education, research and professional practice.

Student pathways

The Hub creates and supports pathways that empower Indigenous students to progress confidently towards careers in business, leadership, research and enterprise.

Through mentoring, community support, professional networks and a culturally safe environment, the Hub enriches the student experience and fosters learning and leadership.

Pathways into and through higher education include:

• National and local pathways scheme
• UQ's Indigenous scholarships programs
• UQ Business School's pre- and post-doctoral pathways scheme.

Student experience

The Hub supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research students at UQ Business School. Students have access to a culturally safe space and opportunities to engage with industry, government and the broader business community. These experiences help students build professional connections and explore graduate employment pathways.

The Hub also works with secondary school students by providing opportunities to experience university through programs including:

National Indigenous Business Summer School

The National Indigenous Business School (NIBS) is an Australian Business Deans Council initiative that introduces Year 11 and 12 students to business studies and university pathways. UQ Business School supports the initiative through representation on the national advisory committee, contributing a Queensland perspective to program planning and stakeholder engagement. UQ also served as a host institution for the program in 2024.

UQ student engagement

We provide business specific student engagement activities that support UQ indigenous initiatives e.g. UQ InspireU.

Indigenous consulting services

The Hub’s Indigenous academics and experienced practitioners work with government, industry and community organisations to develop practical, culturally informed solutions.

How we can help:

• Strategy, governance and reconciliation: Reconciliation Action Plan development; strategic planning; Indigenous governance; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment strategies, policies and procedures; disability employment planning.
• Business and economic development: economic development strategies; Indigenous procurement and supplier participation plans; business mentoring; maximising the value of Indigenous estate; support for Indigenous chambers of commerce.
• Organisational capability and engagement: Cultural capability development; workshop facilitation; industry and community engagement; research and evaluation.

Indigenous engagement

Through the UQ Business School Indigenous Engagement Program, the Hub collaborates with government, industry and community organisations on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We build strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, helping organisations deepen their understanding of local cultures, priorities and needs.

The Hub's work supports stronger connections and better outcomes across areas including:

• Arts and culture
• Climate change
• Land and water management
• Tourism and hospitality
• Training and workforce development.

To discuss how we can work together to create meaningful change, email  indigenous.business@business.uq.edu.au.