There are many opportunities and challenges associated with doing a PhD. It is a rewarding program that allows you to deeply explore a research area of interest. However, it is also recognised as a difficult academic pursuit and students may encounter various challenges in completing the program.

My own PhD, undertaken at The University of Queensland (UQ), explored the key learning, teaching and national education policy challenges in relation to Indigenous education at university. Since my conferral in 2022, I have been asked to share my professional advice for Indigenous students who are wanting to enrol in a PhD program and conduct research.

So, I decided to write this series of articles, over three separate posts, related to undertaking a PhD in Education, based off my lived experience as a Nunukul/Ngugi researcher. My aim in sharing these articles is to particularly assist Indigenous students who are doing a PhD in the field of education.

My lived experience

According to Universities Australia (2023), the number of Indigenous student enrolments in PhD programs has increased significantly over the past 13 or so years. For example, in 2011, there were 291 student enrolments compared to 594 enrolments in 2021. While these increasing numbers are positive, there is still further work required; there would need to be an additional 555 Indigenous postgraduate research enrolments to reach population parity of 3.2 per cent for 2021 (Universities Australia, 2023).

While I am writing from my own experience, the tips offered in this series may be relevant for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students who are doing a PhD in Education. This series includes general advice as well as much more nuanced tips which may only relate to Indigenous students who are conducting research in the Indigenous space. Experiencing any program at university is subjective, and these tips are intended to serve as a guide only. Remember that the PhD journey is your own journey and you should navigate it in the way that works best for you. This article, which is the first in the series, shares five tips that may assist students who are transitioning into the program.

Select a topic of interest

The decision to undertake a PhD is an exciting time but can also be overwhelming given the diverse range of topics that you can choose to research. Selecting a research topic can sometimes be a complex process as it can be difficult to decide on the one topic you want to research for the next four (or more) years. Here are a few ideas that may spark your thinking. Consider areas of education that may be improved or where you see room for further development. What contribution would you like to make in education? Perhaps it could be related to curriculum, pedagogy or assessment. What areas of education were you drawn to as part of your previous studies? What level of education are you interested in researching?

If you are transitioning from completing your Masters, consider whether your research topic could be an extension of your existing work. If you are a classroom teacher or work in initial teacher education, perhaps you could connect your teaching experiences with your study.

Drawn to my topic

In my experience, it is common for Indigenous PhD students to choose an Indigenous-related research topic. I also did my research in Indigenous education because of my ontological connection to the space. I was also drawn to my topic because I wanted to contribute to education policy, which was informed by my experiences as a teacher and student. Although this may seem obvious, my advice is to choose a topic that interests you – whether that be in the field of literary criticism, educational leadership or Indigenous education policy. There is also no need to rush this process – you will be spending a significant amount of time with your topic so it is important to choose wisely. Given the length of the program, to maintain a level of motivation, you will need to select a research topic that interests you.

Choose a deadly advisory team

The PhD program is a long and at times emotional journey and it helps if you have supportive and culturally competent supervisors. The reality is that there is not a great number of Indigenous academics in the Education space. If you are seeking to involve a number of Indigenous scholars on your advisory team, you may have to shift these expectations. When I enrolled in the PhD program, there were no other Indigenous academics or PhD students based in the UQ School of Education. Until other Indigenous PhD students and academics arrived in the School, this was a fairly isolating experience.

Ultimately, my advisory team consisted of experienced non-Indigenous and Indigenous academics (teachers and non-teachers) who were based within and outside of the Education School. This advisory team brought different strengths to supervision. I recommend that you undertake some initial research based on those academics who are experienced in your research area and then contact and schedule to have a yarn with several academics to see if they may be a good fit for your research. Remember, you can always change supervisors if your situation changes.

Apply for scholarship support

Generally speaking, receiving a PhD scholarship will place you in a better financial position with your candidature. This may mean that you may not need to work or teach each semester and instead are able to focus on effectively developing your research. I encourage you to discuss potential university scholarships with your potential supervisors prior to commencing the program in order to place you in the best position to achieve your research goals. 

Find quality support

Finding quality support from people and groups was key for my successful navigation of the PhD program. I come from a predominately trade-based family of seven people, including six men and am the first in my family to graduate from university. While my family were supportive of my studies, this presented multifaceted challenges and so I understand the importance of finding like-minded people and quality support groups. Connect with people who have a shared experience of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) studies and who can offer support to you throughout the program.  

Within the early stages of your candidature, I encourage you to consider applying for the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research at the University of Melbourne. This course, developed by Professor Marcia Langton, is designed specifically for Indigenous HDR students across Australia. The course provides an opportunity to discuss your research with like-minded Indigenous students and supportive academic staff. If you are potentially interested in applying for this course, I suggest that you have a conversation with your supervisors to see if this program aligns with your busy schedule. I have completed this course and recommend it to HDR students.

Furthermore, I also found support in various reading groups at university. This is discussed more in the second article.

Prioritise your wellbeing

The process of enrolling in a new program at university, navigating administrative issues, regularly meeting with potential supervisors and thinking about multiple aspects of your research study can be overwhelming. Remember to take care of your health and wellbeing during this potentially lengthy and complex process. Develop positive habits early to prioritise your wellbeing so that the program is sustainable and enjoyable.

Dr Mitchell Rom is a Lecturer with the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University. Mitchell initially trained as a secondary teacher in the disciplines of English and History and holds a PhD in Indigenous education. His research interests include Education, Equity and Decoloniality. His research has attracted national awards including the Australian Association for Research in Education Betty Watts Indigenous Researcher Award. As a Nunukul/Ngugi researcher, Mitchell has also taught in initial teacher education and has worked across various levels of education. Contact him on LinkedIn.