First Nations leadership in Australia’s energy transition

First Nations leadership in Australia’s energy transition

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Advancing energy research

At Monash, we’re building a First Nations-led energy research agenda that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars, strengthens community-led energy outcomes, and connects Indigenous knowledge with technical, social, and policy expertise.

This work is guided by First Nations leadership and focused on supporting future energy leaders to deliver real-world impact for Country and community.

As projects and partnerships grow, Monash will continue to strengthen its role as a trusted partner in clean energy – supporting an energy transition shaped with, and led by, First Nations peoples.

  • Australia’s energy transition

    Will reshape Country, communities, infrastructure and economic opportunity for generations. First Nations peoples are central to that transition, not only as a community, but as researchers, leaders, decision-makers and partners.

  • Across Australia

    Communities are already leading conversations about clean energy, energy justice, community ownership, resilience and long-term benefit. Universities have an important role to play by supporting First Nations-led research capability, creating pathways for emerging scholars, and building evidence that can inform policy, investment and practical outcomes.

  • Growing national momentum

    The Commonwealth’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy 2024–2030, the First Nations Clean Energy Program, and ARENA’s support for First Nations-led regional microgrid projects reflect growing national momentum in this area. For Monash, this context reinforces the importance of building research pathways and partnerships that are respectful, practical and guided by First Nations priorities.

Our Plan

Monash Energy Institute’s First Nations Plan is focused on building the relationships, research pathways and leadership needed to support First Nations-led energy futures. We aim to:

Facts and figures

  • Support

    First Nations scholars to undertake energy transition research that is meaningful to their communities

  • Strengthen

    First Nations leadership and embed First Nations knowledges and perspectives across energy research

  • Enable

    Sustained, clean energy research that delivers tangible benefits for First Nations communities, informs policy, and attracts investment

  • Build

    A trusted evidence base to support beneficial outcomes for a First Nations-led energy transition.

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Our First Nations Advisory Group provides culturally grounded advice and sector insight to support the development of this energy research initiative, including its research priorities, scholar pathways and partnership approach.

We are also supporting a cohort of First Nations PhD scholars to undertake research on the energy transition, building capability and leadership across the sector.

Over time we aim to scale our efforts to strengthen leadership for the energy transition, embed knowledges across our research and initiatives, and help deliver meaningful benefits for First Nations communities.

Get involved

Apply for a PhD opportunity

Join a growing cohort of First Nations researchers focused on the energy transition.

Learn more about Monash’s First Nations leadership, education and research

Explore the work of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous)

Partner with us

We welcome conversations with First Nations communities and organisations interested in shaping, guiding or participating in this work. Get in touch to explore partnerships, learn more about our work, or discuss potential initiatives in First Nations energy research. Contact: gabrielle.hughes@monash.edu or energy-institute@monash.edu