Our research, our projects
Our projects foreground Indigenous knowledges, leadership, and research priorities through strong community consultation.
Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja is dedicated to Indigenous-led research and community-driven impact. Explore the projects below to learn more about the work we’re undertaking with our partners.
Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Management for transport resilience
Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja has partnered with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to conduct research into how Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Management (ACLM) can build resilience to natural hazards into the transport network.
Our role ensures that Aboriginal knowledge systems, cultural values, and community aspirations are at the heart of this work. We bring Indigenous-led research expertise to guide the respectful integration of traditional land and water management practices into TfNSW’s vegetation management standards and policies.
Through deep engagement with local Aboriginal communities in three pilot areas, we will listen, learn, and collaborate to:
- Understand community visions for caring for Country within transport corridors.
- Co-develop a culturally grounded framework for ACLM implementation.
- Support truth-telling, cultural learning, and reconciliation through shared knowledge.
This partnership reflects our commitment to embedding Indigenous leadership in research and practice, and to ensuring that Country is cared for in ways that honour its cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies
Led by Professor Della Forster and Elder Aunty Gina Bundle, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies project expands culturally safe, continuous maternity care across Victoria, where women are supported by the same midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja is a key partner in this project. Collaborating with La Trobe’s Judith Lumley Centre, the Centre ensures the care model is grounded in Indigenous knowledge and tailored to local community needs. It plays a central role in embedding cultural safety, supporting Indigenous leadership, and strengthening community partnerships.
In this project, Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja:
- Facilitates culturally safe research practices, ensuring that the voices and priorities of Indigenous communities are central to the design and implementation of the maternity care model.
- Provides a platform for Indigenous researchers and community members to co-lead and shape the research, enhancing its relevance and impact.
- Supports training and capacity-building for both community members and La Trobe staff, strengthening long-term partnerships and knowledge exchange.
This collaboration ensures the project not only improves health outcomes but also respects and uplifts Indigenous ways of knowing and community leadership.
Building on earlier work with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and three hospitals, the program has already benefited over 1,000 families. With this new funding, it will reach 1,600 more women, including in regional areas, aiming to close the gap in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Partner with us
As our network of collaborators continues to grow, we are building meaningful partnerships that align with the aspirations and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Connect with us
To learn more about our projects or make an enquiry, please get in touch with us.