Northern Institute

Northern Institute Northern Institute is a Social Sciences & Public Policy ‘think-tank’ based at Charles Darwin University. We know the North.

We work in partnership with Indigenous communities, Northern Territory Government and businesses, national and international agencies and institutions to understand the complexity of our world and the ways different knowledge and governance systems operate to improve our lives and opportunities. Northern Institute researchers are committed to making a difference through their long-standing connections and commitment to understanding the ways people and systems operate in the Northern region. We know that together, we can find ways to support effective decision-making for the future of our region. The opinions expressed on shared posts or links are not necessarily those of the Northern Institute. CRICOS Provider No: 00300K (NT) | TEQSA Provider ID PRV12069 | Category Australian University

Artwork Credit
Marina Strocchi
Mystery Train 2007
Charles Darwin University Art Collection
CDU1585

HAPPY RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS' DAY! 🎉On 25 September, we celebrate the dedicated professionals working behind the scenes...
25/09/2026

HAPPY RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS' DAY! 🎉

On 25 September, we celebrate the dedicated professionals working behind the scenes to make research possible.

At Northern Institute, our Research Support Service (RSS) team plays an integral role in ensuring researchers have everything they need to develop, manage and successfully complete their projects.

From identifying funding opportunities and supporting grant applications, to project administration, University compliance, reporting & finance management, stakeholder coordination and communications, the RSS provides the essential infrastructure that underpins the high-quality research NI produces.

Research administration is often unseen, but its impact is felt across every stage of the research journey.

Thank you for your dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to supporting research excellence.

Happy Research Administrators' Day to our Northern Institute Research Support Service team, and to all research administrators across CDU. Thank you for the invaluable work you do every day to enable, support and strengthen research. 👏🔬📚


RIEL - Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Molly Wardaguga Institute Molly Wardaguga Research Centre Charles Darwin University CDU Faculty of Arts and Society Universities Australia Australasian Research Management Society

25/09/2026

We’re proud to be working with Pintupi Homelands Health Service and the Pintupi Community to better understand the impacts of climate change on wellbeing.

This new project – made possible through a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant – will see researchers and community come together to yarn about the weather and its impact on wellbeing to identify both current and emerging mental health impacts experienced by Pintupi people.

This will help inform the co-design of culturally safe support tools, to support residents and remote health staff to take an active role in addressing wellbeing and in turn help contribute to a more climate-resilient community.

Learn more about this work here: https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/Research/Projects/Major_Initiatives/Pintupi_led_climate_yarning_to_reduce_climate_change-related_mental_health_risks/

This project is a collaboration with Menzies School of Health Research’s Remote Health Systems and Climate Change Centre (RHC3), Pintupi Homelands Health Service, Central Land Council, Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute, The Poche SA + NT Centre at Flinders University and the University of Sydney's Centre for Rural Health.

Photo courtesy of Leander Menezes, Pintupi Homelands Health Service CEO, on the road to Walungurru (Kintore), part of the Pintupi Homelands, 550kms west of Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

In a new study published in the International Journal of Science Education, Northern Institute Research Fellow Dr. Felic...
25/09/2026

In a new study published in the International Journal of Science Education, Northern Institute Research Fellow Dr. Felicity McLure and co-authors Sevda Yerdelen-Damar and Kübra Kaya investigated how gender and socio-economic based stereotypes predict STEM identity among 604 middle school students.

Using structural equation modelling the research reveals key insights into how young learners build a STEM identity:

🔹 Self-Efficacy is Key: Feeling capable is the strongest central engine driving student interest, recognition, and long-term STEM identity across all four disciplines.
🔹 Field-Specific Pathways: The influence of gender stereotypes operates indirectly through self-efficacy and recognition in engineering, technology, and mathematics and showed negligible direct impact in science.
🔹 Recognition Matters: Being recognized by others as a "STEM person" is essential, particularly for girls in engineering and technology, and for boys in engineering and math.
🔹 SES Stereotypes: Socioeconomic status stereotypes showed no significant direct or indirect impact on STEM identity pathways in this context.

These findings demonstrate that generic "STEM encouragement" isn't enough and that educators and policymakers need targeted strategies that build confidence and provide meaningful recognition.

👉 Read the full study here: http://go.cdu.edu.au/fsvq


Charles Darwin UniversityCDU Faculty of Arts and Society Universities Australia

🎉 Congratulations to Professor Linda Payi Ford on securing $3 million in NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence funding fo...
24/09/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Professor Linda Payi Ford on securing $3 million in NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence funding for the new Country is a Healing and Resilience Pathway (CHiRP-CRE) initiative.

Led by Professor Ford, a Rak Mak Mak Marranunggu Senior Elder and Professorial Research Fellow at Northern Institute, CHiRP-CRE will bring together First Nations researchers, communities and partners from across Australia to strengthen Country-based health and climate resilience.

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Centre of Research Excellence will support community-driven solutions that enhance wellbeing, respond to climate impacts, and protect Indigenous knowledge systems for future generations.

We are proud to see Professor Ford's leadership recognised through this significant national investment and look forward to the impact this work will have for Country and community.

Read more here👉 https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/federal-funding-country-based-health-climate-resilience


Charles Darwin University CDU Faculty of Arts and Society Universities Australia HEAL Network National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC National Indigenous Times Nicole Brown

Last week, Northern Institute brought together global researchers to explore the social dimensions of the renewable ener...
21/09/2026

Last week, Northern Institute brought together global researchers to explore the social dimensions of the renewable energy transition, highlighting the connections between energy, waste, justice, and sustainability. The discussion challenged us to think critically about building a truly just and circular energy future. 🌏♻️

Speakers & Topics

🔹Facilited by NI Research Fellow Dr Deepika Mathur

🔹 Matthew Kearnes – Examined how waste and environmental justice intersect with renewable energy transitions, exploring coal ash contamination, community activism, circular economy solutions, and the social impacts of shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy systems.

🔹 Vanessa Lea – Shared research from rural Madagascar on the life cycle of off-grid solar systems, highlighting challenges around product durability, repair, battery failure, recycling, and maintaining long-term energy access in remote communities.

🔹 Anderson Assuah – Discussed renewable energy waste management in Canada, focusing on the opportunities and challenges facing remote and Indigenous communities as solar and wind infrastructure expands.

🔹 Benjamin Sovacool – Explored the global justice dimensions of the low-carbon transition, examining the social and environmental impacts of critical mineral extraction, e-waste, labour conditions, and international supply chains that support renewable energy technologies.

A big thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and insights, and to everyone who joined the conversation and contributed thoughtful questions.

Watch our YouTube Recording here: http://go.cdu.edu.au/fsra

Charles Darwin University CDU Faculty of Arts and Society Universities Australia Boston University University College of the North UNSW

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an engaging and thought-provoking seminar with Professor Mitchell Whitelaw🌿We we...
18/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an engaging and thought-provoking seminar with Professor Mitchell Whitelaw🌿

We were delighted to host Professor Mitchell Whitelaw from The Australian National University, as he shared insights from his innovative research on multimodal sensing in wetland environments, exploring how digital technologies, environmental data, and design can help us better understand and connect with living places.

The seminar explored conversations about the opportunities and challenges of environmental sensing, biodiversity data, and the ways digital tools shape our understanding of complex ecological systems.

We once again extend our sincere thanks to Mitchell for sharing his expertise and to all attendees who contributed to the discussion.

Find our Youtube recording here 👉 http://go.cdu.edu.au/fsrq


Charles Darwin University CDU Faculty of Arts and Society Universities Australia

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