Claire Sainsbury is developing a blueprint for Commonwealth investment in Indigenous education as part of a Master of Philosophy at The Australian National University (ANU).

Claire is a proud Torres Strait woman who grew up on Badu Island. She is a Sir Roland Wilson Pat Turner scholar from the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Her research, ‘A systems approach to addressing the barriers and factors influencing the participation and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in education across the life course’ is of personal significance to her.

“I have dedicated my career to working to improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Claire said.

Claire worked as a primary school teacher before joining the Australian Public Service, with her most recent role focused on teaching and learning policy at a national level.

“Education is a powerful change agent. I've seen firsthand how education can contribute to breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

“Changing the way we approach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education policy will not only make a difference to First Nations determination, it also has broader implications for economic prosperity and social citizenship.”

Claire is particularly interested in how narratives and discourses shape the educational experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She’s also looking into how educators either disrupt or maintain expectations about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ability to achieve academic success.

Through her research, Claire has identified a number of ‘missing ingredients’ when it comes to past policy and program design in Indigenous education.

“The first and most fundamental is the lack of adequate involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the design, development, implementation and assessment of education policy and programs.

“There is also a gap between where policy is conceived and those on the ground that can ensure it is effectively implemented.

“Finally, there has been too great a focus on searching for the panacea in educational policy and practice."

Claire hopes her research will make a difference.

“I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to take this blueprint back to the public service and it will be my contribution to the future education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

The Sir Roland Wilson Pat Turner Scholarship is a one-to-three-year full pay scholarship for any level of postgraduate study at ANU or Charles Darwin University for high performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS 4 to SES Band 1 APS employees.

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