The most recent Indigenous Media Mentoring Program took place at the Sydney studios of NITV/SBS on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th of April 2024.
When we recall Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the media, we might remember sports stars, dancers, artists, and activists. These people are inspirational for many, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who look to these people as role models. We seldom remember Indigenous doctors, scientists or engineers.
At the AusSMC we are passionate about encouraging Indigenous scientists to engage with the media. By sharing their knowledge, expertise and stories, Indigenous scientists can inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
The Indigenous Media Mentoring Program (IMMP) provides 2 days of intensive media training to competitively selected Indigenous scientists and researchers, giving them the skills and the confidence to engage with media. Media exposure can positively impact careers, enable participation in national debate, and position participants as role models to promote STEM.
The IMMP is unique in Australia. It provides practical hands-on media experience with media partner NITV-SBS, mentoring from Indigenous researchers, media trainers and Indigenous journalists, and an expert profile on AusSMC’s science news portal, Scimex. It incorporates frank discussion of the issues Indigenous experts can experience when working with media and strategies to manage these.
Watch our video to learn of previous participants' experience and how you can get involved.
The history of the IMMP dates back to pilots run in 2016 and 2017 with 19 Indigenous researchers. In February 2020 the full in-person program was run in collaboration with National Indigenous Television (NITV-SBS) and with support from CSL. An online version of the program was held for a new cohort late in 2021, and in February 2023, 12 participants attending the Sydney studios of NITV/SBS thanks to funding from CSL and CSIRO.
With ongoing funding from CSL and CSIRO the program was successfully held again in April 2024 with a new cohort of 9 Indigenous researchers coming together from across Australia.
The next program is anticipated for April 2025.
Keen to participate? This opportunity might be right for you if you:
Financial subsides are available to assist with travel and/or accommodation expenses.
If you are interested in joining future training programs, please send an expression of interest ow, including your CV and a short paragraph describing your current research interests, to the Australian Science Media Centre (immp@smc.org.au).
Testimonials:
Like to help? If you would like to support this initiative in the future so that we can extend this opportunity to as many Indigenous researchers as possible, please contact us.
