In October 2023, we welcomed Liam Jensen to the ARDC Indigenous Internship Program. The program supports Indigenous-led research infrastructure development and enhances digital skills for young Indigenous people interested in the sector. It is a key part of the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Indigenous Research Data Commons (HASS and Indigenous RDC), which helps researchers use data to understand and preserve Australia’s culture, history, and heritage.
Liam is a Wiradjuri man who grew up north of Brisbane, Queensland and is now based in Melbourne, Victoria on Wurundjeri Country. He has a background in data analytics and cloud computing.
Liam is the ARDC’s second Indigenous Intern, following in the footsteps of Lisa Rigney. ARDC’s Indigenous Interns are hosted with our partners at the Indigenous Data Network at the University of Melbourne. The Indigenous Data Network leads the project Improving Indigenous Research Capabilities as part of the HASS and Indigenous RDC.
Jenny Fewster, Director of the ARDC HASS and Indigenous RDC, said, “The ARDC Indigenous Internship has been an invaluable experience for Liam this year, providing him with hands-on opportunities to develop his technical skills, engage with leading researchers, and make meaningful contributions to the HASS and Indigenous RDC. We thank Liam for his diligence and contribution.”
Levi-Craig Murray, who worked alongside Liam at the Indigenous Data Network, said, “Working with Liam over the past 12 months has enabled the Indigenous Data Network to reimagine how young and emerging Indigenous researchers may enter and develop within future pipelines. More importantly, it has provided a critical opportunity to create tangible pathways for them to progress towards their career goals. This experience has allowed us to teach and transfer vital knowledge practically, building solid foundations for future research infrastructure in Australia and demonstrating how it supports real-world innovation and drives meaningful social change.”
“Now in its second year, the internship has opened a pathway, providing insider knowledge that equips potential Indigenous interns and future researchers with experiences they would not typically gain in more traditional roles and entry pathways,” said Levi-Craig Murray.
“A key benefit of the programme is the exposure to interdisciplinary ways of working, allowing participants to collaborate while gaining technological expertise, knowledge, and insight into academia.”
We spoke with Liam about his experience as the ARDC Indigenous Intern over the past year.
When I was offered this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to be part of an exciting project that would build on my current experience in data analysis and provide me with the opportunity to be part of an Aboriginal-centred project that can improve the lives and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities.
I have been lucky enough to be assigned to the Indigenous Data Network at The University of Melbourne to learn from amazing people such as Distinguished Professor Marcia Langton, Dr Kristen Smith, and Levi Murray.
My goals for the future absolutely include giving back and helping Aboriginal communities throughout Australia. I look forward to learning more from Aboriginal knowledge holders about how Indigenous data can be respectfully and culturally protected. I plan to utilise any new skills I learn throughout this internship to always benefit my people.
I hope to learn from different Indigenous communities around the world regarding the collection of Indigenous data. I also look forward to discovering innovative solutions that have a focus on building confidence and trust within Aboriginal communities.
I would like to thank Jenny and the team here at the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons for giving me this amazing opportunity to work with such a stellar group.
My first time staying out in a remote Aboriginal community was out at Yirrkala, where we worked on saving the brilliant work there at the Literature Production Centre (LPC). Everyone was so friendly and generous. It was certainly interesting to fly on a small plane out to Milingimbi. Such an incredible environment with the most stunning waterways. Waterways that you don’t dare go too close to in case you end up a croc’s lunch.
One of my favourite experiences was attending the Australian Indigenous Datathon at James Cook University in Cairns. The Datathon was coincidently the only all-Indigenous event I have attended in my time as an Intern. It tackles challenges that people living in regional and remote communities face by bringing together Indigenous knowledge and cutting-edge technology. I was in one of 9 competing teams consisting of Traditional Owners as well as software programmers and mentors with experience in project management. The teams worked on finding solutions for pressing issues such as coastal erosion, Indigenous health, protection of rock art, animal management, and fauna identification.
Our team’s assigned issue was emergency management. On this topic, we worked with local Indigenous rangers on coming up with ways to streamline and potentially improve their way of reporting on planned burns and ground clutter. Some of these methods we came up with were utilising an AI model to scan and tag the types of flora and fauna in the planned burn site and also utilising drones and AI to detect and log the amount of ground clutter over a greater area than they could previously. We ended up coming a close second.
Learn more about the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons.
The ARDC is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) to support national digital research infrastructure for Australian researchers.
