African Research and Engagement in Australia Initiative (AREiA)
A community-driven approach to supporting the health, cultural, social, economic and political wellbeing of African Australian communities.
- The Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program
- Community Relationships and Discovery: Community Fellows Program
- African Australian Seniors Anti-Racism Project: Inclusive Ageing, Free from Racism:
Reimagining Migration in(out) of Africa in the Post-Pandemic World: Taking Stock and Building Resilience
Call for Papers/Presentation Proposals
Meet the AREiA Team
AREiA's priorities and activities are guided by a Reference Group and Advisory Board made up of African Australian community leaders and University of Melbourne researchers and staff.

The African Research and Engagement in Australia Initiative (AREiA) is a new collaboration between the University of Melbourne and key partners in the African Australian community.
Hosted by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute, it will provide an interdisciplinary, community-driven and solutions orientated approach to the health, cultural, social, economic and political wellbeing of African Australian communities.
AREiA will enable collaborative research and knowledge exchange in order to address existing knowledge gaps regarding African Australian communities. The insights generated from AREiA programs and projects are to be utilised by policy and decision-makers, business and community agencies and the broader Australian community.
AREiA will also support the implementation of government initiatives such as the Victorian African Communities Action Plan through various programs developed in partnership with the African Australian community and key partners both within and external to the University of Melbourne.

AREiA Launch Event
The African Research and Engagement in Australia Initiative (AREiA) was officially launched by Professor Nicola Phillips, Provost of the University of Melbourne, on Monday 6 December 2021.
The event also served as a completion celebration for the 2021 participants in the Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program with Mr Josh Bull, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, the keynote speaker.
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Blue Nile Business Masterclass Program
The Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass program is a subsidised 12-day course designed for African Australian entrepreneurs and leaders of not-for-profit organisations.
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Community Relationships and Discovery
Through the Community Fellows Program, AREiA is supporting African Australian community organisations to undertake research projects in collaboration with university-based researchers.
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Annual Conference and Issues-based Roundtables
AREiA's annual conference will showcase the latest research, policies and practice; regular issues-based roundtables will inform priority setting for AREiA's research activities.
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Research Projects
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Evaluation of the Black Rhinos Basketball Program
The Ubuntu philosophy perspective
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Inclusive ageing, free from racism
African Australian seniors anti-racism project
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Sense of belonging for African students at the University of Melbourne
Understanding and improving the student experience
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Reintegration and resettlement: Post-release family and community support for African-Australians in Victoria
Investigating the post-release support needs of African-Australians who have been imprisoned in Victoria
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Empowering African mothers: Ubuntu in practice
Using culturally responsive approaches to build capacities of African Australian mothers
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Greater Shepparton African Focus Community Survey
Understanding the demographics, experiences and support needs of the African communities in Greater Shepparton
Advisory Board
The AREiA Advisory Board is comprised of African Australian community leaders and academics who bring their collective experience and expertise into ensuring that AREiA's initiatives are aligned with community priorities.
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Chair, Federation of South Sudanese Associations in Victoria
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African Studies Group and PhD Candidate
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Founder, Afri-Aus Care
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Public Servant
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Board Member, African Think Tank
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Director, Engagement and Partnerships, University of Melbourne
Reference Group
Informed by their experience in community-engaged research, the AREiA Reference Group is comprised of academics who provide guidance and strategic advice with a focus on the dynamic and complex topics of interest within African Australian communities.
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Executive Officer, Melbourne Social Equity Institute
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Professor of Sociology and Vice President of Academic Board
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AREiA Community Chair
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AREiA Academic Chair and Senior Lecturer, School of Social and Political Sciences
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Department of Management and Marketing
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Research Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences
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AREiA Project Officer
For any enquiries related to the African Research and Engagement in Australia Initiative (AREiA) please contact:
Precious Rametsana
AREiA Project Officer
precious.rametsana@unimelb.edu.au
socialequity.unimelb.edu.au/areia