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Melbourne Social Equity Institute

African Research and Engagement in Australia Initiative (AREiA)

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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:
  • woman wearing maskReimagining 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.

Learn More

Grid of six people's photos in greyscale

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.

Infographic  Heading - African-Australian research and training: a comprehensive approach Subheading – Flagship African Research and Engagement in Australia (AREiA) initiatives will include:  Five interconnected circles each with short text The African Australian Research Clearinghouse Blue Nile African Business Masterclass Program An African Australian Community Research Academy Community Relationships, Research and Discovery  Annual Conference and quarterly facilitated issues-based Roundtables
Infographic:  Future goals of  AREiA include an African Australian Research Clearinghouse and a Community Research Academy.

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.

  • 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.

    View
  • 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.

    View
  • 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.

    View

Research Projects

  • Evaluation of the Black Rhinos Basketball Program

    The Ubuntu philosophy perspective

  • Inclusive ageing, free from racism

    African Australian seniors anti-racism project

  • Sense of belonging for African students at the University of Melbourne

    Understanding and improving the student experience

  • 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

  • Empowering African mothers: Ubuntu in practice

    Using culturally responsive approaches to build capacities of African Australian mothers

  • 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.

  • Profile picture of Kenyatta Dei Wal
    Kenyatta Dei Wal

    Chair, Federation of South Sudanese Associations in Victoria

  • Profile picture of Vincent Dogbey
    Vincent Dogbey

    African Studies Group and PhD Candidate

  • Profile picture of Selba Gondoza Luka
    Selba Gondoza Luka

    Founder, Afri-Aus Care

  • Profile picture of John Kuot
    John Kuot

    Public Servant

  • Profile picture of Muza Ntuwah
    Muza Ntuwah

    Board Member, African Think Tank

  • Profile picture of Padmini Sebastian OAM
    Padmini Sebastian OAM

    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.

  • Profile picture of Charlene Edwards
    Charlene Edwards

    Executive Officer, Melbourne Social Equity Institute

  • Profile picture of Karen Farquharson
    Professor Karen Farquharson

    Professor of Sociology and Vice President of Academic Board

  • Profile picture of Haileluel Gebre-Selassie OAM
    Haileluel Gebre-Selassie OAM

    AREiA Community Chair

  • Profile picture of Diana Johns
    Dr Diana Johns

    AREiA Academic Chair and Senior Lecturer, School of Social and Political Sciences

  • Profile picture of Ben Neville
    Associate Professor Ben Neville

    Department of Management and Marketing

  • Profile picture of Gerald Onsando
    Dr Gerald Onsando

    Research Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences

  • Profile picture of Precious Rametsana
    Precious Rametsana

    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

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