Indigenous Knowledges

Develop cross-cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities.

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Add Indigenous Knowledges to your degree

There are five ways that you can study Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University.

The Major in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices brings students on a transformative learning journey, delivering a comprehensive introduction to Indigenous Knowledges which extends beyond the social sciences to include health, culture and sciences.

You’ll explore how Indigenous knowledges shape and inform areas like wellbeing, governance, environmental stewardship, and community development.

The curriculum is built to be interdisciplinary, meaning you’ll engage with units and ideas that connect across faculties, giving you a rich, layered understanding of how Indigenous knowledges operate in both traditional and contemporary contexts and how they can be of benefit to broader society.

The Co-Major in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices offers a powerful and flexible option. Positioned between the depth of a full major and the focus of a minor, this co-major provides a well-rounded academic experience that engages with both complementary and alternative worldviews to Western-based disciplinary knowledge.

It’s designed to work alongside your main degree, allowing you to integrate Indigenous perspectives into fields like science, media, law, nursing, or the humanities—making your education more relevant, inclusive, and socially conscious.

Enrol in one of our seven interdisciplinary Minors and tailor your studies to explore themes like community development, social justice, health and wellbeing, law and practice, and more, all through the lens of Indigenous knowledges and practices.

You'll gain valuable insights into Indigenous worldviews, strengthen your intercultural competence, and graduate with the kind of social awareness and leadership skills that employers are increasingly looking for.

These are the seven interdisciplinary Minors:

From 2026, Discovery units will become a required part of all Murdoch University degrees. The following Indigenous Knowledges units have been approved as university-wide Discovery units:

Students can choose any of the units from the minor to add to their general electives.

Why study Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University?

Studying Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University broadens your perspective through engagement with worldviews that complement and challenge Western‑based disciplinary knowledge. You’ll be introduced to Indigenous Knowledges from a lens that extends beyond social sciences, including health and physical sciences and education.

Your studies will cover topics including Indigenous history, contemporary culture and approaches to social and emotional wellbeing, as well as the intersection between Western and Indigenous sciences, and how students can tackle diverse opinions within community on issues such as juvenile justice and Black Lives Matter.

Your understanding of Indigenous Knowledges gained throughout your learning journey will give you the skills to engage with and support Indigenous communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, in respectful and impactful ways.

Find out more about the School of Indigenous Knowledges.

A multi-discipline approach

You will take a multi-discipline approach covering social, health and physical sciences as well as education.

Real-world experience

Learn from Country via field trips to culturally significant sites and take part in workshops led by local Noongar community leaders.

Make a positive contribution

Make a positive contribution within Indigenous communities by applying your knowledge in respectful, collaborative ways.

Learning environment

You’ll benefit from immersive learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, including opportunities for field trips to culturally significant sites and workshops led by local Noongar community leaders. Learning from Country and from leading Indigenous academics provides insights that deepen understanding and cannot be replicated through theory alone. You'll also have the privilege of learning from leading Indigenous academics throughout your studies.

Career opportunities

Incorporating Indigenous Knowledges into your degree strengthens intercultural communication skills and deepens cross‑cultural understanding – capabilities that are increasingly valued across industries. As a graduate, you could apply Indigenous perspectives to support positive outcomes in areas such as community development, health, education, policy, environmental management and social justice.