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Professor Peter Buckskin

  • Dean: Aboriginal Engagement & Strategic Projects External Relations and Strategic Projects
  • City West Campus (H5-06)
  • tel +61 8 830 29148
  • email Peter.Buckskin@unisa.edu.au

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  • Available for media comment
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Ms Tamara Hunyadi 8302 0036, Office of External Engagement & Strategic Projects Portfolio, Chancellery & Council

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About me

About me

Professor Peter Buckskin

Professor Peter Buckskin is Dean: Aboriginal Engagement & Strategic Projects (AESP) at the University of South Australia (UniSA).

Newly created in 2016, the Dean will play an important role in promoting the University nationally and internationally and providing advice to the University on building and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal communities.

Prior to taking up the position of Dean: AESP, Professor Buckskin was Dean: Indigenous Scholarship, Engagement and Research; and prior to that was Dean and Head of School of the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research.

Before joining UniSA in 2006, Professor Buckskin has held high public office as a Ministerial Adviser, Superintendent of Schools, and ... Read more

Other UniSA associations

  • Reconciliation SA
  • MATSITI (More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative)
  • NATSIHEC [National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (Aboriginal Corporation)]
  • RRR (Respect, Relationships, Reconciliation)
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About me

Professor Peter Buckskin is Dean: Aboriginal Engagement & Strategic Projects (AESP) at the University of South Australia (UniSA).

Newly created in 2016, the Dean will play an important role in promoting the University nationally and internationally and providing advice to the University on building and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal communities.

Prior to taking up the position of Dean: AESP, Professor Buckskin was Dean: Indigenous Scholarship, Engagement and Research; and prior to that was Dean and Head of School of the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research.

Before joining UniSA in 2006, Professor Buckskin has held high public office as a Ministerial Adviser, Superintendent of Schools, and a Senior Executive at both State and Commonwealth level in the portfolios of Aboriginal Affairs, Employment, Education and Training.

In 2012, Professor Buckskin was appointed Convenor of the State's Advisory Committee on the recognition of Aboriginal people in the South Australian Constitution Act 1934.

In 2013, Professor Buckskin co-chaired the development of UniSA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

In conjunction with UniSA College, Professor Buckskin led the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deadly Alumni Chapter which is specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates of UniSA.

Professor Buckskin successfully project directed a $7.5 million More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative (MATSITI) – a collaboration which established 60 school and university partnerships, compiled comprehensive data and evidence in teacher education and school employment, and developed a comprehensive series of promotional strategies for Indigenous teachers to consider education a career of choice.

Professor Buckskin in his role as Dean: AESP, is also Co-Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander University of Choice project; Member of the Indigenous Participation, Education, Employment Group (IPEEG) and Chair of the Aboriginal Employment Working Group (AEWG).

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Professional Associations

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Experience

Qualifications

  • Diploma of Teaching Mount Lawley College of Advanced Education

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  • About me
  • Experience
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Research

Research themes

  • Transforming societies

Highlights

Aboriginal Knowledges; Race and Racism; International Perspectives and Perceptions; Reconciliation; Aboriginal Education; Public Policy

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Research

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Projects

Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.

  • Excellence and Equity in Maths: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Achievement and Tertiary Aspirations in Mathematics, Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, 05/11/2014 - 31/05/2018

  • More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative, Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 22/07/2011 - 31/07/2016

Other projects

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative (MATSITI)

MATSITI - a four year national scheme to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people entering and remaining in professional teaching positions in Australian schools.

The $7.5 million MATSITI Initiative was announced by the then Commonwealth Minister for Schools, Early Childhood and Youth, the Hon. Peter Garrett MP, in July 2011 and was funded by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The project concluded on 31 May 2016 with reporting commitments concluding 24 June 2016. 

Respect, Relationships and Reconciliation (RRR)

RRR: - an on-line module to support the provision of initial teacher education to improve teaching in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.

In response to a request for proposal from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in 2013; UniSA along with consortium partners Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE), University of Southern Queensland and La Trobe University successfully tendered for $385,000 project.

AITSL have provided an additional $85,000 to complete and release the project in June 2016.

Excellence and Equity in Maths: Indigenous Student Achievement and Tertiary Aspirations in Mathematics 

In 2014, the MATSITI team was successful in winning $783,000 in Federal Government funding from the Australian Maths and Science Partnerships Program (AMSPP). This project was led in partnership with the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.

The three-year national project aims to achieve mathematics excellence and equity in schooling and tertiary education choices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The initiative aims to:

  • close the gap in achievement in numeracy and mathematics education between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the total student population in Australian schools; and
  • address the under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in higher education, particularly in mathematics and the sciences. 

Accelerating Indigenous Higher Education

In 2015, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium [Aboriginal Corporation] (NATSIHEC) was identified as the key mechanism for engagement regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education. As Chair, Professor Buckskin secured $335,000 from the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training funding for the Accelerating Indigenous Higher Education project for 2016. The project aims to engage experts and leaders in university and industry to:

  • determine approaches to improve Indigenous outcomes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);
  • increase the Indigenous academic workforce; and
  • support whole-of-university approaches to improving Indigenous higher education outcomes.
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Research

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Outputs

Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ResearcherID

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Chapters

Year Output
2012

Buckskin, P 2012, 'Engaging indigenous students: the important relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their teachers', in K Price (ed.), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education: an introduction for the teaching profession, Cambridge University Press, Australia, ch. 11 , pp. 164-180.

2009

Buckskin, P 2009, 'Hawke and Ryan: an acceleration of indigenous education policy', in Gerry Bloustien, Alison Mackinnon & Barbara Comber, The Hawke Legacy, Wakefield Press, Australia, pp. 83-95.

Conferences

Year Output
2009

Buckskin, P 2009, 'Indigenous Education Outcomes: Are the Answers in the Mainstream?', Curriculum Corporation Conference 2008, RMIT Publishing, pp. 1-10.

Reports

Year Output
2016

Buckskin, P 2016, More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative: final report, MATSITI, Australia.

Open access
2011

Buckskin, P, Malin, M, Warrior, E, Wyld, F & Meagher, S 2011, Engagement, focus and hope for the future: the Port Augusta partnerships for success program, Ninti One Limited, Australia.

Open access

Other outputs

Conferences

2015 - Buckskin, P, ‘Claiming the Space: Building Cultural Integrity in the Western Academy by respecting the place of Indigenous Knowledges, Insights and Understandings’, Indigenous Content in Education Symposium.

2015 - Buckskin, P, ‘Advancing Reconciliation in Early Childhood Education and Care’, Early Childhood Australia Reconciliation Symposium.

2015 - Buckskin, P, ‘A Generation of Change: Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation’, United Nations Youth South Australian Conference.

2014 - Buckskin, P, ‘Teaching for Cultural Diversity: Australian Indigenous Perspectives in Curriculum and Workforce Quality’, 17th United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (UNESCO-APEID) International Conference.

2013 - Buckskin, P, ‘Policy to Praxis: addressing the tension between what happens inside versus what happens outside the school gates?’ Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Annual International Conference.

2013 - Buckskin, P, ‘Does the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cross-curriculum priority pass the cultural integrity test?’ Australian Curriculum Studies Association Biennial Curriculum Conference.

2013 - Buckskin, P, ‘Connecting the dots for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners … Australian Curriculum; National Standards for Teachers and Leaders; and Closing the Gap’, Department of Education, Western Australia.

2013 - Buckskin, P, ‘The elephant in the Australian staff room: Introducing race into debates over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational outcomes’, Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland (CERES) International Conference.

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Research

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Current research & highlights

Aboriginal Knowledges; Race and Racism; International Perspectives and Perceptions; Reconciliation; Aboriginal Education; Public Policy

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External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Highlights

  • Finalist, South Australia's 2016 Australian of the Year awards. 
  • Honorary Doctorate of Education from the World Indigenous Nations University (WINU) for his life-long commitment and outstanding contributions to Indigenous education locally, nationally and internationally, 2015.
  • Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE), 2007.
  • Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, National Deadly Awards, 2005.
  • Frank G Klassen Award for Leadership and Contribution to Teacher Education from the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), 2003.
  • Aboriginal Person of the Year, South Australian National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Awards, 2003
  • Commonwealth Public Service Medal (PSM), 2001.
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External engagement & recognition

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Collaborations

Organisation Country
Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia AUSTRALIA
Private Individual AUSTRALIA
University of South Australia AUSTRALIA
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External engagement & recognition

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External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition Year

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board representative

Australian Council of Deans of Education

2018

Board Member

The Lowitja Institute

2018

Chair

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium [Aboriginal Corporation] (NATSIHEC)

2018

Chair

South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC)

2018

Chair

Tauondi Aboriginal College

2018

Council Member

Australian Research Council (ARC)

2018

Executive Member

World Indigenous Network of Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC)

2018

Member, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Advisory Group

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)

2018

Member, Aboriginal Research Council

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

2018

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board representative

Australian Council of Deans of Education

2017

Board Member

The Lowitja Institute

2017

Chair

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium [Aboriginal Corporation] (NATSIHEC)

2017

Chair

South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC)

2017

Chair

Tauondi Aboriginal College

2017

Council Member

Australian Research Council (ARC)

2017

Executive Member

World Indigenous Network of Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC)

2017

Member, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Advisory Group

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)

2017

Member, Aboriginal Research Council

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

2017

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board representative

Australian Council of Deans of Education

2016

Board Member

The Lowitja Institute

2016

Chair

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium [Aboriginal Corporation] (NATSIHEC)

2016

Chair

South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC)

2016

Chair

Tauondi Aboriginal College

2016

Co-Chair

Reconciliation South Australia

2016

Contributor

Australian 2020 Summit of leaders and thinkers contributing to a vision for Australia future

2016

Council Member

Australian Research Council (ARC)

2016

Executive Member

World Indigenous Network of Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC)

2016

Finalist

South Australia 2016 Australian of the Year award

2016

Member, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Advisory Group

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)

2016

Member, Aboriginal Research Council

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

2016

Honorary Doctorate of Education

World Indigenous Nations University (WINU)

2015

Convenor

State's Advisory Committee on the recognition of Aboriginal people in the South Australian Constitution Act 1934

2012

working Group of Experts to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva

2009

Other

International: 

  • Executive Member, World Indigenous Network of Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC).
  • Participant, 2009 Working Group of Experts to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples who reported to the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
  • Member, Australian National Commission to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) 1984-1986.

National:

  • Chair, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium [Aboriginal Corporation] (NATSIHEC).
  • Council Member, Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Advisory Council.
  • Board Member, The Lowitja Institute.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board representative, Australian Council of Deans of Education.
  • Member, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Advisory Group, Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
  • Contributor, Australian 2020 Summit of leaders and thinkers contributing to a vision for Australia’s future. 

State:

  • Chair, South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC).
  • Co-Chair, Reconciliation South Australia.
  • Convenor of the State's Advisory Committee in 2012 on the recognition of Aboriginal people in the South Australian Constitution Act 1934.
  • Member, SA Health and Medical Research Institute Aboriginal Research Council (SAHMRI).

Local:

  • Chair, Tauondi Aboriginal College
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Courses and programs

Courses I teach and/or co-ordinate

  • EDUC 2061 Teaching and Learning in Aboriginal Education (2018)
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Gallery

Professor Peter Buckskin
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