Engineering Education and Pathways for Indigenous Women: Survey for Academic Staff

About this survey

Academic staff are invited to participate in this survey about engineering education and employment for Indigenous women.

The project aims to explore and develop engineering study and career pathways for Indigenous women in remote, regional and urban communities in Northern Australia. It will explore issues related to existing study pathways in engineering for Indigenous students in general, opportunities for Indigenous women to study engineering at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and other Australian universities, mentoring and monitoring plan for Indigenous engineering students, as well as career opportunities for Indigenous engineering graduate. It will also include identification of potential engineering industry providers to partner with CDU to develop learning and teaching pathways for Indigenous women learners.

This research project is conducted by CDU researchers and supported by the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society (CIFAS), the Northern Institute (NI) and CDU College of Engineering, Information Technology and Environment (CEITE).

Please spare a few minutes to complete our survey. This is an anonymous survey; no personal data will be collected. Your response will form part of a final project report.

The survey should take no more than 5 minutes (on average) to complete. By continuing with and completing this survey you acknowledge your consent for your response to be collected.

Thank you for your valuable input.

Question Title

* 1. Are Indigenous women studying engineering at your institution?

Yes

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Do you think Indigenous women are under-represented in engineering studies in Australia?

Yes

Maybe

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. Are there any existing pathways for Indigenous students into engineering studies at your institution?

Yes, targeted pathways specifically for all Indigenous students

Yes, targeted pathways specifically for Indigenous women students

No existing pathways specific for Indigenous students (Please skip to Question 6)

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. What are the targeted pathways to improve access to engineering education for Indigenous women in your college?

Case-by-case

Followed university policy

College has specific strategic plan

Unknown

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. What time period was the targeted pathways to improve access to engineering education for Indigenous women in your college implemented?

2011-2020

2006-2010

2000-2005

Before 2000

Unknown

Question Title

* 6. What would you suggest the engineering education provider should do to improve the pathways further? (Choose more than one option if relevant)

Create an Engineering Indigenous Advisory Committee (Leaders in Indigenous Communities)

Create an Indigenous Engineering Reference Group (Indigenous Engineers working in Industry)

Increase Engineering Indigenous Lecturers in the College

Mentoring Indigenous students and staff

Industry partnership

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. What teaching and learning strategies are in place to support Indigenous women studying engineering at your institution? (Choose more than one option if relevant)

Cultural awareness training for academic teaching staff

Invited Indigenous women who work in Industry to present a guest lecture

Incorporating an Indigenous pedagogy with real world and relevant examples

Mentoring Indigenous students and staff

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Are there existing support mechanisms (such as scholarships or stipends) for Indigenous women enrolling in engineering in your institution or college?

Yes, specific educational and funding supports for all indigenous students

Yes, specific educational and funding supports for indigenous women students

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Do you know if there are any strategies currently in place to inform prospective Indigenous students to study engineering at your institution? (Choose more than one option if relevant)

Yes, high school information session(s) delivered in remote area schools (online and/or face to face)

Yes, high school information session(s) delivered in urban areas

Yes, VET and/or Higher Education information session(s)

No strategies currently employed

Unknown

Other comments (please specify)