Learn about the activities and awards supported by the Research Foundation.

The Professor Ronald M and Dr Catherine H Berndt Research Foundation supports Australian Aboriginal social and cultural anthropology research.

In 1994 the Professor Ronald M and Dr Catherine H Berndt Research Foundation was established from a sum of money bequeathed to the University by Professor Ronald M and Dr Catherine H Berndt for the purpose of "encouraging and supporting research in the discipline of Australian Aboriginal Social and Cultural Anthropology", and to co-operate with Anthropology in the furtherance of social and cultural anthropological research in the area of Aboriginal Australia.

Activities

The provision of support for research in the area of Australian Indigenous social and cultural anthropology, including:

  • The granting of awards and scholarships;
  • Financial support for publication and dissemination of research.

Note: All awards and scholarships are advertised when open for applications.

Awards and scholarships

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellowship — Berndt Research Fellow.
    A three-year research position (anthropology of Indigenous Australia). The fellowship can be across any area of Australian Indigenous anthropology.
  • Annual Small Grant Scheme
    The BRF Small Grant scheme funds between $10–15,000 towards the costs associated with accessing and researching an aspect of the Berndt Museum (University of Western Australia) collections. Applicants must demonstrate how the Berndt Museum collections are essential to their research, and how their findings will be subsequently published and/or made available to the Berndt Museum and relevant communities.
  • Early Career Research (ECR) Grant
    Funding of $10,000 awarded annually in support of research on Australian Aboriginal social and cultural anthropology, and/or a cognate discipline, by an early career researcher from any Australian university. The award is available to PhD scholars in the final year of completion of their thesis or those within five years of the award of their PhD degree.
  • Honours Bursaries
    Two bursaries of $8,000 are awarded annually in support of honours students studying anthropology from any Australian university. One of the awards is reserved for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. Applications are open from October annually for award the following academic year.

Interest in awards and scholarships, and provision of application packs, can be made directly to the BRF through the email (below).

Foundation members

Professor Ronald M and Dr Catherine H Berndt Research Foundation Members include the following positions:

  • Co-Chair – Prof Alistair Paterson, School of Social Sciences, UWA
  • Co-Chair – Emeritus Professor David Trigger, Professor of Anthropology, School of Social Science, University of Queensland; Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, School of Social Science, UWA
  • Prof Jane Lydon, Wesfarmers Chair in Australian History, School of Humanities UWA
  • Dr Jilda Andrews, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Dr John Stanton, Trustee of the Estate of Catherine H Berndt, Adjunct Professor, School of Social Science
  • Carly Lane - Aboriginal Cultural Centre Project, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
  • Donna Oxenham, Research Student, Humanities – UWA, Co-opted member

Need more information?