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Critical Conversations: First Nations Education Policy in Practice
A one-day symposium bringing together distinguished Indigenous education scholars, policy leaders, and future Indigenous education leaders for genuine dialogue about implementing change in Indigenous education in schools and education systems.
Limited participants; designed for real conversations.
About the Symposium
Critical Conversations: First Nations Education Policy in Practice is a one-day symposium set against the backdrop of the Australian Government's First Nations Education Policy. It brings together three panels of speakers and attendees including principals, deputy principals, senior education leaders, system and sector policy leaders, educators with leadership responsibilities, Indigenous education academics, and community stakeholders.
Unlike a traditional conference, the symposium establishes an intimate, deliberative space for an opportunity to listen deeply, exchange ideas, and engage in cross-sector dialogue.
Date: 19 November 2026
Time: 08:30–16:30 (registration from 08:30)
Venue: StudioFive, Level 5 Kwong Lee Dow Building, 234 Queensberry Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Why Attend?
Hear from leading Indigenous education scholars – Distinguished academics share decades of accumulated insight, lessons learned, and their vision for the field
Understand contemporary research and innovation – Future Indigenous education leaders share cutting-edge research and innovative solutions
Hear directly from policy leaders – Understand what is now possible and where barriers remain in the current policy landscape
Connect with practitioners – School leaders and educators share implementation realities and what support is needed
Contribute to shaping the future – Participate in identifying shared priorities and cross-sector commitments to action
The Program
There will be three panel discussions, as well as a collaborative session.
Panel 1: Senior Indigenous Education Leaders (09:30–10:45)
Including Emeritus Professor Tracey Bunda AM, Professor Marcia Langton AO and Aunty Dr Lois Peeler AM
Distinguished Indigenous education scholars share their vision for the field, lessons learned over their careers, and what they see as non-negotiable for Indigenous education.
Panel 2: Policy and System Leaders (11:15–12:45)
Featuring senior leaders from the Department of Education, ACARA, AITSL, AERO and ESA.
Policy and system leaders contextualise what is now possible in the current education landscape and discuss where barriers remain.
Panel 3: Future Indigenous Education Leaders (13:45–15:15)
Including Professor Peter Anderson, Professor Joe Sambono, and Professor Melitta Hogarth
Future Indigenous education leaders share contemporary research directions and innovative solutions, articulating how they will carry this work forward.
Final Collaborative Session (15:30–16:30)
All participants come together to identify shared priorities, discuss cross-sector commitments, and explore what needs to happen next.
Who Should Attend?
Principals and deputy principals
Senior education leaders
System and sector policy leaders
Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators with leadership responsibilities
Indigenous education academics
Indigenous education community stakeholders
How To Register
We are accepting expressions of interest from education leaders, practitioners, academics, and community stakeholders. There is no cost to attend, however there are limited places available. Selection based on EOI responses to ensure a diverse mix of perspectives and experience.
Closing Date for EOIs: 14 September 2026.
Additional Details
Full Program
08:30–09:00 – Registration and welcome
09:00–09:15 – Welcome to Country and opening remarks
09:30–10:45 – Panel 1: Senior Indigenous Education Leaders
10:45–11:15 – Morning tea
11:15–12:45 – Panel 2: Policy and System Leaders
12:45–13:45 – Lunch and networking
13:45–15:15 – Panel 3: Future Indigenous Education Leaders
15:15–15:30 – Break
15:30–16:30 – Final collaborative session
16:30 – Event close
Speaker Bios
Panel 1: Senior Indigenous Education Leaders
Speaker bios to come.
Panel 2: Policy and System Leaders
Speaker bios to come.
Panel 3: Future Indigenous Education Leaders
Speaker bios to come.
Contact Us
If you have further questions about the symposium, please get touch with the Ngarrngga team by emailing us at Ngarrngga-team@unimelb.edu.au,
