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

Expressions of interest to attend the symposium are now closed. Please contact Ngarrngga-team@unimelb.edu.au if you have questions about this event.

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,