Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded, but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of AIATSIS. While the information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided in an historical context.

Research themes

We specialise in the areas of languages and cultural expression, native title and traditional ownership, education and cultural transmission, governance development and public policy, health and wellbeing, and land and water.

Native title and traditional ownership

We protect the Native Title and traditional ownership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through research and policy advice.

Governance and public policy

Governance is the way a group of people organise themselves credibly and effectively to collectively achieve the things that matter to them. To do that people need rules and values about who they are as a group, and how they behave and relate to each other.