About CAEPR
The Centre
CAEPR was established in March 1990 under an agreement between the Australian National University (ANU) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). In 1999, after review, CAEPR was established as an independent Centre within the University. The Centre's research is supported by funding from the ANU, the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA), and the Australia Research Council, and from industry partners including Reconciliation Australia, Rio Tinto, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, and the Northern Territory and Western Australian governments.
Functions
CAEPR's rolling triennial research program is formulated through an annual planning process. Our current plan is divided into four broad research themes:
- Economic, cultural and social circumstances
- Economic development aspirations and sustainable futures
- Governance, policy and the state
- Education and learning for life
The Centre's research focuses on both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians despite its name, which reflects an original contractual requirement and is retained owing to its established reputation.
CAEPR's Mission
CAEPR’s mission is to contribute to better outcomes for Indigenous Australians by informing constructive academic and public debates based on innovative research; analysing changes in Indigenous socio-economic status; and informing and influencing policy formation. CAEPR will do this with research, teaching and outreach that combines academic excellence of the highest international standards with realism, objectivity and relevance.
CAEPR's Vision
CAEPR’s vision is to be a national centre at the Australian National University, leading in research and teaching excellence on Indigenous economic and social development and public policy.
Advisory Committee
CAEPR operates under a Director who is assisted by an Advisory Committee. Professor Jon Altman, Foundation Director since July 1990, is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the overall operation of the Centre and also reports to the Chair of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee comprises five senior ANU academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, two Indigenous community representative nominated by the Advisory Committee, and a senior officer from the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA), nominated by the Secretary of that department. The Advisory Committee meets twice each calendar year.
Consultancies
CAEPR has completed commissioned consultancies for agencies such as Land Councils and Native Title Representative Bodies, Australian National Audit Office, ATSIC, Deparment of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Bureau of Resource Sciences, Resource Assessment Commission, and Environment Australia.
All consultancies undertaken by CAEPR staff must be approved by the Director and the CAEPR Advisory Committee or its Chairman. Consultancies must be closely associated with CAEPR's overall research objectives and all consultancy outcomes are published either by commissioning agencies or by CAEPR.
CAEPR and the ANU
The Centre enjoys close working relationships with many parts of the University. CAEPR staff present the MAAPD course Development Dilemmas for Indigenous Australians. CAEPR staff regularly provide other guest lectures at the ANU, supervise postgraduate students from other departments, and assist undergraduate and postgraduate students where appropriate
