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Research Projects

Djinjama is committed to understanding, influencing and championing diverse Indigenous knowledges through our research projects. Our research is guided by our director, Dr Danièle Hromek. Danièle’s PhD was passed without further correction by her examiners. Now she publishes her research independently, and with collaborators including the broader Djinjama team. 

Our research considers how to elevate First Nations voices and spatial knowledge in the built environment, contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of Country through built projects, Indigenous experiences in spaces, sustainable futures and cultures, spatial equity and spatial justice, and other topics related to Indigenous peoples’ lives and cultural expressions. 

Our Research

Djinjama has collaborated on and completed a number of research projects to celebrate and elevate First Nations voices across diverse spaces and topics. Some are shared below.

Protecting Cultural Knowledge and Intellectual Property in Built Environment Projects’ is a Guidance Note which forms part of Walk Together: Design Guided by Country – a new framework being developed by FNAC. Its aim is to provide in depth practical advice about how to protect cultural knowledge that may be shared in built environment projects.
Terms, Concepts and Shared Understandings is a resource that explores critical definitions specific to architecture and design. It provides ways of understanding that are important to use appropriately when working with First Nations Peoples and built environment projects.
The First Nations Terminology guide helps architects and built environment professionals understand and use the right language, phrases, and terminology.
Authored via deep yarns with FNAC members and other First Nations built environment professionals, the Cultural Safety Policy provides critical guidance to the Australian Institute of Architects’ employees, members and the broader industry regarding cultural safety and working in a culturally safe manner with First Nations Peoples.
A dedicated platform for built environment professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of culturally respectful and appropriate design for First Nations peoples.
Developed for Gunyama Park and Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre
The Connecting with Country Framework is a guide for good practice to help built environment professionals, clients and government respond to Country when they plan, design and deliver built environment projects.
The NSW Public Spaces Charter has been developed to support the planning, design, management and activation of public spaces in NSW
The National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) identifies the skills, knowledge and capabilities required for the general practice of architecture in Australia
Guidance for New South Wales public servants and other professionals in relation to the use of Aboriginal languages
A resource used to provide Social Impact Assessment practitioners and project teams

Cultural Sensitivity Warning

For some First Nations communities it is customary not to mention names or reproduce images associated with the recently deceased. Members of these communities are respectfully advised that there may be people who have passed away mentioned in writing or depicted in image in on this website.