SAGE is proud to award AIMS its second Cygnet Award, recognising the Institute’s significant work to deepen Indigenous Partnerships and embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ voices, knowledges, and leadership throughout its research and operations.
Dr Janin Bredehoeft, CEO of SAGE, congratulated AIMS on the award: “AIMS has demonstrated that meaningful partnership with Traditional Owners requires more than good intentions—it takes humility, investment, and sustained commitment. This Cygnet recognises the cultural and structural transformation underway at AIMS and the leadership they are showing within the research sector.”
From transactional to transformational
AIMS acknowledged that it lacked the internal capability, dedicated roles, and cultural understanding necessary for genuine Indigenous engagement. Staff expressed fears about “getting it wrong” and a lack of clarity around protocols. Compounding this was a broader legacy of extractive, transactional relationships between science institutions and Traditional Owners.
To address these issues, AIMS created a dedicated Indigenous Partnerships team and appointed a Senior Indigenous Partnerships Advisor in 2021 to lead internal transformation and guide respectful engagement across all areas of the Institute.
This was accompanied by the development of a Cultural Capability Framework, an internal protocol guide, and comprehensive staff training, which empowered staff to build respectful and reciprocal relationships.
“The training opened my eyes – I feel more confident in how I approach our Traditional Owner partners and more aware of my responsibility as a scientist to listen and learn,” said one AIMS staff member.
Case Study: The Indigenous Futures Project
As part of the Indigenous Futures Project, Indigenous Rangers from six Traditional Owner groups gathered on Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef on Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Byelle and Taribelang Bunda land and sea Country to train in advanced reef restoration techniques developed through the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP).
Photo credits: Marie Roman (inset); Roeina Edmund (banner image)
Culture change and community impact
These efforts led to measurable shifts in internal culture and external relationships. Staff surveys reflect growing cultural capability and openness, and Traditional Owner partners are seeing the difference.
“AIMS’ willingness to walk alongside us and take the time to understand our culture and protocols has meant a lot. It’s not just consultation – it’s real partnership,” said one Traditional Owner collaborator.
The transformation has strengthened AIMS’ role as a research partner, not just a stakeholder, creating new opportunities for co-designed research and shared authority in marine science.
Looking ahead
AIMS now plans to expand its Indigenous Partnerships team and embed Indigenous knowledge more deeply across core research programs. This next phase focuses on long-term, equitable partnerships—grounded in listening, reciprocity, and shared leadership.
With this Cygnet, AIMS continues to lead by example, demonstrating how science can grow stronger through respect, collaboration, and inclusion.
Find out more
This Award builds on AIMS’s Athena Swan Bronze Award, and marks a milestone on their pathway to Athena Swan Silver accreditation.
You can read all about AIMS’s actions, and the outcomes and impacts, in their full Cygnet Award application, or read an overview version in this progress and impact summary.
