Rhonda Craven, Georgia Durmush, Alicia Franklin, Diego Vasconcellos, Anthony Dillon, Bronte Powell, Violet Craven-Miller, Alexander S. Yeung, Jennifer McMullan, Adoni Chessells, Zane Ratcliff, Ryan St John, Katelyn Bell
This study evaluated the Deadly Indigenous Research Internship, a program designed to immerse Indigenous Australian undergraduate students in research, foster academic and research skills, strengthen cultural pride and promote aspirations for further education. A total of 10 interns completed a structured survey, and seven participated in in-depth interviews to examine their motivations for joining, experiences within the program, and perceived impacts on their self-concept and academic pathways. Results indicated that the program had a significant positive influence on research self-concept, development of skills, academic motivation and cultural identity. These findings underscore the importance of culturally grounded, community-engaged internship programs for Indigenous university students.