Staff Profile – Dr Robyn Ober Celebrates 30 Years at Batchelor Institute

“Remember, we are here to inspire, encourage, empower and equip our students to step into key positions in their own communities and nations.”

Mamu-Bagirgabara woman from North Queensland, our longest serving staff member, teacher and researcher, Dr Robyn Ober, hopes to celebrate her 30th year at Batchelor Institute in the most noble way – by leading a major investigation into teaching Indigenous schoolchildren in English.

Robyn said, “Aboriginal parents have always said that they want their children to understand English so that they can survive in both worlds. Children need to be competent in English literacy. We want to research how we can support children who are strong in their own culture but need that language of power.”

Robyn is particularly interested in how technology can be used to support teaching.

Most children living on Aboriginal communities speak English only as a third, fourth or even fifth language.
Many others, particularly those living in urban centres, such as Katherine, often speak Kriol, a simplified blending of more than one language.

Robyn said her research team wanted to look at ways to be innovative in the use of technology as a learning tool.

She said Aboriginal children were as “tech savvy” as other youngsters.

Dr Ober has become the Indigenous Scholar In-Residence at the University of Melbourne and is now applying to the Australian Research Centre, the country’s peak research body, for a grant to conduct the research.

Her team includes two renowned academics: Professor Gillian Wigglesworth and Dr Helen Zhao.

Robyn did her teacher training at what was then Batchelor College from 1983-86.

She then taught in remote Territory schools and an inner city Brisbane school for seven years before returning to Batchelor Institute in 1991 – first as a lecturer and then researcher.

Robyn still teaches, through a Batchelor Institute and Charles Darwin University partnership, and is involved in several research projects.

Her proudest moment was receiving her PhD in 2019, particularly as the ceremony was conducted at Batchelor campus – “where it all began for me”.

“We are continuous learners, no matter our age, experiences, qualifications or titles.

“Look for opportunities to collaborate, network, form partnerships within BIITE but also externally in other Australian and international universities and organisations.

“Don’t give up – keep moving forward, be an inspiration to your colleagues and especially your students.

“Remember, we are here to inspire, encourage, empower and equip our students to step into key positions in their own communities and nations.”