Home organisation:​ Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
Destination:​ United Kingdom – University of Oxford ​

“My career has been directed towards one goal: advancing the health of the Indigenous Australian population.  My intention is to utilise the expertise of others to contribute to and advance the cause of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their health and wellbeing.”

Ray is from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and was the first Indigenous graduate with a PhD from the Australian National University in the field of epidemiology.

Travelling to the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, Ray will work with world leading teams to develop the first national longitudinal study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.

“My Endeavour fellowship will provide me with both the skills and the confidence to apply my international knowledge in my own country. The application of what I acquire will influence positively the longitudinal study. My intention is to utilise the expertise of others to contribute to and advance the cause of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their health and wellbeing,”
Ray said.

Ray’s fellowship will allow him to design aspects of a large-scale longitudinal study for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. The study will be called Mayi Kuwayu, the word mayi translating to ‘Aboriginal person’ and kuwayu translating to ‘over a long time’. In combination with Australian experts, the University of Oxford have expressed an interest in the design and ongoing implementation of the longitudinal study. As a result, a collaborative and ongoing relationship with the University of Oxford will be established through his Endeavour programme.

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