Wili Suluma

Projects 2
Publications 7
Awards 4

Contact Details

Lecturer, Education (Indigenous [Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander] Education)

    Biography

    Dr Wili Suluma, BEd, PGDE, GC(Tertiary Tchg), PGDE(Tertiary Tchg), MEd(Research), MSc(Science Ed), PhD., is a Lecturer in Indigenous education. His experience includes teaching and school leadership in the Pacific and Australia, including remote communities of the Northern Territory. His PhD examined the purpose of education for remote Aboriginal students in the Northern Territory of Australia, drawing on the Internal Colonisation Theory and Human Capital Theory. His work focuses on decolonising education and creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments. His research interests include challenging dominant narratives, rethinking curriculum, and centering Indigenous and marginalised voices in educational spaces. He advocates for educational systems that reflect diverse epistemologies and ontologies and actively engage in practices that interrogate colonial legacies in pedagogy, policy, and institutional structures.

    Research

    Research Interests

    Indigenous Education

    Society and Education

    Inclusive Education

    Equity in Education

    Rural and remote Education

    Projects

    Research Collaborators and Partners

    University of New South Wales
    Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
    James Cook University
    University of New South Wales
    James Cook University
    James Cook University
    University of the South Pacific
    University of Alberta
    James Cook University

    Teaching

    Research Advisor Accreditation

    Advisor Type

    Secondary


    Taught Modules

    Current JCU Research Students

    Using game-based learning applications to support learning culturally safe and/or sensitive critical information literacy skills for students conducting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related research.
    Doctor of Philosophy (Education)
    Experiences of Iranian Global Talent Independent Visa Holders in the Australian Job Market: Navigating Employment Opportunities and Employer Attitudes
    Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)

    Completed JCU Research Students

    Exploring Picturebooks as Pedagogical Resources for Understanding Kanaky/New Caledonian Identities
    Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)- 2025

    Activities

    Outreach

    Consultancy

    Other Activities

    Associations

    Awards

    Employment

    Output

    Udah, Hyacinth; Suluma, Wili; Jordan, Lucy (2026) 'Academic freedom as an ethical imperative: pedagogies for teaching across difference in social work education'. Social Work Education, . [DOI]
    Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
    Suluma, Wili; Burnett, Greg (2025) 'The Boarding School Education of Remote Aboriginal Students'. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 35 (2):51-69. [DOI]
    Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
    Burnett, Greg; Suluma, Wili (2024) 'Formal education in Nauru: A Pacific development assistance story'. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 65 (2):276-287. [DOI]
    Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
    Taylor, Neil; Maiwaikatakata, Tema; Biukoto, Emele; Suluma, Wili; Coll, Richard K. (2008) 'Improving Elementary Science Education in a Developing Country: A Case Study from Fiji'. International Journal of Educational Reform, 17 (2):133-152. [DOI]
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Suluma, Wili (2008) Fifth International Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education . In: Fisher, Darrell;Koul, Rekha eds. Primary Science Curriculum. The constraints and limitations of learning and teaching on an 'over-stuffed' science curriculum: A case study from Fiji Udon Thani, Thailand,
    Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Suluma, Wili (2025) WIPCE 2025: World Indigenous Peoples' Conference for Education Exploring the purpose of education for Aboriginal students in remote communities in the Northern Territory Auckland, New Zealand, .
    Conference Contribution Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
    Suluma, Wili (2019) Think Indigenous Education International Conference 2019 Remote Indigenous students in Australia & boarding school: The question of capital benefits Edmonton, Canada, .
    Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU