The University of Queensland

I am a Saltwater woman, with family ties to the Darug, Awabakal, Garigal and Wiradyuri peoples, of NSW.

I am the Associate PRME Director - Indigenous Engagement for UQ Business School.

I have a PhD in the degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Management). My thesis is entitled: Private-sector employment programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Comparative case studies.

I completed my Honours thesis in 2006, entitled “Is mentoring an effective Human Resource strategy to redress labour market disadvantage for Indigenous Australians: A qualitative study of mentoring outcomes for Indigenous trainees at the University of Newcastle”.

I am a staunch Unionist with left wing political views.

Research Expertise My current research areas include: Closing the Gap on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage in Education and Employment, Labour Market disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment strategies, Managing Diversity in Organisations, Employment Relations and the importance of unions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander labour history, Corporate Social responsibility / Corporate Governance / Student association governance, Indigenous Entrepreneurship / Indigenous Leadership, Indigenous Enabling education & Indigenous HDR success.

Teaching Expertise Sharlene is leading the Indigenisation of curriculum for the UQ Business School. other teaching expertise are: Industrial relations, diversity management, negotiation and advocacy. Aboriginal studies, Aboriginal labour history, Aboriginal employment, enabling courses for Aboriginal students

Administrative Expertise 12 successful grants

Collaborations Research collaborations include: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community engagement, Enabling Pedagogies, Enabling education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, Workplace mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Increasing participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Business Schools.

Service / Leadership Sharlene is an active participant in university and community service roles. Sharlene is an elected member of the UQ Academic Board, and is a representative on the HDR Committee of Academic Board. At a Faculty level, Sharlene is the lead of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander node of the BEL Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee and contributed to the formulation of the Bel RAP Implementation Plan. At a school level, Sharlene is the Associate PRME Director for Indigenous Engagement and leads the Indigenisation of the curriculum within the UQ Business School and sits on the schools Research and Impact Committee. External to the university, Sharlene is the Chair of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee, the Chair of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) First Nations Committee and the Deputy Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Sharlene is the President of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduates Association (NATSIPA) and sits on the National representative Committee and the Board of the Council of Australian Postgraduates Association (CAPA).

Awards Sharlene was the recipient of the UQ Business School Recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Community, Diversity and Inclusion and a UQ Commendation Aawrd for Excellence in Reconciliaiton in 2021. In 2008 Sharlene was the recipient of an Australia Day Award from the Council of Women NSW - Office of Women - Department of Premier and Cabinet.