Using culturally sensitive collections

We are committed to developing culturally competent practices and changing past policies and procedures in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples. 

There may be times when these resources may breach copyright, relevant lore/laws, or contain culturally sensitive information. Use the information on this page to raise an issue with a resource or access support.

Cultural advice for resources and sites

To support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in using Library materials, we do our best to notify you where collections or sites (including in Library Search and UQ eSpace) contain culturally sensitive information.

We are not always able to notify you about whether external resources (including databases or external links) contain culturally sensitive information. Please navigate the external resources we link to with careful consideration of any cultural sensitivities.

Cultural advice statement

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised the Library and our websites may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander material and information accessed on this site may be culturally sensitive for some individuals and communities. 

Some material may contain language, terms, or descriptions that reflect the authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may be considered inappropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of The University of Queensland.  While the information may not reflect current understandings, it is provided in an historical context.

Flag a resource for review or make a takedown request 

You can flag or request the takedown of resources that you believe breach copyright, relevant laws, or lore, or contain culturally sensitive information. We will investigate the materials and work with you to resolve the matter promptly. 

Contact us to report a resource

Email us at indigenous-enquiries@library.uq.edu.au.

Please provide:

  • your name, email and phone number
  • details about the material, including: 
    • the full website URL where the material was found
    • resources of concern and the reason, e.g. copyright, privacy, obscenity, defamation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural protocols, or another issue.

If the request relates to copyright, please include supporting documentation that you are the rights holder or an authorised representative.

How we will respond to your report

We will investigate your request and may:

  • determine that the collection can remain available and unchanged
  • apply an appropriate cultural advice statement (where we control the collection)
  • temporarily restrict, mediate or remove (takedown) items
  • where items are restricted, mediated or taken down - we may restore them unchanged or with changes.

We will advise you on the actions we have taken including whether a collection has been altered, restricted or taken down.

Guiding documents and principles 

The development of our cultural advice statement and process for the review of culturally sensitive materials was guided by the following documents and trauma-informed and Indigenous record-keeping practices and discussions.

Wellbeing support resources

We understand that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may interact with resources within UQ Collections that are outdated, offensive and retraumatising. If you or someone you know is affected by these materials, you may like to contact one or more of the following services: