Copyright © eContent Management Pty Ltd. Contemporary Nurse (2013) 46(1): 6–12.
Building Indigenous Australian research capacity Jacinta Kim Elston, Vicki Saunders, Barbara Hayes, Roxanne Bainbridge* and Brian McCoy Faculty of Health, Medicine and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia; *Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Abstract: Objectives: To build individual Indigenous research capacity and strengthen the capability of health research programmes to be culturally and ethically inclusive of Indigenous Australians in public health research. Methods: In order to facilitate optimal participation and in recognition of the differing levels of research experience and knowledge held within this community of practice, an inclusive and culturally appropriate mixed methods approach with influences from action research and Indigenous research principles was undertaken. Results: Over the duration of the project, participants improved their research outcomes as measured by a range of factors including publications, completion of degrees and retention of project members. Conclusions: Provision of an Indigenous led, culturally appropriate system of infrastructure and support centred on capacity building is effective in strengthen the inclusion of Indigenous Australians in research.
Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, research capacity, research leadership
T
he effects of colonisation underpinned by the doctrine of discovery have disadvantaged Indigenous people all over the world, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States (Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). This legacy of colonisation has positioned Indigenous people as disadvantaged (NHMRC, 2006; Rigney, 1999) and at considerable risk of poor health and social outcomes (Humphery, 2001; Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). The social disadvantage associated with colonisation is particularly evident in the realms of health and education (Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision, 2011). Furthermore, Indigenous peoples living with the legacy of colonisation have had an uneasy relationship with researchers demonstrated by a plethora of evidence of non-ethical and exploitative practices around research and health research in particular (Martin, 2003, 2008; Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). There is an increasing recognition of the need for Indigenous participation in health research, and the need for Indigenous autonomy and self-sufficiency in relation to health research (NHMRC, 2004, 2006; AIATSIS, 2011). Within Australia, public health groups and national health research bodies are engaging in strategies, discussion and debate to improve the ethical engagement and inclusion of under-represented, minority and vulnerable populations. Despite these efforts, Indigenous 6
CN
people continue to be under-represented in the health research community. Background From the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the Doctrine of Discovery was used as the legal framework to colonise and subjugate non-European and non-Christian peoples in the new world (Miller, 2005–2006). The Eleventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum called on member states to repudiate such doctrines as the basis for denying Indigenous peoples’ human rights, and continuing to legally infringe on the rights and entitlements of Indigenous peoples (UNPFII, 2012). For over five centuries Indigenous peoples have been explored and exploited, researched and examined, assessed and investigated. Smith, a leading Maori scholar stated ‘from the vantage point of the colonized… the word “research” … is probably one of the dirtiest words in the Indigenous world’s vocabulary’ (Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). Until recently, the Indigenous voice in research has not been heard, the Indigenous perspective not seen, and the Indigenous experience not expressed. In recent years recognition of the lack of Indigenous leadership in health research has seen the establishment of Indigenous health research initiatives internationally. The Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (IAPH) was established as one of the 13 core institutes of the
Volume 46, Issue 1, December 2013
Building Indigenous Australian research capacity Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) (Reading & Nowgesic, 2002); in the US, the Tribal Epidemiology Centers established through a partnership of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) has as one of its key programme objectives the need to increase the participation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in public health training and practice. In Aotearoa (New Zealand), the National Institute of Research Excellence for Ma¯ ori Development and Advancement program was established in 2002 for the purpose of significantly strengthening the number of Ma¯ ori doctorates working across education and sciences (Tumoana Williams, 2007). Despite the many similarities in health, education, socio economic conditions and political struggles with the Indigenous peoples of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the Australian reality is contextualised by a colonial history that is more recent than for others. Australia was colonised
Building Indigenous Australian research capacity Jacinta Kim Elston, Vicki Saunders, Barbara Hayes, Roxanne Bainbridge* and Brian McCoy Faculty of Health, Medicine and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia; *Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Abstract: Objectives: To build individual Indigenous research capacity and strengthen the capability of health research programmes to be culturally and ethically inclusive of Indigenous Australians in public health research. Methods: In order to facilitate optimal participation and in recognition of the differing levels of research experience and knowledge held within this community of practice, an inclusive and culturally appropriate mixed methods approach with influences from action research and Indigenous research principles was undertaken. Results: Over the duration of the project, participants improved their research outcomes as measured by a range of factors including publications, completion of degrees and retention of project members. Conclusions: Provision of an Indigenous led, culturally appropriate system of infrastructure and support centred on capacity building is effective in strengthen the inclusion of Indigenous Australians in research.
Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, research capacity, research leadership
T
he effects of colonisation underpinned by the doctrine of discovery have disadvantaged Indigenous people all over the world, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States (Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). This legacy of colonisation has positioned Indigenous people as disadvantaged (NHMRC, 2006; Rigney, 1999) and at considerable risk of poor health and social outcomes (Humphery, 2001; Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). The social disadvantage associated with colonisation is particularly evident in the realms of health and education (Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision, 2011). Furthermore, Indigenous peoples living with the legacy of colonisation have had an uneasy relationship with researchers demonstrated by a plethora of evidence of non-ethical and exploitative practices around research and health research in particular (Martin, 2003, 2008; Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). There is an increasing recognition of the need for Indigenous participation in health research, and the need for Indigenous autonomy and self-sufficiency in relation to health research (NHMRC, 2004, 2006; AIATSIS, 2011). Within Australia, public health groups and national health research bodies are engaging in strategies, discussion and debate to improve the ethical engagement and inclusion of under-represented, minority and vulnerable populations. Despite these efforts, Indigenous 6
CN
people continue to be under-represented in the health research community. Background From the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the Doctrine of Discovery was used as the legal framework to colonise and subjugate non-European and non-Christian peoples in the new world (Miller, 2005–2006). The Eleventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum called on member states to repudiate such doctrines as the basis for denying Indigenous peoples’ human rights, and continuing to legally infringe on the rights and entitlements of Indigenous peoples (UNPFII, 2012). For over five centuries Indigenous peoples have been explored and exploited, researched and examined, assessed and investigated. Smith, a leading Maori scholar stated ‘from the vantage point of the colonized… the word “research” … is probably one of the dirtiest words in the Indigenous world’s vocabulary’ (Tuhiwai Smith, 1999). Until recently, the Indigenous voice in research has not been heard, the Indigenous perspective not seen, and the Indigenous experience not expressed. In recent years recognition of the lack of Indigenous leadership in health research has seen the establishment of Indigenous health research initiatives internationally. The Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (IAPH) was established as one of the 13 core institutes of the
Volume 46, Issue 1, December 2013
Building Indigenous Australian research capacity Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) (Reading & Nowgesic, 2002); in the US, the Tribal Epidemiology Centers established through a partnership of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) has as one of its key programme objectives the need to increase the participation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in public health training and practice. In Aotearoa (New Zealand), the National Institute of Research Excellence for Ma¯ ori Development and Advancement program was established in 2002 for the purpose of significantly strengthening the number of Ma¯ ori doctorates working across education and sciences (Tumoana Williams, 2007). Despite the many similarities in health, education, socio economic conditions and political struggles with the Indigenous peoples of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the Australian reality is contextualised by a colonial history that is more recent than for others. Australia was colonised
