Topic outline
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This section lists various guidelines, policies, protocols and principles which govern the conduct of Aboriginal research and the work of supervising Aboriginal HDR candidates. These documents support an ethical approach to Indigenous research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. An HDR supervisor needs to have detailed understanding of these guidelines and protocols which are explicit about obligations and compliance, and adhere to them. For example, from the commencement of a project, researchers need to involve Aboriginal Peoples in the community in all aspects of its development and implementation because the research needs to benefit the community, with the methodology having a positive impact on the community. Some Aboriginal nations have their own ethics processes which need to be respected so nations retain their intellectual property rights.
Respect underpinning all these guidelines, as expressed in the AIATSIS Code (2020) that research ‘respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and worldviews, acknowledging the wisdom and diversity of Indigenous knowledge systems’ (p. 11) Throughout the research, keep asking yourself, ‘Am I respecting the Aboriginal Peoples?’ Nevertheless, the concept of respect remains problematic and needs more theorising. For example, a non-Indigenous supervisor might wonder if they are respectfully acknowledging the epistemology that the Aboriginal candidate is bringing into the supervisory relationship. The candidate brings their ontology, relational and ecologically based views of the world. If the supervisor projects whiteness into this context, they may be viewed as disrespectful.
Reflection: Read documents relevant to you and think about the key principles influencing your engagement with Aboriginal HDR candidates and Aboriginal research topics. How could you support Aboriginal researchers throughout the research process in your field/discipline?
Essential reading
The most important guidelines with which to become familiar are:
- UniSA’s Aboriginal Research Strategy (ARS) and the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) – https://aiatsis.gov.au. See the section on research and documents regarding Ethical Research (https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research)
These documents supersede and replace the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies 2012 (GERAIS). They are required reading for all people involved in Aboriginal research projects. For example, the AIATSIS Code of Ethics Principle 1: Indigenous self-determination explains about ‘cultural capability and learning’.
- Universities Australia’s Indigenous Strategy 2017–2020 – https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/policy-submissions/diversity-equity/universities-australias-indigenous-strategy-2017-2020/
- Australian Research Council (ARC) – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers and Research https://www.arc.gov.au/policies-strategies/policy/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-researchers
Further optional reading
- Other general policies related to ethical research with Australian Indigenous people include:
- Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities (NHMRC) (download the pdf)
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies
- Maiam nayri Wingara – This resource explains the nature of Indigenous data and its usage, with publications. https://www.maiamnayriwingara.org/key-principles
- Art research
- The Australia Council for the Arts, Indigenous Cultural
Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Music, Writing, Visual Arts,
Media Arts and Performing Arts
Based on the Australian Council of the Arts Protocols, Janke (2016) produced a booklet of case studies Indigenous Cultural Protocols and the Arts. This booklet links approved Aboriginal cultural protocols to principles to be used in the Arts. The resource provides case studies illustrating appropriate implementation of the protocols so Aboriginal images and culture are not appropriated. - Health research
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) – Policies and strategies related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers and Research https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research-policy/ethics/ethical-guidelines-research-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples
- Lowitja Institute – https://www.lowitja.org.au/page/research/lit-search?gclid=CjwKCAjwrcH3BRApEiwAxjdPTRDnnQDOTpQhuChT7FZjdSfT4Aqwq6JJTAKTqa05R9fS-CEcyCb0ORoClxsQAvD_BwE
Download a pdf of this document: Supporting Indigenous researchers: A practical guide for supervisors (Laycock 2009).
https://www.lowitja.org.au/page/services/resources/health-services-and-workforce/workforce/Supporting-Indigenous-Researchers
This guide provides valuable insights about establishing respectful relationships for all supervisors.
- Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (2016) Cultural respect framework 2016–2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: A national approach to building a culturally respectful health system
- Eckermann, A-K, Dowd, T, Chong, E, Nixon, L, Gray, R, Johnson, S 2010, Binan Goonj: Bridging Cultures in Aboriginal Health, 3rd edn, Elsevier Australia, Chatswood, NSW.
- Science research – The following papers highlight how Aboriginal Peoples in the community were integral to biodiversity research with biophysics scientists and biocultural conservation.
Lynch, AJJ 2017, ‘Reflect, respect, and engage – enhancing biophysical research practices with Indigenous people, their land, and culture’, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 24:3, 319-331, DOI: 10.1080/14486563.2017.1349694.
Mackey, B & Claudie, D 2015, 'Points of contact: Integrating traditional and scientific knowledge for biocultural conservation', Environmental Ethics, 37:3, 341-357. DOI: 10.5840/enviroethics201537332.