The project will undertake four Baarra (steps) to achieve Gulbnha (knowledge). The first three Baarra will collect knowledge, experiences and wisdom from three key groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, research academics and Human Research Ethics Committees, to inform the final Baarra of developing a set of practical recommendations for the future.
Baarra 1 – Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) are community-driven, primary healthcare providers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ACCHOs, through their provision of holistic, comprehensive and culturally informed care, highlight the social determinants of health and health inequity experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. They are also a primary employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and regularly sought to participate in the implementation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. So, baarra 1 aims to understand the experiences of these organisations in their involvement in health research. Baarra 1 involves an online cross-sectional survey of CEOs and/or senior management of ACCHOs; and qualitative yarning circles with relevant community stakeholders, including ACCHO staff, patients and community members.
Baarra 2 – Researchers
Indigenous people are one of the most over-research populations in the world. To explore the ethical conduct of research, we need to understand how research is being done today. Baarra 2 aims to explore, among academics conducting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, their experiences of the barriers and enablers to conducting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. Baarra 2 will involve an online cross-sectional survey and semi-structured qualitative interviews with researchers (including Indigenous researchers and non-Indigenous researchers) who have been involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.
Baarra 3 – Human Research Ethics Committees
When trying to understand the ethical conduct of research, a key perspective to consider is that of Human Research Ethics Committees, who are critical in the process of ensuring the quality and cultural safety of research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In baarra 3, we want to understand, Human Research Ethics Committees’ processes for overseeing and approving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. Baarra 3 will involve an online cross-sectional survey and semi-structured qualitative interviews with Human Research Ethics Committee members who have been involved in reviewing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.