Implementing genuine participatory action research with Aboriginal Elders: The Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort project

Abstract

<jats:p> This paper describes the processes involved in establishing a genuinely collaborative and participatory role for nine Aboriginal Elders in a five-year participatory action research project focused on early child development in the Perth metropolitan area of Western Australia. The project goals are to better inform and align policy and program design with Aboriginal values, world views and concepts of childhood. The Elder’s authority in the design, conduct and outputs of the research are intended to adhere to a decolonising approach, whereby Aboriginal people have power and voice in ways that are aligned to their values and beliefs. Requirements for research that is collaborative, relational, participatory and reflexive are not straightforward or easily achieved, and the process of working with the nine Elders in their roles as Co-researchers has not been without its challenges. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of working with Aboriginal Elders as Co-researchers and seeks to enhance understanding of the necessity of incorporating an Aboriginal worldview and knowledge framework in this way. </jats:p>

Appraising community driven health research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a scoping review using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool

“…Specifically, the papers that scored well in Harfield’s guide (total score >13), also achieved positive scores in community consultation and engagement and importantly provided context for methods that supported community consultation and engagement. There was a direct correlation between Harfield’s performance ( Couzos et al , 2015 ; Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Weetra et al , 2019 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ) and community consultation and engagement. In papers that scored higher results, initial proceedings were prefaced by outlining what consultative communication looked like and who was involved in creating the research ( Couzos et al , 2015 ; Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Weetra et al , 2019 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ).…”

“…There was a direct correlation between Harfield’s performance ( Couzos et al , 2015 ; Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Weetra et al , 2019 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ) and community consultation and engagement. In papers that scored higher results, initial proceedings were prefaced by outlining what consultative communication looked like and who was involved in creating the research ( Couzos et al , 2015 ; Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Weetra et al , 2019 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ).…”

“…Community consultation was often described as seeking ‘ local ’ [( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ), p. 134] support and input during the foundational stages of the research design and being led by Aboriginal researchers and/or an Aboriginal steering group ( Weetra et al , 2019 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ). Aligning with the NHMRC ( NHMRC, 2018b ) values, consultation often extended to local co-researchers or partner organizations ( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Peake et al , 2020 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ).…”

“…Community consultation was often described as seeking ‘ local ’ [( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ), p. 134] support and input during the foundational stages of the research design and being led by Aboriginal researchers and/or an Aboriginal steering group ( Weetra et al , 2019 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ). Aligning with the NHMRC ( NHMRC, 2018b ) values, consultation often extended to local co-researchers or partner organizations ( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Peake et al , 2020 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ). The papers described co-researchers as having local community cultural knowledge that supported all phases of the research process ( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ), providing an emerging theoretical framework of community consultation and engagement.…”

“…Aligning with the NHMRC ( NHMRC, 2018b ) values, consultation often extended to local co-researchers or partner organizations ( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Turner et al , 2019 ; Peake et al , 2020 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ). The papers described co-researchers as having local community cultural knowledge that supported all phases of the research process ( Dudgeon et al , 2017 ; Scrine et al , 2020 ), providing an emerging theoretical framework of community consultation and engagement.…”