CRCATSIH

CRC for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (CRCATSIH) was established in January 2010, following in the footsteps of its predecessors the CRC for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (1996–2003) and the CRC for Aboriginal Health (2003–09). The Australian Government is funding Its activities to 30 June 2014 through the DIISR’s CRC Program, with funds and in-kind support provided by the CRC’s essential participants (see below).

Hosted by the Lowitja Institute, the CRCATSIH is a virtual organisation that brings together the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, government health agencies and research institutions to ensure that research conducted into Aboriginal health is controlled by and benefits Aboriginal people. 

The CRCATSIH aims to:

  • promote high-quality research through increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control of the health research agenda and through partnerships with key stakeholders in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, government agencies and research institutions;
  • undertake strategic research to investigate health conditions, health service delivery systems and the social determinants of health;
  • ensure the effective transfer of research findings into policy and practice to improve primary healthcare, to build sustainable prevention and to reduce the disease burden on Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
  • build capacity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to allow greater control of health research through increased formal education and training opportunities;
  • advocate in line with our communications strategy for research-informed changes to the delivery of health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Follow these links for more information about the CRCATSIH approach to research, our research program and program leaders, and our education and training program.

Essential Participants

The CRCATSIH has 12 essential participants (formerly known as core partners):

  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
  • Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC)
  • Charles Darwin University (CDU)
  • Danila Dilba Health Service
  • Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA)
  • Department of Health Northern Territory
  • Flinders University
  • La Trobe University
  • Menzies School of Health Research (MSHR)
  • Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR)
  • The University of Melbourne
  • University of Queensland (UQ)

More information and links can be found on the CRCATSIH participants page.

CRCATSIH Advisory Board

The CRCATSIH’s various activities are overseen by an Advisory Board that reports directly to the Company Board. The CRCATSIH Advisory Board comprises:

  • Paula Arnol - Danila Dilba
  • Prof. Sharon Bell - Charles Darwin University
  • Stephanie Bell - Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
  • Heather D’Antoine - Menzies School of Health Research
  • Philip Davies - University of Queensland
  • Greg Davison - Independent
  • Vacant - Queensland Institute of Medical Research
  • Prof. Michael Kidd - Flinders University
  • Alison Killen - Department of Health and Ageing
  • Prof. Steven Larkin - Charles Darwin University
  • Prof. Jane Pirkis - University of Melbourne
  • Prof. Annette Street - La Trobe University
  • Russell Taylor - Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  • Rachael Wargent - Independent
  • Vacant - Department of Health, Northern Territory
Created 30 Mar 2010, updated 30 Jan 2012