Case story

Getting input from others with an interest in the research

In this case story, people were brought together to share expertise and ideas before helping to shape a research plan. This approach gave people a professional development opportunity while building ownership and support for the research.

The Cape York Institute (CYI), based in Cairns, has been developing strategies to reduce smoking rates in four Cape York communities. The strategies aim to change individual behaviour and build a consensus that smoking is damaging and non-acceptable, a social norm already achieved in many parts of Australia. The CRCAH and the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control… supported CYI to develop ideas into a research proposal.

In August 2008, a one-day roundtable was organised to bring together staff from CYI with key experts on Indigenous tobacco control and Indigenous health. Researchers and experts presented information to CYI staff, about tobacco control programs, the impact of smoking, and evidence about what interventions have and haven’t worked in Australia. In the second half of the day staff talked about what is currently happening in Cape York communities around smoking and what strategies they would like to implement. Having tobacco control expertise around the table gave staff direct feedback on how to best implement their strategies and guided their thinking on interventions likely to have the most impact.

Since the roundtable a research proposal has been developed to establish baseline data and commence community education campaigns; focus on teenagers and family members as change agents; enforce the idea that smoking in homes around children is unacceptable .

From CRCAH 2009, CRC for Aboriginal Health Annual Report 2008–2009, CRCAH, Darwin, p. 23.

Also see Centre for Excellent in Indigenous Tobacco Control.