Resources for Researchers › Researchers Guide ›
Resources for Researchers Homepage

Policies and structures

Submitted by Admin on 8 July 2011 - 5:04pm

Overview of Contents

  • Policies and structures at the systems level
    The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
    NHMRC framework for improving health through research
    NHMRC ethics guidelines and ethics committees
    Indigenous Health Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and the NHMRC
    NHMRC funding for Indigenous health research
    Australian Research Council (ARC)
    The Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
    Indigenous health peak bodies
    Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH)

PLEASE NOTE: This chapter is only available online and is not included in the printed publication

Introduction

Over the last decade policies and structures have been set up as part of the Indigenous research reform agenda. They aim to shift power to the Indigenous community sector, build Indigenous research capacity and foster good research in Indigenous health. This chapter lists some of the policy and structural reforms that have been put into place through:

  • systems
  • institutions
  • collaborative structures for research.

The more experienced you are as a researcher, the more likely it is that you will need to know about the policy and funding environment as you take on leadership and supervision roles, negotiate research partnerships and apply for research funds. Thinking about your project and role as part of a bigger health research picture is likely to result in more strategic research, and findings that are useful and useable.

At the systems level

Main policies and structures that have been developed to support good Indigenous health research at a systems level include:

  • National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council
  • Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  • Indigenous health peak bodies 
  • Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

The NHMRC is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research; for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments; and for providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research. The NHMRC’s commitment to improving the health of Indigenous peoples includes supporting health and medical research, fostering health and medical research ethics, and fostering the development of consistent health standards (NHMRC 2009).

1.         NHMRC framework for improving health through research

As part of system reforms to improve health research, the NHMRC developed The NHMRC Road Map: A Strategic Framework for Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health through Research and Final Report of Community Consultations on the NHMRC Road Map (2002).

The Road Map was developed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Agenda Working Group (RAWG) as a joint undertaking between the NHMRC and Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) in the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

2.         NHMRC ethics guidelines and ethics committees

For information about guidelines for ethical health research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples see Chapter 2, Principles in Indigenous health research.

3.         Indigenous Health Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and the NHMRC

HRECs are established by organisations throughout Australia, and must be registered with the NHMRC. Indigenous HRECs have been at the forefront of asserting Indigenous input into Indigenous health research. There are more than 200 HRECs, and more than 30 have Indigenous members. For more information on HRECs, including listings, go to the Indigenous Health Ethics Network.

4.         NHMRC funding for Indigenous health research

The NHMRC aims for at least 5% of its research budget to be allocated to Indigenous health and funds Indigenous health research across all its funding schemes.

All grant applications that involve Indigenous health research are assessed by an Indigenous Health Research Panel (IHRP) using the criteria of community engagement, benefit, sustainability and transferability, building capability, priority and significance. Researchers can apply for extra funds to meet these criteria through community consultation, involvement and feedback. Download Criteria for Health and Medical Research of Indigenous Australians.  

NHMRC has funding schemes to support research in priority areas and to build capacity in Indigenous health:

For information see http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/your_health/indigenous/index.htm#b

To download other NHMRC documents: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications

Australian Research Council (ARC)

The ARC advises the Australian Government on research matters and funds research and researchers under the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). Research is funded in all disciplines except clinical medicine and dentistry. For information about what is funded and how to apply.  See ARC applications.

The ARC has funding schemes to develop the leadership and skills of Indigenous researchers:

  • Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme
  • Indigenous Researcher Fellowships

The Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) 

The AIATSIS is a national funding body for research in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. The Research Grants Program supports research into areas that include social, cultural and environmental aspects of health and biological sciences, Indigenous knowledge systems, public policy and other areas that relate to improving Indigenous health and well being. Within each research category, AIATSIS places special emphasis on applications dealing with relations with Government, knowledge about and caring for Country and Indigenous knowledge systems.

Go to the AIATSIS website for general information about AIATSIS research grants and how to apply.

Researchers need to comply with the AIATSIS Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.

The AIATSIS Library collections support research in the major areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. Collections include sound, moving images pictorial, artefacts, manuscripts languages, rare books ephemera and an on-line collection.

Items that come from research can be deposited at AIATSIS for safe-keeping and appropriate access. Owners of the intellectual property can place restrictions on access while preserving materials for future generations. Secret/sacred and personal material can be protected from inappropriate dissemination.

Indigenous health peak bodies

Indigenous health peak bodies speak on behalf of community based Indigenous health services. Part of their role is to support research. They provide advice and collaborate with governments and research institutions. Some host Indigenous health research ethics committees. Indigenous health peak bodies are important points of contact.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national peak Aboriginal health body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services throughout Australia. In 2010, NACCHO has 141 members across Australia. http://www.naccho.org.au/

State affiliates are:

Other Indigenous health peak bodies include:

Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH)

The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) is a major funder of Indigenous health services in Australia. It makes decisions that have great impact across health services, and it relies on research evidence to make these decisions.

OATSIH has responsibility for the administration of funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health and substance use services. It gives direct grants to around 245 organisations. 80% of these services are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled or managed. It also focuses on the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in mainstream health programs. OATSIH aims to give better access to comprehensive primary health care services.

OATSIH puts whole-of-government arrangements in place for policy development and service delivery. Decision-making processes are based on working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health sector.

At the Institution level

Within the higher education and research institutions that train researchers and conduct research, Indigenous health research is supported through developments such as:

  • Indigenous health research centres
  • Indigenous studies centres within universities
  • University research ethics committees

Indigenous health research centres

Some universities have units with a focus on Indigenous health, capacity building and research. Examples are:

Some health institutions have a program or branch that focuses on Indigenous health research, such as:

Indigenous studies centres

Indigenous research and support units within universities aim to build cultural competency, so that institutions support Indigenous students and staff. See a list of Indigenous centres in Australian universities.

University websites usually have links to Indigenous related activities and support services within the institution. For example, The University of Melbourne

In addition to specialised centres, university departments and faculties offer in-kind support and infrastructure to researchers and administer research grants. Universities and other education institutions offer courses that relate to Indigenous health and research, from Vocational Education and Training (VET) through to undergraduate and post-graduate courses.

University research ethics committees

Health research ethics committees are set up to assess research undertaken by students and staff. Some university ethics committees have Indigenous membership (eg. at University of South Australia, Charles Darwin University, Murdoch University Griffith University, James Cook University)

Collaborative structures for Indigenous health research

Collaborative structures for health research operate at local, state and national levels. They have common aims – to build on each others’ strengths and use collective resources to conduct research; to influence policies and practices in a way that can lead to better health for Indigenous people

‘… it’s essential for any research in Indigenous health to be thinking, to be directed at all times, to thoughts around “How can this be translated into better policy?” We can‘t sit around and take our time. I think it’s more urgent than ever that researchers, communities, and policy makers collaborate together. It’s essential'. (Melissa Haswell-Elkins, The University of NSW).

Collaborative structures for Indigenous health research grew largely out of the need for community controlled Indigenous health services to set health research agendas and to lead research, while drawing on the expertise available in the research community. They include:

  • CRCAH
  • Lowitja Institute
  • Centres for Clinical Research Excellence (CCREs)
  • other research partnerships and collaborations

Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (2003 - 2009)

Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) are organisations formed through collaborative partnerships between publicly funded researchers and end users. The CRC for Aboriginal Health (CRCAH) was set up in 2003 to build on the work of the previous CRC for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH). It was a virtual organisation governed by an Aboriginal-majority board and bringing together partners from the Aboriginal health sector, government health agencies and research institutions to help facilitate and broker research into Aboriginal health.

The CRC’s research program was underpinned by an agenda of research reform that involved:

  • focus on research that can be transferred into practice, to make a difference to the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Indigenous control of research priorities and processes
  • development of research capacity within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
  • improved processes for consultation and negotiation of research, and quality control (Harrison 2009:3)

The Lowitja Institute

In 2010 the Lowitja Institute, Australian’s National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research, was established. The Institute incorporates the CRC for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (CRCATSIH) and builds on the work of the CRCAH and CRCATH. See About Us for more information.

The CRCATSIH has three research programs: Healthy Start, Healthy Life; Healthy Communities and Settings; Enabling Policy and Systems.

Centres for Clinical Research Excellence

Centres for Clinical Research Excellence (CCREs) are partnerships between clinical research collaborators, funded by the Federal Government through the NHMRC.

Indigenous health CCREs support research collaborations between community based health organisations and universities. They focus on building capacity and translating research outcomes into clinical practice.

The CCRE in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (2003 – 2008) was led by the Aboriginal Health Council of SA in partnership with Flinders University. Three regional health services in country SA and Spencer Gulf Rural Health School were involved in the collaboration

Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Circulatory and Associated Conditions in Urban Indigenous Peoples (2005 - 2009)

Key partners is this collaboration between the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and Queensland University of Technology were Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Services in the Brisbane area, four universities in Victoria, Queensland, and NSW and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

CCRE in Aboriginal Health: Sexually transmitted and Bloodborne Viral Infections (2009 - 2013)

The centre is a collaboration between the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR) at the University of NSW and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Clinical sites include Aboriginal health services in SA, Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

Other research partnerships and collaborations

There are many research collaborations between academic institutions and health service partners. Partnerships between community partners and institutions are increasing as more Indigenous organisations see the benefits of taking control of health research. Partnerships vary in structure and purpose. A few examples are:

Tangentyere Research Hub, a partnership between Tangentyere Council in Alice Springs and the Centre for Remote Health (Charles Darwin University and Flinders University), the National Drug Research Institute (Curtin University) and the Centre for Social Research (Edith Cowan University). Tangentyere also has a Memorandum of Understanding with Menzies School of Health Research.

Kulunga Research Network, a partnership between Telethon Institute for Child Health Research at the University of Western Australia and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA.

Yarrabah, Family Well Being Program partnership between Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service and the Empowerment Research Program (James Cook University and University of Queensland).

Desert Knowledge CRC, funded from 2003 to 2010 as a research and brokerage institution that linked researchers with 28 partners (government, non-government, social and commercial sectors) 

Work continues under Ninti One Limited, management company for the new CRC  for Remote Economic Participation (CRC-REP) and the Australian Feral Camel Management Project.

The Sax Institute, which builds partnerships between researchers, health policy and service delivery agencies, such as the ‘Coalition for Research to improve Aboriginal Health Research (CRIAH)’, which is a partnership between the Sax Institute and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW.

Philanthropic and non-Government organisations that have an interest in supporting and collaborating in Indigenous health research include Ian Potter Foundation, Rio Tinto, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Red Cross, Cancer Council Australia, Australian Rotary Health.

Collaborative research policy making

There are many examples of collaboration in the development of Indigenous health research policy and guidelines. Some are explained in other chapters.

At the national level, the NHMRC, the Australian Research Council and Universities Australia have collaborated to develop a joint code of conduct for research, called: Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007). While the code is not specific to Indigenous health research, it guides institutions and researchers in responsible research practices and integrity in research. It includes how to manage research data and materials, how to publish and disseminate research findings, how to do peer review and how to manage conflicts of interest. It also explains the responsibilities and rights of researchers if they see research misconduct. 

At the state level, one example is the Strategic Directions Report for the Social Determinants of Aboriginal Health Project, conducted by Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s (VACCHO) Public Health Research Unit. The project brought people from health services and universities together to identify priorities in social determinants research for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Victoria.

This chapter has listed some policy and structural changes that support the health improvement of Indigenous peoples through research. It has highlighted the different levels at which reforms have been made. In reality, the boundaries between these levels are often blurred; priorities and collaborations change as research leaders and policy makers look for the best ways to reach health research goals.

Key messages for researchers

  1. Your project is part of a broader Indigenous health research agenda.
  2. Be aware of local research policies and strategic directions that influence your project.
  3. Make use of the policies and structures that support Indigenous control of research, and help research findings to be used for change.
  4. Make use of the collaborations between organisations that can add value to good research and its benefit to the wider Indigenous community.
Created 08 Jul 2011, updated 13 Jul 2011