Indigenous Program

The Indigenous program is committed to a sustainable, national program. It partners with stakeholders to support and build the capacity of female Indigenous Researchers. Processes and evidence-based support strategies will include mentoring, leadership training and networking. Seed research and translation funding will support research career development and collaboration.

A line icon of three figures sitting at a table.

Chaired by Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle

The sub-committee works with AHRA’s Indigenous Research Network (IRNet) to create Indigenous Ambassador roles, an advisory committee, and to build a cohort of Indigenous champions.

Vision

Build the workforce of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in health research and translation leadership by supporting them throughout their research careers to make a meaningful improvement to the health of our communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in health research and translation by building workforce capacity, capabilities and confidence in early and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in research.

Create significant improvements in the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in health research and translation leadership by supporting and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women throughout their research careers.

Advance the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in leadership by building capacity, capabilities, confidence and providing support at different stages of their research careers.

Grow, develop and sustain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in health research and knowledge translation leadership whilst maintaining mutual accountability and support for one another, and communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Principles

Members will commit to attending meetings, fulfilling agreed responsibilities, working together, sharing learnings, collaborating and overseeing activities of the WHRTN Indigenous sub-committee that addresses Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander capacity building.

We will leverage:

  • AHRA Centres integrating across research, healthcare and education

  • AHRA national systems level initiatives specifically in Community and Consumer Involvement, Workforce Development, Indigenous Capacity Building and Research

  • WHRTN platforms in Community and Consumer Involvement, Workforce Development, Indigenous Capacity Building and Research

  • Our broad engagement across key stakeholders

  • Our national multidisciplinary expertise in women’s health

Diagram of four WHRTN programs with Indigenous Program highlighted in yellow.

Activities to date

EMCR Awards

  • 3 awards to be funded in the 2022-2023 financial year for Indigenous women researchers focusing on Indigenous women’s research.

Mentoring

  • Provided mentoring to Emerging Leader Fellowships.

  • Capacity building of project managers in the 2022-2023 Indigenous subcommittee.

Education & Training

  • Indigenous subcommittee attended the capacity building day and 2022 IRNet Showcase and attended the Lowitja International Conference in 2023.

Sub-committee Membership

  • Prof Aunty Kerrie Doyle (Chair)

  • Ms Banok Rind (Indigenous Representative)

  • Ms Heather D’Antione (Menzies School of Health Research)

  • Dr Karla Canuto (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute)

  • Ms Keziah Bennet-Brook (The George Institute for Global Health)

  • Prof Lisa Jackson-Pulver (Sydney Health Partners)

  • Ms Mary Waria (Consumer Advisor/Advocate)

  • Associate Prof Michelle Dickson (Sydney Health Partners)

  • Prof Rhonda Marriott (Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University)

  • Ms Shona Kennedy (Consumer Advisor/Advocate)