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Establishing a First Nations research network

Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) at Charles Darwin University will be part of a national network for First Nations researchers which is being established with the goal of growing the next generation of research leaders.

The national network is made up of a team of 91 investigators, led by four First Nations leaders, and represents the largest cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers (97 per cent) ever assembled.

The network is an essential part of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research, and the NHMRC is providing $10 million to the national network over the next five years.

The network will be led by some of Australia’s most eminent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, many of whom have pioneered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research over the past two decades.

These include Dr Pat Anderson AO (Lowitja Institute), Professor Sandra Eades (Curtin University), Professor Alex Brown (The University of Adelaide/South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute) and Professor Gail Garvey (Menzies).

The collective vision of the National First Nations Research Network is the establishment of a culturally secure and inclusive network of First Nations researchers across Australia.

It will be guided by self-determination and will nurture culturally safe environments, connect expertise and catalyse research methods, training and development.

“The network collaboration aims to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research groups and their support networks to create an inclusive structure that builds the capacity and capability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers,” Professor Garvey, Senior Principal Research Fellow at Menzies, said.

The national network, through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership and Governance, will focus on career pathways, connecting expertise, and methodological training and development.

Research and career opportunities provided by the national network include start-up scholarships for higher degree research students, fellowships, traineeships for school leavers, community-based researcher positions, and an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led grants.

This story was initially published by the Menzies School of Health Research at Charles Darwin University. It has been republished here, with minor editorial amendments, courtesy of Charles Darwin University media and the Menzies School of Health Research.

View the original article.

Lead image: Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) at Charles Darwin University will be part of a National Network for First Nations Researchers which is being established with the goal of growing the next generation of research leaders. Pictured: Professor Gail Garvey (Menzies). Credit: Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies)/ Charles Darwin University