Aboriginal-led Health Research
Western Alliance recognises the importance of demonstrating cultural humility and agility as an organisation, whereby it is responsive to the needs of the Communities it serves and privileges Aboriginal leadership, recognising Community strength and amplifying their voice, ensuring that its processes and language reflect a strengths-based approach.
Implementing marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri: The Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord
The Accord has been launched to give voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community within research and help research organisations ensure alignment of research impacting Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the principles of self-determination.
A key element of marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri is to implement principles of self-determination by increasing rates of Aboriginal leadership and participation in health, medical and wellbeing research. Western Alliance has a well-structured and evaluated research capacity and capability training program known as STaRR, and the Alliance is currently adapting this program to meet the needs of Aboriginal participants, and in collaboration with a range of stakeholders including VACCHO, to establish an Aboriginal STaRR program. For further information, please contact Olivia King or Peter Kelly (starrsupport@deakin.edu.au).
Find out more about marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri here.
Membership of the Lowitja Institute
The Lowitja Institute is Australia’s only Aboriginal Community-controlled health research institute and Western Alliance was accepted as a non-Aboriginal member organisation in 2023.
The Lowitja institute hosts a comprehensive offering of learning tools, learning events and courses for Aboriginal researchers to build their research capability, and non-aboriginal researchers wanting to learn more about co-design and working with Aboriginal Community.
Through our Lowitja Institute membership, Western Alliance is able to offer discounts and subsidies for some of these courses. Please get in touch with at starrsupport@deakin.edu.au if you would like to access any of the offerings below.