Decolonising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research

Abstract

There is an important but unwieldy research policy infrastructure designed to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research and researchers. This framework links the key performance indicators and policies of funders and institutions to researchers and communities. In this article, we explain the relevant policies and targets, with a view to showing how sector regulation interconnects in practice and identifying ways to strengthen institutional commitments to meaningful engagement with, and implementation of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research policy. We suggest next steps that are needed to help researchers comply with funder and institution-mandated obligations and to empower Indigenous Peoples to make informed decisions about the benefits of research collaboration with universities.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Research Policy, Research Integrity, Authorship, Ethics, Social engagement and impact, research collaboration, neo-colonialism