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Researchers and community colleagues meet at a Waltja
Research Nintiringtjaku workshop held at Ross River Homestead,
Northern Territory.
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The social sciences use scientific methods to study human
aspects of the world. The DKCRC Social Science Program makes sure
that our research has people at its focus, and that it is relevant
to communities and governments. Our work in this area already shows
that when local and scientific knowledge works together across
disciplines we achieve more than we do by working separately.
Results so far include a package of research tools focused on
collaborative research methods1, Aboriginal research
partnerships2, resource materials on various types of
intellectual property and its use in protecting or benefiting
Aboriginal knowledge3, and a revised Aboriginal
Knowledge and Intellectual Property Protocol3.
Outcomes
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Research that is relevant to and driven by people and their
organisations. This creates a feedback loop in which people use the
results of the research to advocate for themselves.
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Researchers who use best practice policies and protocols for
ethical, crosscultural research with Aboriginal organisations and
their local knowledge.
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Research that aims to develop livelihood opportunities and makes
sure that people are appropriately rewarded for their skills.
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Understanding the origin of, and responsibility for management
of, the intellectual property created as a result of DKCRC
projects.
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Promoting a culture that enables researchers to share emerging
knowledge and insights.
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DKCRC Social Science Coordinator Alicia Boyle with Waltja
Research Nintiringtjaku project participants Natalie Petrick and
her grandmother Agnes Petrick, both of Atitjere
community.
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Strategy and Action
In the DKCRC there is a diverse range of research projects and
disciplines, including the natural sciences. The socially inclusive
and collaborative approach to research advocated by this program
applies, however, to all the sciences. We know that the process of
doing the research is just as important as the outcomes. All of our
projects are working in the wider community and many are in remote
areas with Aboriginal people. The knowledge applied through social
science research results in projects that are locally relevant, and
that attain benchmark ethical standards. DKCRC recognises that
research is a two-way process, where local knowledge is valuable to
researchers, just as the research should hold value for the
community. DKCRC researchers support the need to incorporate
people’s aspirations and skills into the project. The process
of research can bring opportunities, such as recognition of skills
and knowledge, employment, training and skills development. When
this happens, people understand the value of the project, they have
local ownership (and with this responsibility), and they can become
greater advocates for their community. This recognises that the
social capital of the desert is an important asset to build upon
and likewise that strong evidence-based research requires working
closely with local knowledge.
We hold workshops and training sessions for researchers, students
and Aboriginal people on topics such as social science research
methods for students and researchers, and research
nintiringtjaku
(‘learning for research’, conducted with the Aboriginal
organisation Waltja) with Aboriginal communities about the meaning
and value of research and ethical research practice. Workshops are
also hosted to share emerging research knowledge across the DKCRC
about topical issues. Other workshops and focus groups are held to
refine research protocols and policies, thereby acting as important
outreach tools.
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Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people work together in a
series of workshops to develop the new DKCRC Aboriginal Knowledge
and Intellectual Property Protocol.
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The following series of resources for DKCRC researchers and
Aboriginal community groups were developed through workshops and
focus groups:
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Aboriginal Knowledge and Intellectual Property Protocol
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Aboriginal Research Engagement Protocol
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Good Manners Guide to working with Aboriginal People in
Research
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Free Prior Informed Consent form
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Schedule of rates of pay for Aboriginal workers in research
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Submission to the UN Permanent Forum on the Report of the
Secretariat on Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Other resources
were developed to assist the work of the workshops and focus
groups, including nine briefing papers on various aspects of
intellectual property law3.
Participants
Alicia Boyle coordinates the Education and Social Science
Programs of the DKCRC. She manages a national team of researchers
and students who make people the focus of research. The
project’s participants comprise a wide range of Aboriginal
communities associated with the DKCRC and a wide range of our
partners, including:
Notes
1. Available from http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com/socialscience/socialscience.html
2. Davies, J. 2007. Walking together, working together: Aboriginal
research partnerships. DKCRC Research Report 26, Desert Knowledge
CRC, Alice Springs.
3. Available from http://desertknowledgecrc.com/socialscience/managingaboriginalknowledge.html