Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce since 2000 (completed)

A review and analysis of progress in building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce since 2000

About

A research project in partnership with the Lowitja Institute, the project aims to identify changes in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research workforce, since 2000. Investigations will chart current educational and career-pathway models and initiatives; outline how research training can be more responsive, enriching and affirming of and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers and communities; and explore new ways to increase numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.

A strength of the proposed project is to significantly address research gaps by conducting a comprehensive review foregrounding ‘whole of system’ analysis of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce and learn first-hand from current and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers via in-depth interviews and case studies.

Key people

  • Professor Shaun Ewen, Project Lead, has a strong background in academic leadership, health education and practice, and workforce development.
  • Professor Cindy Shannon - community controlled health sector engagement, drawing on decades of experience in workforce training in this sector.
  • Professor Margaret Kelaher - expertise on health policy to the analytic activities of the project.
  • An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research officer will undertake the day-to-day project management.

Project findings and outputs

  • Creation of a national knowledge base on the characteristics and experiences of research training infrastructure that is connected to the further growth and success of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce.
  • Combined and derived findings from a large volume of fragmented data and information on research capability strengthening in Australia and internationally.
  • Developed the largest primary-data research study to date that is specifically on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher views and experiences.

For more information, visit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researcher workforce since 2000.