Research

Indigenous Allied Health Australia | Policy and Research | Research

Research Strategy Overview:

IAHA research is driven by a clear strategy guided by IAHA’s strategic purpose, shared values and principles.

Research Principles:

The interim key principles of research that IAHA will engage with are:

  • Culture is central: To drive excellence through rigorous research that is culture focused.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership: Led and driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Impact: To conduct outstanding, multi-disciplinary research in allied health education, health and wellbeing outcomes and health workforce that makes a difference in addressing the aspirations and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities.
  • Knowledge translation and sharing: To undertake research that translates theory and research into effective policy, planning and practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Utilising strategies that inform community and stakeholders of research outcomes.

Research Capacity:

IAHA will develop and sustain an adequate research capacity. IAHA will facilitate this by listening to the community and our membership to define problems and opportunities, set priorities, conduct rigorous research and identify solutions to share with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health workforce and community.

Cultural Knowledge:

IAHA has an allied health membership and a secretariat with significant health, culture, and community knowledge regarding best practices for improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Research values and recognises this expertise.

Evaluations:

There is strong interest from IAHA to ensure that the funding provided achieves intended outcomes. Systematic internal and external evaluations of the efficiency, effectiveness and appropriateness of IAHA programs are critical to determining whether results are being achieved.

Partnerships:

IAHA values the multidisciplinary nature of allied health, including working with partners for successful research collaborations. Therefore, IAHA will build strong partnerships to influence research and maximise outcomes and knowledge translation.

IAHA is committed to ensuring that any research that IAHA engages with is spiritually, socially, culturally, emotionally, and physically safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There is a serious intent by IAHA to get this right.

IAHA is frequently approached by external partners and stakeholders to engage in health research and evaluate each approach in accordance with IAHA’s research principles and strategy.

IAHA advocates and supports many wide-ranging topics. However, are focused on engaging in research in the following categories:

Research Categories:

  • Culturally responsive and safe health systems
  • Social and Cultural Determinants
  • Interprofessional education and practice
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Development
  • Health and Mental Health Systems
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Students – retention, engagement, and supports
  • International Indigenous Health
  • Allied Health Workforce and Indigenous Health Policy
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Justice
  • Social and Emotional Wellbeing
  • Knowledge Translation

Acknowledgement and Citation:

IAHA is firmly vested in decolonising health research. Accordingly, many of the IAHA publications accessible on the IAHA website incorporate many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, perspectives and knowledge.

Usually, when publications are cited, it gives credit to the original source, establishes credibility that research has been carried out and allows the reader to find the original source of information. IAHA will assist with the citation of IAHA material by providing citation advice to all new publications from 2020.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and narratives are at the heart of culture, identity and strength.   To share someone’s story without due acknowledgement is breaking cultural protocol. Therefore, with deep respect to the people who have contributed to any IAHA has written, video and auditory material, IAHA mandates that any material from IAHA, including websites, social media, conferences, is acknowledged, referenced and credited appropriately.