Research and Innovation Services Ethics and Research Integrity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Ethics

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Ethics

James Cook University recognises the cultural connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to land, sea, and community, and values their ongoing contributions and perspectives. The University is dedicated to promoting research practices that are ethical, respectful, and inclusive, acknowledging the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and priorities.

All research conducted with, about, or affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities, or knowledge systems must be conducted in a culturally safe, ethical, and responsible manner, and in accordance with established ethical processes and approval procedures guided by relevant national frameworks and standards.

All human research ethics applications are submitted through GECO. Projects involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, data, or cultural knowledge must include additional responses addressing the six core values of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics—Spirit and Integrity, Cultural Continuity, Equity, Reciprocity, Respect, and Responsibility. The JCU Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) reviews these applications to ensure research is conducted rigorously, respectfully, and in alignment with Indigenous rights and ethical standards.

All applications involving research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be submitted through the GECO system. Applicants are required to complete additional Indigenous-specific criteria as part of the submission process. These applications adhere to the standard workflow and approval requirements, including review by the Ethics Advisor, Supervisor, and College Dean.

Currently, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research applications are reviewed at full Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) meetings. Researchers should be mindful of the HREC’s submission deadlines to ensure timely consideration of their applications. It is recommended that applicants plan accordingly to accommodate these timelines within their research schedules.

If you intend to conduct research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or communities, your project design must respectfully incorporate the values and cultural protocols of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Differences between the cultural perspectives of researchers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may give rise to miscommunication, misunderstanding, or breaches of protocol, which can undermine trust, compromise data integrity, and negatively impact research outcomes.

To foster respectful and effective engagement, it is strongly recommended that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples be included within the research team. This may take the form of a Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Associate Investigator, Co-Supervisor (for honours or postgraduate students), Cultural Broker, Cultural Mentor, or through consultation with an appropriate Reference Group.

Early in the planning stage, researchers should determine the guidance and support required for their project and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all team members. These should be formally documented and agreed upon by all parties. Key responsibilities include consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or advisors regarding relevant worldviews, cultural values, beliefs, and protocols during the development of the research proposal and ethics application.

Recognition of contributions through appropriate remuneration, workload allocation, and acknowledgment in reports, presentations, and publications is essential. Regular meetings should be scheduled, with clear documentation of discussions and verification of cultural matters by the Cultural Broker, Mentor, or Reference Group.

Note: Please note that individuals serving in leadership capacities, such as Cultural Brokers or Mentors, should be named as Co-Investigators. Those involved in participant recruitment, negotiation of agreements, data collection, analysis, or interpretation should be formally engaged and compensated as research assistants or project officers, rather than as cultural advisors.