Indigenous Research Credentials
What are Indigenous research credentials?
Indigenous Research Credentials support research capacity development and engage traditional knowledge practice whilst guided by Indigenous authority.
Credentials are awarded to Indigenous researchers proficient in ‘both-ways’ research in their communities. Awardees undertake intercultural research under elder authority while engaging with non-Indigenous partners and organisations.
These credentials operate as dual-academy credentials. They recognise research skills ‘in place’, with each award requiring authorisation by Charles Darwin University and senior authorities within the community where the credential is awarded.
Find out more about the research behind the Indigenous Research Initiative at the GroundUp website.
Looking to work with an Indigenous community-based researcher?
Visit the Indigenous Researchers Initiative (IRI) website to find Indigenous researchers and evaluators who have completed their credentialling and provide research services in their home communities.
Interested in studying an Indigenous Research Credential or need more information?
What you can study
Senior Indigenous Community-Based Researcher
Senior Indigenous Community-Based Researcher credential is available to senior Indigenous researchers with significant previous experience in community based cross-cultural research. It recognises strong cultural authority in the conduct of research projects, and an accumulation of prior achievement.
Recipients of this credential demonstrate strong bilingual and cross-cultural research competency, and high level skills in research co-design and public communication.
Eligibility
This credential is available to Indigenous researchers who can demonstrate significant previous experience carrying out research projects in the Northern Territory.
Award criteria
This credential can be awarded on the completion of a research profile or portfolio detailing:
- who you are, and your previous work or research experience
- examples of three or more completed research projects, including - Brief project description - Identification of skills practiced - Any available photos or videos - Reflection on the research outcomes.
Assessment
Assessment will be carried out by a CDU researcher and/or an appropriate senior Indigenous authority.
Apply
Dr Michaela Spencer
Northern Institute
Indigenous Researchers Initiative
08 8946 7251/8946 7468
Indigenous Community-Based Researcher
An Indigenous Community-Based Researcher credential provides opportunities for Indigenous people working in their home communities to learn about research work, and to be recognised for their skills in bilingual and cross-cultural facilitation. Training occurs on the job while working closely with CDU research staff.
Participants will learn about designing research projects, interviewing, video and audio recording, research ethics and presenting research outcomes.
They will be recognised for their skills working on the ground and with various organisations to facilitate culturally appropriate research.
Eligibility
This credential is available to Indigenous community-based researchers working with CDU staff on a research project in the Northern Territory.
It is a beginner level credential designed to recognise basic skills in cross-cultural facilitation and research.
Award criteria
- Attendance at a research induction meeting.
- Creation of a research profile detailing who you are, plus any previous work or research experience.
- Successful facilitation of one or more research interviews.
- Demonstrated understanding of research ethics and use of consent forms.
- Demonstrated capacity to operate bilingually in research situations.
Assessment
Assessment will be carried out on the job by a CDU researcher and verified by an appropriate senior Indigenous authority.
Apply
Dr Michaela Spencer
Northern Institute
Indigenous Researchers Initiative
08 8946 7251/8946 7468
Indigenous Research Collaborator
TheIndigenous Research Collaborator credential acknowledges the participation and contribution made by an Indigenous research mentoree to a collaborative research project.
Earners will have worked in their home community under the guidance of senior advisors and with CDU staff on one or more research projects.
They will have received introductory training in research ethics, and been given the opportunity to learn about research by watching research work being carried out by experienced Indigenous community-based researchers with whom they are familiar and comfortable.
Eligibility
This credential is available to Indigenous research mentorees working in teams with other Indigenous researchers and CDU staff on a research project in the Northern Territory.
It is designed to acknowledge the recipient’s participation in the cross-cultural facilitation of community-based research, and the role they play as a young person learning from experienced researchers and family members.
Award criteria
- Attendance at a research induction meeting and identification of supervising Elder Indigenous authority.
- Creation of a research profile detailing who you are, and your previous work (including research experience).
- Successful participation in one or more collaborative research projects undertaken under Elder Authority with local researchers and CDU staff.
Assessment
Assessment will be carried out on the job by a CDU researcher and verified by an appropriate senior Indigenous authority
Apply
Dr Michaela Spencer
Northern Institute Indigenous Researchers Initiative
08 8946 7251/8946 7468
Strengthening Indigenous research
The Indigenous Researchers Initiative supports Indigenous researchers interested in working with CDU and other organisations, guiding and conducting research and evaluation work in urban and remote Aboriginal communities.
The idea for the Indigenous Researchers Initiative grew out of the Yolŋu Aboriginal Consultants Initiative (YACI), which ran from 2006-2013 and supported collaborative work between Yolŋu and CDU researchers working on university projects concerned with the health, education and well-being of Indigenous people.
Many researchers involved in the Indigenous Research Initiative are small business owners or employed through Indigenous research organisations. The website enables government, nongovernment and other funding organisations to contact these researchers and discuss potential new projects.
Indigenous research micro-credentials are designed to recognise research skills ‘in place’. They support the development of research engaging traditional knowledge practices and operating under the guidance of Indigenous authority.
Micro-credentials are awarded to Indigenous researchers proficient in ‘both-ways’ research in their communities.
Awardees are qualified to undertake intercultural research under elder authority while engaging with non-Indigenous partners and organisations.
They operate as dual-academy credentials, with each award requiring authorisation by Charles Darwin University and senior authorities within the community where the credential is awarded.
Strengthening Indigenous Research flyer.
Contact
Please get in touch with the GroundUp team at Northern Institute to find out more.
08 8946 7468