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Review of National Research Priorities
Submission on behalf of the Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous,
University of Melbourne
1. Introduction
We commend the Government’s commitment to prioritising Indigenous science. We note that this commitment has been evidenced in a number of ways, including in the Statement of Expectations delivered to the nation’s peak research organisation – the CSIRO – which has been asked to prioritise ‘Advancing First
Nations Science’ and take a leadership role in First Nations engagement in science. The CSIRO’s commitment to building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the delivery of remote applications of other CSIRO programs, such as the Indigenous Science and Engagement Program, has the potential to deliver transformational change to Indigenous peoples and communities. 1
A genuine commitment to advancing First Nation’s science is in line with international developments. In recent years there has been a global shift towards recognising the value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and their potential to address the major challenges facing humanity and deliver economic and social prosperity to Indigenous communities and broader society. In 2022 The Biden-Harris Administration formally recognised Indigenous Knowledge as “one of the many important bodies of knowledge that contributes to the scientific, technical, social, and economic advancements of the United States and our collective understanding of the natural world” 2. The Canadian government’s environmental agency - Environment and
Climate Change Canada– has created the department’s first Indigenous Science Division which has a goal of advancing reconciliation in science and research activities 3. Aotearoa New Zealand has taken action to protect and revitalise Mātauranga Māori through a range of initiatives, such as the Environmental Protection
Authority’s mātauranga framework strengthening the agency’s ability to abased decisions on the best available mātauranga and scientific evidence 4.
We strongly believe that Australia can take a leadership role in the recognition, valuing and advancement of
Indigenous Knowledge systems. In our soon to be released Murmuk Djerring - Indigenous Strategy 2023-27,
The University of Melbourne outlines its aspirations to be a national and global leader in “celebrating, valuing and protecting indigenous knowledge traditions and unlocking their potential to address the big challenges confronting humanity”. Our newly created Indigenous Knowledge Institute marks a critical turning point in how the University engages with Indigenous knowledge systems, and values and recognises the expertise of Indigenous knowledge holders.
We look forward to working alongside Government in efforts to amplify the recognition and valuing of
Indigenous knowledge systems and to harness this knowledge to solve local and global challenges. In this submission we outline our ideas on the opportunities the review of the National Science Priorities represents to better reflect and respond to the priorities and aspirations of Indigenous Australians. The University of
Melbourne has submitted an institutional response and we have also provided high level input into this document.
1 https://www.csiro.au/en/about/corporate-governance/minister-and-board/statement-of-expectations
2 https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/12/01/white-house-releases-first-of-a-kind-indigenous-knowledge-guidance-for- federal-agencies/
3 https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en
4 https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Te-Hautu/Matauranga-Maori-Report_Framework-Report.pdf
2. Getting the foundations right
At a foundational level, discussion of National Science priorities must acknowledge the depth, complexity and longevity of Indigenous knowledge and the consequent need for bold thinking and action in order to leverage research, science and innovation to generate solutions. Challenges such as climate change and intergenerational inequality will not be overcome by using western science alone and there must be a structural elevation of Indigenous knowledge systems alongside western sciences.
When considering the role of Indigenous knowledge, the focus must also shift away from one that is extractive and deficit-focused to one that is generative and ethical. Throughout this review process, we encourage the Government to engage with Indigenous Australians in the science sector, government, businesses and communities. Indigenous knowledge holders must also play an ongoing role in informing the direction of science in Australia.
While beyond the scope of this review, we would also like to highlight that if the Government is serious about unlocking the Indigenous knowledge that will deliver innovation and economic benefits, they must commit appropriate funding and incentives. Priorities must be accompanied by a commitment to building
Indigenous research capabilities in key areas (e.g. STEM), highlighting the intersections between this review and other Government programmes including the consultation on Diversity in STEM and The Accord.
3. Key opportunities
There are numerous opportunities to harness the depth and breadth of Indigenous knowledge to tackle issues facing Australia and the world. Key examples include:
Climate Change
In Australia, Indigenous peoples are disproportionately exposed to a range of climate extremes in heat, rainfall and drought, and this disproportionate exposure is predicted to increase with climate change over the coming decades 5. Equally, it is widely accepted that major global challenges such as climate change cannot be overcome using western science alone 6. In Australia there is significant opportunity to mobilise the in-depth knowledge of Indigenous Australians. This can be done by
• promoting and including Indigenous knowledge in climate science and policy processes.
• strengthening indigenous peoples and local communities’ engagement in science.
• fostering transdisciplinary engagement with Indigenous peoples, researchers, and policymakers.
• recognising and valuing a range of methodologies to further understanding of climate change
impacts, adaptation and mitigation.
Health and wellbeing
There is growing interest in adopting new approaches to health and wellbeing that draw on Indigenous and holistic concepts of health and wellbeing, moving beyond narrow intervention targets. For example, mental health is a growing public health issue in Australia. In 2021 an estimated 1 in 5 (21%) Australians aged 16–85
5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35742752/#:~:text=The%20study%20showed%20Aboriginal%20populations,change%20over%20the%2
0coming%20decades.
6 https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000265504
experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months 7. Indigenous knowledges and research methodologies are critical to improving social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people but equally Indigenous approaches, with a focus on holistic models of care, have the potential to deliver benefits that extend more broadly 8. This highlights the opportunity for policymakers to recognise the value of Indigenous perspectives for wider public wellbeing, and strengthen efforts at the interface between knowledge systems 9.
Emerging technologies
AI is now essential across a vast array of industries including healthcare, banking, retail and manufacturing.
However, its success in improving efficiencies and lowering costs has been tempered with concern over ethical concerns about privacy, bias and discrimination 10. Australia has the opportunity to draw on
Indigenous knowledge systems to create culturally safe AI. This could include developing local systems that that embody data sovereignty principles (e.g., in healthcare) and meet our unique local context. Our distinct approach could position Australia as a global leader in culturally responsive and ethical AI around the world.
4. Feedback on the Principles
We would like to see greater emphasis of indigenous knowledge and equity of outcomes within the 7 principles outlined in the draft document.
We propose the addition of the following two principles:
generations and have a key role to play improving research outcomes and decision making.
• Fully acknowledge Indigenous knowledge systems. The Priorities should acknowledge that Indigenous
knowledge systems are built upon holistic and complex interrelationships that continuously
evolve, develop and are passed through the next generations and have a key role to play improving
research outcomes and decision making.
• Deliver equitable outcomes. The priorities must reflect the aspirations of the entire community and
commit to deliver equitable, positive outcomes for all Australians.
7 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health
8 https://www.lowitja.org.au/content/Image/LI_Discussion_Paper_P-Dudgeon_FINAL3.pdf
9 Mackean, T., Shakespeare, M., & Fisher, M. (2022). Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Theories of Wellbeing and Their Suitability for Wellbeing
Policy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11693.
10 https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/10/ethical-concerns-mount-as-ai-takes-bigger-decision-making-role/