Researching Research: Redressing power imbalances in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research

Health-related research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has a problematic history. European scientific interests have determined both the topics of and approaches to research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Whether attempting to explain the origins of humanity and its presumed progression towards modernity or document every supposed relevant detail of a ‘dying race’, or exploring how its remnants might be absorbed into the dominant society, scientific research on the bodies and capabilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was undertaken without consent nor for the benefit of those whom they studied, but rather, was targeted towards the progression of the careers and reputations of those undertaking the studying. This anthropological thesis explores power relations in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research in Australia in order to improve contemporary research practice. Drawing on the conceptual framework of structural violence, it demonstrates how disrespectful and exploitative research activities result in misrepresentations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and knowledges, further entrenching unequal power dynamics between researchers and participating communities. The thesis is based on an extensive review of published literature, interviews with 32 Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous researchers, and autoethnographic reflection of health research practices extending over five years. It investigates how health research now seeks to centre the needs, priorities, values, experiences and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, yet also must still deal with legacies of history and work within structural constraints. Researchers participating within this thesis were primarily motivated by a desire to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers are often motivated to work in health research by family and personal connections, feelings of responsibility, and a desire to address root causes of health inequities, non-Indigenous researchers frequently were motivated by early socialisation, a desire to contribute, and to support social justice. Researchers are engaging with and transforming the enduring effects of settler colonial violence in health research by reflecting on the persisting influence of colonialism and institutional racism on research systems and praxis. They are actively interrupting colonising trends and redressing power imbalances by conducting research that meets community needs and priorities, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research leadership and governance, and translating research outcomes into benefit through policy and practice. Contemporary researchers seek to apply supportive and empowering research practices, based in relationality. They focus on building and maintaining relationships with participating communities, engaging participating communities in ways that honour local protocols and knowledge, involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members in active ways in research processes, and operating with flexibility to accommodate unexpected and changing circumstances. However, persistent pressures created by neoliberal values in academic settings continue to present barriers and challenges to relational research. Autoethnographic reflections further illustrate how principles of empowering research can be applied in practice by exploring the roles of space and place, relational accountability, reciprocity, waiting, and ‘emotion work’ in contemporary research. This thesis takes a strengths-based approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and contributes both new perspectives and a unique methodological approach to the anthropological study of power in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 202