The importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and building the current and future workforce were reinforced at the NHMRC Indigenous Scientific Forum, held recently in Canberra.

 

Participants at the Forum called for the strategic promotion of current funding, encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to apply.  Formal mentoring programs and ethics workshops were also recommended, as was a review of completed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health projects.

 

The National Health and Medical Research Council held the successful event as part of its 75th Anniversary activities.

 

The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre was an ideal setting for the 50 participants who came together from the government and non-government sector.  Seventeen emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers contributed their views on the challenges of being a post-graduate student and shared their current research areas.

 

The Forum successfully identified ways of overcoming barriers and the role for institutions to play in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.  Key stakeholders, including the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations,Australian Research Council, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council, Menzies School of Health Research and the Federal Department of Health and Ageing contributed to the Forum and committed to working with the NHMRC to support emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.

 

Professor Warwick Anderson, Chief Executive Officer said “While there have been gains with increasing numbers of Indigenous students in the health area, the work to recruit more is ongoing.  Only through partnerships and collaborations with others will we have the numbers to make a difference in Closing the Gap.”