Strong interest in Symposium

Postgraduate students will share their experiences of conducting research in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities at a symposium in Toowoomba on Tuesday 27 September.

Indigenous Nurse Research Fellow at USQ, Raelene Ward, said the event is an initiative of the University’s Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health (CRRAH) and Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges (CAIK) and has attracted significant interest from across the country.

'Sixty people have registered to date, including a lot of people from USQ, Queensland Health Services, Aboriginal Health Services, the Brisbane community and Melbourne University.

'We also have a lot of Aboriginal people coming from Cunnamulla and Dalby and a good mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.'

Raelene said an address by Cherokee Native American and Professor in Nursing at Florida Atlantic University, Dr John Lowe, is expected to be a highlight of the event.

'Research on Native Americans is very advanced compared to research on our people, so we can learn a lot from them and adopt their strategies and thinking.'

Five postgraduate research students from CRRAH will also share their experiences.

'The main focus of our individual talks will be Keeping Research on Track document within the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines, which are based around eight key themes including building relationships, conceptualisation and analysis.'

Sharing personal experiences is also a primary aim of the event.

'My journey through study has always focused on my people,' Raelene said.

'I find it’s always very challenging working with Aboriginal people, and people I know personally, and also balancing my culture, work and family.

'So I feel that sometimes as an Aboriginal person, working in this environment, you have a lot more hurdles. That is not to say it’s negative, but that is these are the challenges that we face.'

A welcome to country, community panel and address by Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council CEO, Selwyn Button, also feature on the program.

The Symposium will be held at the City Golf Club in Toowoomba on Thursday 27 September from 8.30am.

Contact Details:
USQ Media 07 4631 2977