Subject Guides: Research: Ethics and research principles

Primary resources

Before undertaking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research it is important to examine the specific ethical and research considerations. There are a number of key resources created by or in consultation with Indigenous research organisations and bodies that should be referred prior to prior to engaging in research activities.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is Australia's only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history, cultures and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.

AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research outlines four key principles that underpin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. The Code applies to all forms of academic research and is intended to be used by individuals, funding bodies, organisations as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples engaged in/with research.
A Guide to applying The AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
This Guide outlines advice for researchers when applying the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research. It also provides practical guidelines for ethics review bodies to incorporate the four principles.

Further resources and discipline specific guidelines

Many key research organisations, including the Australian Research Council (ARC), have also release statements, guidelines and protocols for engaging responsibly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research and knowledge. Please see the list below for more information:

Australian Research Council: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers and Research Statement
This policy statement articulates the ARC’s commitment to continuously supporting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, research students and research through our
key activities
NHMRC: Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders
Created by the National Health and Medical Research Council this document defines six core values
— spirit and integrity, cultural continuity, equity, reciprocity, respect, and responsibility. Applying these
values and other ethical principles will ensure that research conducted with or for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people and communities, or their data or biological samples, is ethically conducted.
NHMRC: Keeping research on track ii
Keeping research on track II was developed to provide advice on how the values and principles outlined in Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders can be put into practice in research.

Skills for Supervisors Program: Indigenous research ethics

There are a number of unique considerations that supervisors of research students need to be prepared for when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research spaces and research students.

View the video below, presented by Professor Andrew Gunstone, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Reconciliation and Professor Bindi Bennett, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Professorial Research Fellow as they discuss skills for research supervisors around Indigenous research ethics.

Skills for Supervisors Program: Indigenous Research ethics