The Aboriginal Research Methodology Course (ARMC)

History

The Nulungu Research Institute has been delivering the Aboriginal Research Methodology Course since 2017. The course originated through collaboration with Nulungu and Madjulla Incorporated. Initially, seed funded through the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) project, Professor Juli Coffin (previously Director of Nulungu Research Institute and now Nulungu Adjunct Professor) and Professor Sandra Wooltorton (Senior Research Fellow) along with Professor Anne Poelina and Mr Ian Perdrisat (Madjulla Incorporated), identified there was an opportunity and a need to develop a research course, with the capabilities to enhance the skills of current and future Aboriginal Researchers, and Project Managers within the Kimberley region.

The course development and delivery were subsequently funded by Mary Mackillop Foundation (currently known as Mary Mackillop Today), for a period of three years. With ongoing collaboration with Madjulla, Nulungu has delivered the course on seventeen separate occasions between 2017-2024. The course has proven to be both successful and popular, with demand increasing each year. It is a unique program within the research field and our region, therefore we have decided to continue to deliver this course for years to come.

2024 Course Dates

Stage One: 7 - 9 May 2024, 8 - 10 October 2024

Stage Two: 5 - 7 November 2024

Course Delivery

The Aboriginal Research Methodology Course is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is held on Broome campus over three days.  We are also liaising with partnering organisations to deliver the course in other locations, with participant numbers pending.

Course Structure

The courses consist of two stages: ‘Stage One: Introduction to Aboriginal Research Methodology for Aboriginal People’ and ‘Stage Two: Aboriginal Research Methods for Aboriginal People’. The course involves workshops and lectures over three consecutive days.  For further information on each stage see below. Stage One is delivered twice a year and Stage Two once a year.

Course Fees

Please contact nulungu for fees nulungu@nd.edu.au or 08 9192 0670. For payment, enquiries contact the Nulungu Research Institute office on (08) 9192 0670.

Stage One: Introduction to Aboriginal Research Methodology for Aboriginal People.

The program aims to give Aboriginal people an insight into how research can be undertaken. We incorporate community stories and lived experiences to increase participants understanding of how to do research,  from a respectful, and ethically correct, Aboriginal perspective.

The program targets Aboriginal people across all disciplines living and working within the Kimberley region, who are interested in increasing their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Research. The course can also be undertaken by other Indigenous people across Australia where there is demand and interest.

The three-day Professional Development program targets Aboriginal people looking to develop their knowledge and skills in applied research, with particular relevance for Aboriginal people in training, as well as those already working in a range of industries, but who may not be aware they are already engaging with Aboriginal research.

The program acknowledges Aboriginal people have a wealth of lived experiences and collective wisdom. Learners will be introduced to examples of research literature and discuss ways to incorporate new knowledge into their research and other professional roles.  These life-long learning experiences will be promoted and will be a critical part of sharing stories of lived experiences as Aboriginal people, which can then be implemented to future projects relevant to the individuals.

Stage Two: Aboriginal Research Methods for Aboriginal People

Stage Two builds on the learnings of Stage One and is open to those who have prior experience in Aboriginal Research/Projects. The course provides the opportunity through 'Talking/Yarning Circles' to explore discuss and debate the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal communities, leadership and governance .The aim is for Aboriginal people to share knowledge and lived experiences to inform research and evaluation from a respectful, and ethically correct Aboriginal perspective.

The Program will target Aboriginal people across disciplines who are living and working in the Kimberley region, and are interested in increasing their knowledge and understanding of applied Aboriginal Research.

Learners will be required to identify and write a small funding grant to communicate a research project and or program. It will increase participants’ knowledge and practice of data sovereignty and the protection of Aboriginal Intellectual Property and cultural knowledge.

For further information contact:
Jo Wilkins | +61 8 9192 0670 | nulungu@nd.edu.au