PFAS transport through landfill clay liners enhanced with proteins. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmentally persistent, man-made chemicals found likely to be carcinogenic in humans. Due to their non-stick, water and stain repellences, PFAS have long been used in everyday products (food wrappers, carpets, furniture etc.) which end up in landfills. As it is currently unknown how PFAS move through the various components of landfill barriers, their fate and transpor ....PFAS transport through landfill clay liners enhanced with proteins. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmentally persistent, man-made chemicals found likely to be carcinogenic in humans. Due to their non-stick, water and stain repellences, PFAS have long been used in everyday products (food wrappers, carpets, furniture etc.) which end up in landfills. As it is currently unknown how PFAS move through the various components of landfill barriers, their fate and transport has become a priority for the regulators of Australia’s landfill sites according to the Australian 2018 PFAS National Environmental Management Plan. This research will determine PFAS transport through common clay barriers enhanced with proteins which have been shown to be an excellent sorbent for PFAS.Read moreRead less
Aboriginal Economic Development: Impact of Indigenous Chambers Commerce. This project aims to assess the economic impact of recent initiatives in Aboriginal economic development. In the last decade, Aboriginal-owned small business has increased; Indigenous Chambers of Commerce have been established and have developed memorandums of understanding for procurement of goods and services with industry; and the Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment (OCHRE) project was implemented b ....Aboriginal Economic Development: Impact of Indigenous Chambers Commerce. This project aims to assess the economic impact of recent initiatives in Aboriginal economic development. In the last decade, Aboriginal-owned small business has increased; Indigenous Chambers of Commerce have been established and have developed memorandums of understanding for procurement of goods and services with industry; and the Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment (OCHRE) project was implemented by the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs to stimulate economic development within Australia’s largest Aboriginal population. Using NSW as a case study, the project intends to assess economic development, job creation, new company creation, increase in the wellbeing of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal partners, and increase in social positivity. This may support the development of effective evidence-based government policy in the sector.Read moreRead less
Aboriginal child restoration from out-of-home care: pathways for success. The soaring rates of Indigenous children living in out-of-home care requires an urgent response. This research aims to considerably advance the knowledge regarding child restoration by investigating the lived experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal parents whose children have been restored from care. The project intends to identify successful child restoration initiatives and produce an empirical roadmap for navigating serv ....Aboriginal child restoration from out-of-home care: pathways for success. The soaring rates of Indigenous children living in out-of-home care requires an urgent response. This research aims to considerably advance the knowledge regarding child restoration by investigating the lived experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal parents whose children have been restored from care. The project intends to identify successful child restoration initiatives and produce an empirical roadmap for navigating service systems with the goal of restoration. The project expects to make a substantial contribution to this largely neglected research area that will benefit birth parents and families, communities, practitioners, policy makers and academics. In doing so, it aspires to reduce the prevalence of Aboriginal children in care.Read moreRead less
Walan Mayiny: Indigenous leadership in higher education. This project aims to explore the way universities currently ‘do business’ with Indigenous Australians through focusing on Indigenous leadership in higher education. It will identify the essential components of Indigenous leadership and will establish a model of best practice for the inclusivity of Indigenous leadership within higher education governance structures. Particular focus will be placed on the roles and values of senior Indigen ....Walan Mayiny: Indigenous leadership in higher education. This project aims to explore the way universities currently ‘do business’ with Indigenous Australians through focusing on Indigenous leadership in higher education. It will identify the essential components of Indigenous leadership and will establish a model of best practice for the inclusivity of Indigenous leadership within higher education governance structures. Particular focus will be placed on the roles and values of senior Indigenous appointments as well as factors effecting institutional fit and contribution to Indigenous outcomes. In addition the project will develop new tools and methods to explore this under-theorised area.Read moreRead less
Examination of the integration and diffusion of Aboriginal voices in public health collaboratives. Does the integration of Aboriginal voices in governance processes of public health collaboratives influence equity of access in service delivery? Improving access to services is a key priority in order to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. However there is no rigorous scientific evidence base driving current integration reforms. This project will use innovative methodologies (mathematical, ....Examination of the integration and diffusion of Aboriginal voices in public health collaboratives. Does the integration of Aboriginal voices in governance processes of public health collaboratives influence equity of access in service delivery? Improving access to services is a key priority in order to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. However there is no rigorous scientific evidence base driving current integration reforms. This project will use innovative methodologies (mathematical, visual, and vocal) which will lead to a performance indicator framework of the relationships between integration, collaboration, equity and access to services within a social model of health. This is a way to move from assessments of Aboriginal participation processes as 'bad, poor and no' to 'good, green and go'.Read moreRead less
Assessing supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer survivors' caregivers. This project aims to gather data about the needs of partners and caregivers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors. The project will undertake a comprehensive exploration of the experiences of caregivers and develop a psychometrically tested tool to assist in identifying unmet needs. The project expects to provide new knowledge about the needs of this population and a validated tool to better assess th ....Assessing supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer survivors' caregivers. This project aims to gather data about the needs of partners and caregivers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors. The project will undertake a comprehensive exploration of the experiences of caregivers and develop a psychometrically tested tool to assist in identifying unmet needs. The project expects to provide new knowledge about the needs of this population and a validated tool to better assess these needs. The project will result in improvements in the assessment of unmet supportive care needs in caregivers of Indigenous cancer survivors, leading to more timely interventions, and a better quality of life for patients and caregivers.Read moreRead less
Re-Focussing Qualitative Research. This project involves an in-depth investigation into the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Aboriginal health services research. FGDs are a common way of gathering qualitative data in Aboriginal health services research, however, there have been no studies as to whether they are appropriate research tools in such contexts. The aim of this project is to generate the knowledge to inform the accountable, culturally appropriate, ethically sound and methodolog ....Re-Focussing Qualitative Research. This project involves an in-depth investigation into the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Aboriginal health services research. FGDs are a common way of gathering qualitative data in Aboriginal health services research, however, there have been no studies as to whether they are appropriate research tools in such contexts. The aim of this project is to generate the knowledge to inform the accountable, culturally appropriate, ethically sound and methodologically rigorous use of FGDs in qualitative Aboriginal health service research.Read moreRead less
Healing Country: integrating knowledge systems to meet climate challenges. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are currently experiencing severe environmental challenges related to a changing climate. Led by Aboriginal communities, this project aims to integrate traditional knowledges and environmental and health data to create community story-data maps. These interactive, online maps will be a unique and powerful blend of information, providing a rich evidence base, decision-suppo ....Healing Country: integrating knowledge systems to meet climate challenges. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are currently experiencing severe environmental challenges related to a changing climate. Led by Aboriginal communities, this project aims to integrate traditional knowledges and environmental and health data to create community story-data maps. These interactive, online maps will be a unique and powerful blend of information, providing a rich evidence base, decision-support and communication tool to inform the co-design of local climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience plans. The project aims to give agency to Aboriginal communities in leading a systems change process to reduce environmental risks and strengthen health and wellbeing.Read moreRead less
A place-based model for Aboriginal community-led solutions. This project aims to investigate the unique approaches used by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to enable community ownership of holistic health and social programs in complex community settings. Focusing on a close analysis of regional south eastern NSW, the project will produce a robust theorisation of a place-based model for Aboriginal community-led solutions to health and social issues. This project will include mechani ....A place-based model for Aboriginal community-led solutions. This project aims to investigate the unique approaches used by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to enable community ownership of holistic health and social programs in complex community settings. Focusing on a close analysis of regional south eastern NSW, the project will produce a robust theorisation of a place-based model for Aboriginal community-led solutions to health and social issues. This project will include mechanisms for the transfer and sharing of learnings to other locations, and the early engagement of key stakeholder groups to ensure the benefits from the project are accessible and widely disseminated. The project will also provide training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.Read moreRead less
Testing a new model for addressing covert racism faced by Indigenous youth . Racism is associated with poor mental health among Indigenous youth (14-25 years). Previous research has examined overt forms of racism but overlooked subtle and covert forms. This project is designed to provide crucial new knowledge on the forms, impacts, and interpersonal context of covert racism among Indigenous youth. We will adapt, to an Indigenous youth context, an international model of microaggressions (brief, d ....Testing a new model for addressing covert racism faced by Indigenous youth . Racism is associated with poor mental health among Indigenous youth (14-25 years). Previous research has examined overt forms of racism but overlooked subtle and covert forms. This project is designed to provide crucial new knowledge on the forms, impacts, and interpersonal context of covert racism among Indigenous youth. We will adapt, to an Indigenous youth context, an international model of microaggressions (brief, daily acts of covert racism) which focuses on the impacts of racism on targets and the roles of non-Indigenous peoples in either sustaining or ameliorating racism. Expected outcomes will be a new model of covert racism to inform future racism research and interventions in Australia and among other First Nations peoples. Read moreRead less