Erin Rooney
PhD Candidate
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
 

Pecha Kucha Presentation
Monday 9 December, 10:54am

Purpose: Prevailing Western philosophical standpoints embedded within research practices lead to poorer health and well-being outcomes for First Nations peoples. To rectify this, there is a need for research methodologies to be culturally safe and non-exploitative. This discussion focuses on developing a practical tool for researchers to critically reflect on inherent biases, ensure culturally safe practices, and integrate Indigenous methodologies into health research.

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Approach: A review of literature highlighted the impact of Western ethical frameworks on First Nations values and knowledge systems. The exploration of literature included the historical context of research exploitation and its implications for health disparities.

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Results: Significant misalignment between Western research ethics and the values of First Nations communities result in cultural insensitivity, systemic biases, and lack of representation. Disparities in healthcare access and quality persist due to the imposition of Western ethical frameworks. Findings suggest that integrating First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing into research can foster trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.

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Conclusions: Decolonisation of Western research ethics requires a fundamental shift towards incorporating culturally safe practices and Indigenous methodologies. By adopting these approaches, researchers can contribute to dismantling systemic barriers, improving health outcomes, and ensuring that First Nations voices are respected and valued in health research.