Professor Yvonne Cadet-James, the pioneering researcher, academic, mentor, registered nurse and midwife is celebrating a 25-year legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
A proud Gugu Badhun woman from the Valley of Lagoons in North Queensland, Professor Cadet-James has been an integral driving force in transforming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research in Australia.
Professor Yvonne Cadet-James’s career began when she was only 16 as a registered nurse, eventually transitioning to midwifery and closely followed by a career as an academic. Now after 45 years in the health sector, she is embarking on a new journey.
Throughout the years Professor Cadet-James has held valued affiliations with NHMRC, she has remained a central figure, empowering other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, organisations, and communities to strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. Until now, following the announcement of her retirement.
Last week we bid farewell to Professor Cadet-James. While we reflect on her extensive history with NHMRC, we wish to celebrate the deep relationship that has grown both in the past and present, and where it will continue to flourish in the future.
It was in the year 2000 when Professor Cadet-James received her first NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship grant funding for a project titled: 'Who supports the Grandmothers? The role of Indigenous Grandmothers in Contemporary Australian Society.' Her legacy for NHMRC grant funding extends to 17 other research projects, equating to over $24 million in funding for addressing public health interests such as maternal and childhood health, tobacco use, alcohol, and cannabis misuse.
With extensive experience in the field of health and education, those fortunate enough to work alongside Professor Cadet-James know that, at heart, she is a prolific leader and mentor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In the process, she has paved the way, and opened the door for the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics, proving to be an excellent mentor for those early career researchers.
‘I am in awe of the increasing number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research leaders across so many disciplines and the inspiring next generation who will carry on the work into the future.’
Professor Cadet-James
Through her many advisory roles with NHMRC, including her appointment as member of NHMRC Council (2021-2024) and subsequential appointment as chair of the Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC) (2021-2024), she has been a prominent voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical research. She has also been a member of NHMRC’s Australian Health Ethics Committee (2018-2021) and the Health Translation Advisory Committee (2015-2018), as well as PCIC (2015-2021).
‘I am thankful for the wisdom and support of colleagues over the years which has enhanced my learning and place in the world.’
Professor Cadet-James.
Beyond committee appointments, Professor Cadet-James’s influence extended into working committees for the National Statement Section 4 Review (2018-2021) and the Indigenous Research Ethics Guidelines Review (2015-2017), as well as various other grant review panels and assessment committees for both NHMRC and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) projects.
Over her incredible career, Professor Cadet-James’s name has become synonymous with championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research in Australia. In 2022 she was awarded an honorary doctorate through the Central Queensland University, acknowledging her services to national Indigenous research reform, and in 2019 she was the recipient of the Lowitja Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award recognised her contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and her commitment to empowering communities to overcome issues impacting their people.
Throughout the years we have had the pleasure of working with Professor Cadet-James, NHMRC has been guided by her steadfast leadership, supporting our vision of building a healthy Australia through improving health outcomes, as well as building and strengthening capacity and capability in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical research sector.
Professor Cadet-James was instrumental in the national consultation process for the Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC) in 2023, which followed the consultation and release of Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research during 2018.
Professor Cadet-James has always remained firm in her advocation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s involvement in health research to Close the Gap. In 2022, she worked with PCIC to set the target of 3.4% of NHMRC grants to be awarded annually to research led by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher. This has been a key achievement for NHMRC’s health priority of improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including through research that addresses health inequities.
As an outstanding leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical research, Professor Cadet-James supported the establishment of an NHMRC-funded national network of 90 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in 2021. The network, known as OCHRe (Our Collaborations in Health Research), has attracted unique skills across culture, knowledge, and health research to address the health priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and now has over 250 members.
The highlights of Professor Cadet-James’s contributions to NHMRC significantly span beyond everything described in this telling of her career. It is difficult to encapsulate the work of someone as inspiring, wise, and gracious as Professor Cadet-James, as well as someone who has always been so willing to share their knowledge and experience with those around her.
‘It has been an honour and privilege to have had the opportunity to make a contribution to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing through advocating for quality research.
‘This has been made possible by NHMRC’s commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, organisations and communities drive the research agenda on matters which impact them.’
Professor Cadet-James
NHMRC thanks you, Yvonne, for your 25 years of leadership with us and we wish you all the very best in your retirement.