Annual Progress Reports of Funded Research

National First Nations Research Network (2005944)

  • Professor Gail Garvey (Chief Investigator A)
  • University of Queensland
  • Budget: $10,000,000.00
  • Funding period: 2021 to 2026

Project Synopsis

The collective vision of the National First Nations Research Network, Our Collaborations in Health Research (OCHRe), is the establishment of a culturally secure and inclusive network of Indigenous researchers across Australia and sovereign Indigenous Nations, that builds unique skills at the interface of culture, science and health research that translates to improvements in the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.

Delivered and led by First Nations researchers for First Nations Peoples, guided by self-determination, this Network will nurture culturally safe environments, connect expertise, catalyse research methods, and provide training and development. OCHRe will create career pathways to achieve national capability and generational growth, for sustained health and wellbeing of our communities.

OCHRe comprises 4 Hubs that will drive its implementation:

  • NEXGEN Hub: Nurturing the Next Generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers
  • UNITE Hub: Unlocking National Indigenous Translational Research Excellence
  • Maali Hub: Meaning “Black Swan” in Noongar (WA Aboriginal) language
  • OWL Hub: Our Wisdom Leading 

Progress report April 2024

The OCHRe governance, structures and operations are established and operational. We have held webinars and produced resources to encourage and support capacity building, provided travel bursaries, and hosted 2 national forums on First Nations research.

OCHRe’s membership is continuing to grow and currently has 350 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers and friends. Our vision is to transform the calibre and capabilities of First Nations peoples to conduct research that is innovative, scientifically competitive, rigorous and transformational for communities in which they work. OCHRe has supported the Lowitja Institute in launching and enrolling the first cohort for the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Theory and Practice.

Publications, conference abstracts and other resources
  • Online Forum 14 November 2023: ‘Growing Leadership in First Nations Research’
  • Convocation 17 – 18 April 2024: ‘Celebrating Blak Excellence’
OCHRe Resources

Pamphlets on the following topics:

  • ‘Considering a career in health research?’
  • ‘How microcredentialing can unlock opportunities for you?’
  • ‘OCHRe Our Collaborations in Health Research’