This paper examines and reflects upon the research relationships between university-based researchers and community-based researchers working in social health and empowerment programs with the Indigenous community of Yarrabah in northern Queensland. Such relationships have undergone significant reappraisal and change in the past decade, and, in the case of Yarrabah, are undergoing significant expansion. At Yarrabah, this has been a process whereby the community has set the research agenda and university researchers have facilitated the development of appropriate programs and the capacity of the community to administer and run these programs.

This paper emphasises that implementation of community research partnerships is a process requiring time, trust and commitment from all involved. An important aspect of the programs that has facilitated these experiences is the inclusion of supportive and reflexive processes within the research framework for both ongoing orientation and evaluation. It is a process that can be personally rewarding for professional researchers and that allows community members wider social engagement.

Author K. Mayo, K. Tsey & Empowerment Research Team
Type Publications
Year 2009
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Research Dancing: Reflections on the Relationships between University-based Researchers and Community-based Researchers at Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation
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