The Hospital Research Foundation Group was proud to be one of 14 organisations that came together to sign a refreshed South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord at SAHMRI on 17 June.
Representatives from South Australia’s health, education and research sectors came together to reaffirm their commitment to research that is led by Aboriginal voices, shaped by community priorities and delivers meaningful benefits for Aboriginal people.
The refreshed Accord builds on the original South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord, which was established in 2014 and has helped transform the way research is conducted with Aboriginal communities across the state.
A recent review found the Accord has supported more culturally informed research practices over the past decade, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen and embed these principles more consistently across organisations.
The updated Accord was developed with guidance from Aboriginal Elders, community members and organisations. Their input helped shape a clearer framework for how research should be planned, conducted and shared, with a strong focus on Aboriginal leadership, cultural authority, collaboration and community benefit.
As a shared statewide resource, the Accord will be jointly owned by its signatories, with each organisation responsible for putting its principles into practice.
Wardliparingga Co-Lead and SA Accord Aboriginal Leadership Co-Chair Associate Professor Kim Morey said the refresh was an important step towards greater accountability across the research sector.
“We can develop health research principles with and for Aboriginal communities, but the responsibility for implementation sits with organisations across the system,” A/Prof Morey said.
“This next phase is about embedding those expectations into policies, processes and the way research is done day to day, so we see consistent application across the state.”
Wardliparingga Co-Lead and SA Accord Aboriginal Leadership Co-Chair Professor Odette Pearson said the new framework placed Aboriginal leadership, voice and decision-making at the centre of research.
“When research is led by Aboriginal people, shaped by community priorities and guided by cultural authority, its impact extends beyond individual projects. It strengthens trust, builds capability, reshapes systems and influences policy and practice. These ripples carry forward, supporting healthier Aboriginal communities,” Professor Pearson said.
One example of these principles in action is the Aboriginal Families and Baby Bundles research program, developed through the Aboriginal Communities and Families Research Alliance (ACRA).
The program supported Aboriginal mothers and babies during pregnancy and early childhood through a partnership between researchers, health services and community organisations. An Aboriginal Reference Group provided cultural guidance throughout the project, helping ensure decisions were informed by community needs and perspectives.
By signing the refreshed Accord, The Hospital Research Foundation Group joined fellow signatories in committing to support research that reflects Aboriginal priorities and creates lasting benefits for communities across South Australia.
Signatories:
- Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA) — Tanya McGregor, CEO
- Adelaide Primary Health Network (APHN) — Michelle McKay
- Adelaide University — Nicola Phillips, Vice Chancellor and President
- Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) — Reuben Jacob, Chief Executive Officer
- Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) — Dr Phil Clayton, Technical Director
- Bellberry — Trina O’Donnell, Director of Strategic Projects
- Cancer Council South Australia (CCSA) — Dr Julia Morris, Research Director
- Health Translation SA (HTSA) — Tom Symonds, Executive Director
- Heart Foundation — Dr Marie Ludlow, National Manager Regional Affairs
- The Hospital Research Foundation Group (THRF) — Professor Paul Flynn, CEO
- Flinders University — Professor Ray Chan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
- SA Health — The Hon. Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Health and Wellbeing
- South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON) — Scott Wilson, Lead Convenor
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) — The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Chair of the SAHMRI Board
- South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network (SAWCAN) — Polly Paerata, Executive Manager
