The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded a $2 million Discovery Indigenous grant to a project led by Professor John Gilroy which will examine the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the disability services sector.
"This ARC funded disability research project, led only by Aboriginal Chief Investigators, aims to identify ways to attract and recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the disability services sector to increase the number and proportion of workers," said Professor Gilroy, Yuin man, Charles Perkins Centre member and Professor of Indigenous Health and Disability in the Faculty of Medicine and Health.
Professor John Gilroy holds his work The Head And Hands Need The Heart
"By using Indigenous knowledge translation activities, we will create resources that will support disability service providers to make the sector an attractive and culturally safe workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. This would then increase the number and proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the disability workforce."
"In effect, this will lead to better support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability."
The project will identify the factors that influence the attraction and recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the disability services workforce in government, non-government, and the for-profit sectors in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia.
It is a collaboration with researchers from around Australia, including Associate Professor Michelle Dickson, Darkinjung/Narigo person, Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and member of the Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and Sydney Environment Institute.
Associate Professor Dickson said: "This funding supports strong Indigenous led research that will create impact by developing and nurturing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disability workforce. Research led by us, for us, and done our way. That's a powerful win! The Poche Centre of Indigenous Health is so proud to be part of this amazing opportunity!"
Artwork by Professor John Gilroy
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and community services workforces are an identified area of the Australian Government's Closing the Gap strategy. A culturally safe workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has a direct impact on the experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability.
The ARC awarded only 11 Discovery Indigenous grants nationally in this round, with Professor Gilroy's project securing the largest grant.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Emma Johnston congratulated Professor Gilroy on this achievement.
"Professor Gilroy's research speaks to the need for more culturally sensitive workplaces and the importance of care providers who can meet the holistic needs of their communities," Professor Johnston said.
"This project showcases the potential for good that comes from grounding health research in the unique perspectives and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples."
