A first-of-its-kind online course, 'Genomics Our Way - An Introduction to Genomics Research with Indigenous Australians', has been developed through the Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics (ALIGN), led by Alex Brown (Yuin), Professor of Indigenous Genomics at The Kids Research Institute Australia and the Australian National University. It is supported by the Australian Academy of Science's Theo Murphy Initiative, the University of Adelaide and the OCHRe network.
"The Australian Academy of Science is thrilled to support this initiative, which is designed to provide early- and mid-career researchers with cultural and historical knowledge that enables respectful genomic research with Indigenous Australians. This drives informed and respectful engagement with Indigenous Australians, and supports ethical and priority-driven genomics research," said Professor Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Academy.
The Theo Murphy (Australia) Initiative was established to further scientific discovery and supports activities that aim to provide tangible benefits to Australia's early- and mid-career researcher community. The initiative is administered by the Australian Academy of Science on behalf of the Royal Society and provides grants for activities and events that support the fund's purpose.
Genomics enables precision medicine, which helps to predict what treatments a person will respond to, what health conditions a person is likely to experience, and even what interventions could prevent a person from developing a health condition. Genomics can also help us actively monitor the environment, understand past environmental changes, and better predict future interventions such as wildfire management.
This initiative … is designed to provide early- and mid-career researchers with cultural and historical knowledge that enables respectful genomic research with Indigenous Australians.
ALIGN is a purposeful alliance between community, health, research, government and industry that privileges Indigenous leadership and sovereignty. Its aim is to deliver equity and benefit to Indigenous Australians through genomics.
"The course emphasises Indigenous Data Sovereignty, ensuring that communities have control over their data and that research aligns with their values and priorities," said Professor Alex Brown.
"It underscores the importance of Indigenous governance and provides practical guidance on establishing Indigenous governance structures and fostering two-way learning opportunities between researchers and communities."
The course introduces participants to the Indigenous Research Lifecycle, a practical framework to guide their research journey when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or conducting research on their lands. This ensures communities are integral stakeholders in the ideation, design, interpretation and dissemination of research programs, and not the subjects of them.
The course enlists the contributions of several leading Aboriginal experts and allies to provide researchers with the tools to navigate the complexities of genetic research while upholding the cultural values of Indigenous communities during the research lifecycle. It also introduces emerging areas of genomic research. The course content has been reviewed and approved by members of the ALIGN National Indigenous Governance Council.
Who should enrol
This course is designed to support:
- early- and mid-career researchers in genomics, genetics and related fields
- university students studying medicine, public health, genetics or Indigenous studies
- ethics committee members and policymakers
- educators seeking to teach Indigenous culture, history and science
- research organisation leadership seeking to establish and support Indigenous research activities
- anyone interested in promoting ethical and equitable research practices with Indigenous communities.
Call to action
Enrol in the Genomics Our Way - An Introduction to Genomics Research with Indigenous Australians online course today and become a champion in ethical and equitable Indigenous genomics research.
