• Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

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15 July 2011Indigenous peoples have inherent rights, including the right to self-determination. The principles in these Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies are founded on respect for their rights. These include rights to full and fair participation in any processes, projects and activities that impact on them, and the right to control and maintain their culture and heritage. AIATSIS considers that these principles are not only a matter of ethical research practice but of human rights.

It is essential that Indigenous people are full participants in research projects that concern them, share an understanding of the aims and methods of the research, and share the results of this work. At every stage, research with and about Indigenous peoples must be founded on a process of meaningful engagement and reciprocity between the researcher and Indigenous people. It should also be recognised that there is no sharp distinction between researchers and Indigenous people. Indigenous people are also researchers, and all participants must be regarded as equal participants in a research engagement.

This new edition of the Guidelines embodies the best standards of ethical research and human rights. The guidelines have been revised to reflect developments in critical areas that have emerged since the previous edition in 2000. These include changes to intellectual property laws, and rights in traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, and the establishment of agreements and protocols between Indigenous people and researchers. These guidelines also take into account emerging developments in digitisation, and data and information management, and the very significant impacts this has on research and other aspects of Indigenous studies.

These guidelines are primarily intended for research sponsored by AIATSIS. However, AIATSIS recognises that it has responsibility as a leading institution in Australian Indigenous studies and that its ethics guidelines inform all research in this area.