Community-driven health research in the Torres Strait

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health Research
• Community-Based Participatory Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Torres Strait and Queensland Northern Peninsula Area communities expressed long-standing concerns about exploitation by external researchers.
• A need for a locally driven research agenda prioritizing community respect, consultation, and benefits was identified.
• Past research practices lacked adequate community engagement and yielded limited local advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a community-driven research program tailored to local cultural and health priorities in the Torres Strait.
• To enhance local research capacity through a practical, hands-on "learn-by-doing" methodology.
• To foster a sense of ownership and ensure research directly benefits the participating communities.

Main Methods:

• A consultative group of elders and senior health providers was convened by the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (Waiben Campus-Ngulaigau Mudh).
• Four workshops were conducted throughout 2019, with content and format evolving based on participant feedback.
• Financial and in-kind support was provided by key organizations including the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Hot North, and Queensland Health's Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.

Main Results:

• The initial workshop engaged 24 participants, none with prior research experience, indicating a strong need for capacity building.
• Participant feedback throughout the workshop series was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting engagement and learning.
• Research proposals developed by participants are progressing through various stages of refinement and development.

Conclusions:

• The initiative represents a sustained investment in community-led research, aiming to deliver tangible health improvements for the Torres Strait population.
• Despite temporary suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project's long-term vision for community empowerment in research remains.
• The developed model holds potential applicability for other rural and remote communities in Australia seeking to implement self-determined research agendas.