Experiences of co-designing research about a rural Aboriginal well-being program: Informing practice and policy

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health Research
• Community-Based Participatory Research
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Co-designing research with Aboriginal communities is crucial for effective well-being programs.
• Understanding researcher reflexivity and power dynamics is essential for equitable partnerships.
• Rural and regional contexts present unique challenges and opportunities for Aboriginal health research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore researcher experiences and reflexivity in co-designing a rural Aboriginal well-being program.
• To inform practice and policy through collaborative research processes.
• To challenge the status quo in critically framed, rural-based Aboriginal well-being research.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from published articles, Yarning transcripts, and reflective journals.
• Employed an interpretive cycle of collaborative Yarning with researchers.
• Focused on researcher experiences and reflexivity in co-design.

Main Results:

• Developed the Duguula Gayirray (Yarning together), Yandaarray (walking together), and Duguula Nguraljili (sharing together) co-design practice model.
• Highlighted the importance of respectful relationships between community and researchers.
• Identified seven interpersonal ways of being supporting co-design actions.

Conclusions:

• The Duguula Gayirray, Yandaarray, and Duguula Nguraljili model is critical for co-design, grounded in respectful relationships.
• Experiences led to critiquing power sharing, equitable partnerships, and collaborative knowledge.
• Transformed understanding of liberation from dominant Western research, advancing Aboriginal health research practice and policy.