COE Research & Education

Research and Education

All the activities of the Inala Indigenous Health Service aim to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and research is an essential part of this.

Our Research and Education Team is comprises Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, and is committed to research projects that result in meaningful changes to health and wellbeing, and the health services we deliver. Many of our clinical staff are also involved in research, including our allied health professionals, community health workers, doctors and nurses. Collectively, our staff are experienced in a variety of types of research methods, and have published over 120 papers and given many research presentations in Australia and internationally. Details are found in Publications and Presentations.

We also support a large Education program partnering with tertiary and secondary education, student placements, staff professional development including securing additional qualifications, and cultural onboarding and orientation.

Research governance

All research projects involving our health service must be considered and approved by our internal Research Committee, prior to progressing through the Inala Community Jury for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. The Research Committee assesses the capacity for Inala Indigenous Health Service to conduct the research, and the relative risks and benefits to the Community and health service. The Inala Community Jury assesses each project in terms of appropriate methodology and ethical conduct from an Indigenous lens, cultural appropriateness, and the relative importance to the local community. The Inala Community Jury also provides community and cultural oversight throughout the research project. For more information, see our Community Jury page. Both of these processes are conducted prior to preview by a Human Research and Ethics Committee.

Types of research

The key aim of all of our research is to optimise the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through the best possible health care to our clients and their families. We use Indigenist and strengths-based approaches that recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sovereignty, concepts of health and wellbeing, and deep connection to land, seas and skies.

Our research focuses on:

  • The priorities identified by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, which align with the clinical needs identified by our staff
  • Improving the delivery health services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Optimising physical and mental health, social and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan
  • Supporting strong spirit and health for babies, children, youth/adolescents, adults and our Elders

We conduct all types of research including cross-sectional studies, qualitative explorations to understand the lived experience of health conditions and health services, multisite clinical trials, health service evaluation, and longitudinal data collection and analysis using routinely collected clinical data (health checks) to measure and explain change in health status over time.

All of our research is governed by the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and the NHMRC Ethical Guidelines for research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Our research is conducted with Indigenous leadership and engagement throughout, and as such we are committed to increasing our Indigenous workforce to support our research.

Research partners

Much of our research is done in partnership with other services. For more information on our research projects and partners please contact us.

Interested in research?

For further information about current research projects, to discuss a potential research topic, or to express interest in education opportunities, please contact Bena Brown, Research & Education Manager, on 07 3101 8382 or email us at Inala_ResearchEducation@health.qld.gov.au


Although care is taken, this site, and links from it to third-party sites, may possibly contain the names or images of people who have passed away, which may sadden and distress some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Last updated: 9 March 2023