This International Open Access week the Library is highlighting the University’s ongoing efforts to support open scholarship and knowledge sharing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges are a significant asset that reflects an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community’s history, values, and cultural and social identity. Making Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges open access, when it is appropriate, ensures that this valuable resource is freely available, provided it is used respectfully and with consideration of intellectual property rights.
Benefits
- Enhanced research: Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges into research projects can lead to innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of various fields, from environmental to social sciences.
- Cultural competence: Exposure to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives fosters cultural competence among students and staff, promoting a more inclusive and respectful academic community.
- Community engagement and benefit: Open access initiatives can strengthen ties with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, demonstrating a commitment to collaboration and mutual respect. It also enables access to research outputs created by the custodians of that knowledge.
Challenges and considerations
While the benefits are clear, there are challenges to consider. Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges are shared ethically and with proper consent is paramount. Researchers must work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to establish guidelines and practices that respect cultural sensitivities and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights. In some cases, in may be culturally inappropriate to share knowledge beyond the partnering community.
Read more on these rights and how to apply them in True Tracks: Respecting Indigenous knowledge and culture by Terri Jenke.
Sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges
Researchers play a crucial role in championing open access and the integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges. By supporting initiatives that promote the ethical sharing of this knowledge, we can contribute to a more inclusive academic environment. For an in-depth look at this area, watch a recording of Professor Peter Anderson, Director of the Indigenous Research Unit, discussing open access and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges. Check out the links to related resources in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research guide. Contact the Library if you’d like to know more.
