It’s the result of a jointly hosted forum held in Naarm (Melbourne) in late 2025 which explored sustainable models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research in diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Groups funded through MTPConnect’s Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program which progressed solutions for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, came together with community partners, government representatives, funders and sector leaders.
“The forum brought into sharp focus what genuine, community-led research looks like in practice, grounded in trust, cultural authority and local priorities,” said MTPConnect CEO and MD Stuart Dignam.
“Supporting the generation of evidence is only the beginning – enabling its sustainable implementation is an ethical imperative, and the only way to ensure that health and wellbeing benefits are enduring,” said Stuart Dignam.
“Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and participation in research is critical to ensuring that research is driven by community priorities, conducted in culturally safe ways, and delivers meaningful outcomes for our peoples and communities,” said Lowitja Institute CEO Paul Stewart.
“Forum participants told us that community-centred research needs to be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from start to finish. Ensuring leadership at all stages of the research process enhances community trust. When resources are created by and for communities, it leads to meaningful, long-term outcomes,” said Paul Stewart.
“It was a privilege to participate in the forum and hear directly from community,” said AusHSI Operations Director Megan Campbell.
“This important resource will support funders, policymakers and partners to elevate and sustain First Nations research leadership, and ensure evidence is translated into meaningful, long-term improvements in health and wellbeing. We encourage all organisations funding or shaping health research to engage with these findings and embed these approaches in their work,” said Megan Campbell.
The guidance outlines enablers of long-term impact in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diabetes and cardiovascular research and is available to download here:
MTPConnect website | Lowitja Institute website | AusHSI website
Caption: A panel discusses sustainability and sustainable models of funding. From left: Ms Jayde Ward, Director, Philanthropic Services, JBWere; Ms Jaki Adams, Executive Manager Research and Knowledge Translation – Lowitja Institute; Mr Abe Ropitini, Executive Director Population Health – the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
A panel discusses cross cutting themes and key learnings from their TTRA-funded projects. From left: Ms Talena Waia, Wellbeing Officer, Gulf Youth and Community Services, Borroloola; Ms Edwina Murphy, Peer Facilitator, Menzies School of Health Research; Ms Rebecca Nielsen, Aboriginal Project Officer at SA Health, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN); Ms Karrina DeMasi, Project Manager, Aboriginal Womens’ Cardiovascular Research, The Kids Institute; Dr Bronwyn Rossingh Research Manager Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation; Professor Beverley-Ann Biggs, Head, Global and Indigenous Health Group, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne.
Forum participants listen to presentations from the TTRA-funded projects