Indigenous research

Our group currently undertakes research in various areas related to psychology and wellbeing, and actively pursues competitive grant funding through such bodies as the ARC, NHMRC and philanthropic bodies.

A key part of our approach focuses on adhering to the principles of Indigenous research; responsibility, respect and reciprocity and a holistic understanding of Indigenous wellbeing. This includes pursuing self-determined research and outcomes for Indigenous communities, and the use of Indigenous methodologies, co-design, and community engagement.

We currently undertake research in the areas of:

• Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing
• Landcare
• Indigenous men’s support groups
• Cultural identity
• Indigenous youth and connection to culture
• Indigenous research methodologies
• Connection and contemplation for First Nations peoples
• Photovoice
• Building Belonging for Indigenous Students
• Exploring experiences of Child Protective Services
• Educational co-design and lived experience
• Culturally appropriate wellbeing measures for Aboriginal kids

Publications

The Murrup Bung-allambee Indigenous Psychology Group is a group of Indigenous academics and higher-degree research students who conduct research into improving the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous peoples. Our research focus spans topics such as clinical psychology, holistic wellbeing, lateral violence and even land-care. Some of our publications are available below.

Selected publications

• Strategies for coping and dealing with lateral violence among Aboriginal people living in south-east Australia 
• Yarning about e-mental health tools: First Nations Australian youth perspectives of well-being and e-health
• Aboriginal Practitioners’ Perspectives on Culturally Informed Practice for Trauma Healing in Australia
• Young urban Aboriginal adults’ perspectives of culture and SEWB: A community report (PDF, 11.21 MB)
• ‘Lateral violence stems from the colonial system’: settler-colonialism and lateral violence in Aboriginal Australians’
• Growing Indigenous graduates in the health professions: a case study in decentralised student selection and engagement 
• Storying Ways to Reflect on Power, Contestation, and Yarning Research Method Application”
• Ngarratja Kulpaana: Talking together about the impacts of lateral violence on aboriginal social and emotional well-being and identity
• Aboriginal perceptions of social and emotional wellbeing programs: A systematic review of literature assessing social and emotional wellbeing programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians perspectives
• Understanding Culture: the voices of urban Aboriginal young people.
• “Connection to Culture Is Like a Massive Lifeline”: Yarning With Aboriginal Young People About Culture and Social and Emotional Wellbeing.
• Lateral violence in Indigenous peoples
• People Needs Country: the symbiotic effects of landcare and wellbeing for Aboriginal peoples and their countries.
• Examining the Associations Between Experiences of Perceived Racism and Drug and Alcohol Use in Aboriginal Australians