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Ethical research

The AIATSIS Act (1989) mandates AIATSIS to provide leadership in the field of ethics and protocols for research related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and collections.

The AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (The AIATSIS Code) ensures that research with and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples follows a process of meaningful engagement and reciprocity between the researcher and the individuals and/or communities involved in the research.

In October 2020 AIATSIS published the Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research. This document supersedes and replaces the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS). All references to GERAIS in Australian research codes and guidance should be taken to refer to this Code.

The release of the AIATSIS Code will see a 12-month implementation period. Other supporting resources and templates will be developed and published during the implementation period and beyond.

  • History

    For over twenty years AIATSIS has provided national and international guidance in the ethical practice of research concerning Indigenous peoples. We are committed to improving the standards of engagement and the benefits that research can offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    The former Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS) established itself as representing the highest standards for ethical research, to ensure that research with and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples follows a process of meaningful engagement and reciprocity between the researcher and the individuals and/or communities involved.

    The Guidelines were regularly revised to reflect developments in critical areas that had emerged since previous editions. These included changes to intellectual property laws, rights in traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, and the establishment of agreements and protocols between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and researchers, as well as emerging developments in digitisation, data and information management, and the very significant impacts this has on research and other aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies.

    In 2018, AIATSIS undertook a substantial review of the Guidelines. This review saw a shift from Guidelines to a Code.

  • Ethics training

    Due to current demand for ethics training, we will not be offering any further workshops or coaching sessions in 2022. The ethics team will be reviewing and updating our training schedule and offerings in preparation for 2023. 

    This page will be updated with our ethics training offerings in early 2023. 

    If you have previously contacted us regarding these services, we will respond shortly. 

    AIATSIS provides training for researchers, PhD students, HRECs, Government organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and anyone else involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

    The ethics training is designed to teach, inform and mentor participants to ensure the best ethical standards are met in research.

    Ethics training is facilitated both face to face and virtually by qualified research facilitators including members of the AIATSIS Research Ethics Committee. Through the specialised training, participants will gain:

    • An awareness of the ethical framework for research in Australia
    • An understanding of the ethical principles underpinning the AIATSIS Code of Ethics
    • An understanding of key issues in designing and undertaking ethical engagement practices
    • Knowledge on how to apply the principles in practice
    • An overview of the process and expectations for ethical clearance

    The training can be customised to meet the needs of the research focus.  

    It is encouraged that participants bring prospective ethical dilemmas in their work or involvement with research to be discussed during the training.

    Training type Group size
    AIATSIS Ethics workshop Up to 30 people
    AIATSIS Ethics coaching session 1-6 people
  • Resources and templates

    We are continually developing supplementary resources to the AIATSIS Code of Ethics such as templates and topic-specific guides to assist in the practical application of the ethical principles. Further resources and templates will be developed during the implementation of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics.

Last updated: 11 October 2022