The Kids Research Institute Australia has welcomed the establishment of an expert committee to guide decision-making around Aboriginal health and medical research in Western Australia.
The new committee will advise the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund’s Advisory Council to help ensure programs and initiatives supported by the Fund are best placed to achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal people in WA.
The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Director of First Nations Strategy and Leadership, Associate Professor Glenn Pearson, and The Kids Kimberley Community Engagement Officer Slade Sibosado will join the seven-member committee.
Associate Professor Pearson is a highly-respected expert in Aboriginal health and emotional wellbeing, Aboriginal research methodologies, policy and advocacy. He is also an Associate Professor at The University of Western Australia.
Slade Sibosado is part of the Institute’s Kulunga Aboriginal Unit based in Broome, where he leads The Kids Kimberley’s community engagement and provides crucial guidance to research teams operating in the region.
Aboriginal health is a key focus area of the FHRI Fund, which has awarded more than $80 million in grants for projects designed to improve the health and wellbeing of all West Australians.
The Institute’s Acting Executive Director, Professor Cath Elliott, said the new committee would help to ensure research money is targeted to areas where it can have the most impact.
“One of the best ways to help close the gap in Aboriginal health in WA is through innovative research, like the projects supported by the FHRI fund,” she said.
“It’s really pleasing to see the Government’s commitment to making sure the Fund is targeted to areas of most need, in a collaborative way with leading Aboriginal health workers, consumers, advocates and experts.
“Both Associate Professor Glenn Pearson and Slade Sibosado have an excellent track record of advocacy, community engagement and leadership and will no doubt have a positive influence in shaping the FHRI Fund’s research agenda.”
Read more about the announcement here.
For more information on funding recipients and future funding opportunities, visit the FHRI Fund page.