Participatory action and dual lens research

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea that, in the last few decades, collaborative inquiry methods have evolved along a similar trajectory to dual lens research. Dual lens research, known in various contexts as both ways, two-eyed seeing Old Ways New Ways, and Koodjal Jinnung (looking both ways), is designed to generate new knowledge by exploring a theme through Aboriginal and contemporary western lenses. Participatory action research and a dual lens approach are considered in a number of projects with a particular focus on the issues such work can raise including conceptual challenges posed by fundamental differences between knowledge sets. Design/methodology/approach: The authors hypothesize that a dual lens approach will become a branch of participatory action research, as such, a robust description needs to be developed and its ethical implications are considered. Existing work in this direction, including principles and processes, are collated and discussed. Findings: Dual lens research as a branch of participatory action research is of great significance in countries with Aboriginal populations that are undergoing a cultural renaissance. As dual lens practitioners, the authors are finding their research outputs have a high positive impact on both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations and make a genuine contribution to reconciliation by finding ways of going forward together. Originality/value: This paper joins a growing body of research that supports resonances between Aboriginal and “western” research methods

The Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin Project: Elder and Community Led Resources Strengthen Aboriginal Voice for Skin Health

In partnership with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, the Elder-led co-designed Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin project is guided by principles of reciprocity, capacity building, respect, and community involvement. Through this work, the team of Elders, community members, clinicians and research staff have gained insight into the skin health needs of urban-living Aboriginal koolungar (children); and having identified a lack of targeted and culturally appropriate health literacy and health promotion resources on moorditj (strong) skin, prioritised development of community-created healthy skin resources. Community members self-appointed to Aboriginal Community Advisory Groups (CAG) on Whadjuk (Perth) and Wardandi (Bunbury) boodjar (land/place) provided local leadership and led the development of moorditj skin resources. Over several online and face-to-face meetings facilitated by an Aboriginal project officer, CAG members shared local perspectives and cultural knowledge to develop and inform the messaging, medium, and dissemination of health literacy and health promotion resources for healthy skin. All CAG-created research approaches, resources and materials were presented to the Elder Researchers for discussion, final review, and implementation by the project team. Culturally appropriate moorditj skin resources, designed by community for community, build on knowledge of healthy skin to achieve moorditj skin and moorditj health for urban-living Aboriginal koolungar

Synergies: Walking together: Belonging to country

The Synergies of Meaning project explores the resonances between traditional Nyoongar wisdom and modern natural or social science. The first output is a documentary film, featuring Dr. Noel Nannup and Professor Stephen Hopper, who explore boodja (Nyoongar land) and the capacity of its flora, fauna and human populations to adapt to climate change. The research underpinning this film needed a framework for the coherent expression of two versions of the boodja journey through time. The framework is timelined with content naturally falling into eight ancient eras, from 300 million to 7000 years ago, and three modern eras from 7000 years ago to today. The content of the timeline is generated by simultaneous interrogation of traditional Nyoongar stories and Western scientific knowledge about the land. The Nyoongar version was drawn from Nyoongar boodja creation and other stories. The Western version is generated by a synthesis and distillation of climate history, geology and archaeology. The synergies between the two stories are astounding. Dr Nannup and Professor Hopper walk together sharing Nyoongar and western scientific understandings of landscape processes and biodiversity and explore some of the great correlations between Noongar and western scientific understanding of the age of landscapes, the ‘loss’ of mega fauna, sea level fluctuations and the exceptionally rich biodiversity and how we can adapt to the inevitability of change