Amplifying the voice of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VET stakeholders using research methodologies: Volume 1

Researchers in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts within Australia are frequently faced with the challenges of working in an intercultural space where channels of communication are garbled with interference created by the complexities of misunderstood worldviews, languages, values and expectations. A concern of many researchers in these contexts is to ensure that the voices of research participants in remote communities are not only accurately represented, but are allowed to transcend the noise of dominant paradigms, policies and practices.

This paper brings together the experiences of five researchers in the space of remote vocational education and training. The authors present three vignettes from research in the context of health, employment and education. These vignettes highlight some of the conundrums for researchers as they attempt to harmonise the aims of research with the expectations of organisations involved. Wrapped around these vignettes, the authors highlight the progressive thinking associated with Indigenist and culturally responsive methodologies, and draw together conclusions that may assist other researchers in their attempts to find ways that support the credibility, integrity and validity of the research process while at the same time doing the same for the voices of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.