How can organisations make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a stronger say over how their data is collected, stored and used? A new paper co-authored by UCRH’s Dr Cas Sedran-Price explores practical ways to put Indigenous Data Sovereignty into action, helping strengthen systems that support both community priorities and Aboriginal health research.
Published in the Data Science Journal, the paper, Indigenous Governance of Data Held by Organisations: How to Operationalise Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles in Australia, responds to growing calls for clear guidance on managing Indigenous data in a way that recognises and respects the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
While Indigenous Data Sovereignty is an idea that has gained momentum in recent years, the paper focuses on a practical question: what does it actually look like inside organisations that hold Indigenous data?
The publication outlines a range of governance approaches that can help organisations move beyond good intentions and embed Indigenous oversight, decision-making and accountability into their existing systems. The goal is to ensure data is used in ways that benefit communities, support self-determination and reflect Indigenous priorities.
The paper also highlights new challenges emerging through technologies such as artificial intelligence, linked data systems and big data. As these tools become more widely used, the authors argue that safeguards are needed to prevent existing biases and inequalities from being carried into new digital environments.
Importantly, the publication shows that Indigenous Data Governance is not just the responsibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. Universities, government agencies, researchers and other institutions that collect or hold Indigenous data all have a role to play.
By providing a practical roadmap for organisations, the paper aims to support stronger Indigenous governance, protect Indigenous knowledge and create data systems that better serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities now and into the future.
