A recent trip to Northern Thailand has seen UCRH’s Dr Cassandra Sedran-Price and Associate Professor Veronica Matthews, as well as Jagun Alliance’s Oliver Costello and researcher Pattheera Somboonsin (University of Canberra) take part in an Indigenous-led knowledge exchange focused on climate adaptation, community wellbeing and environmental stewardship.
The project, funded through a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade First Nations Partnership Grant, also contributes to ongoing Aboriginal health research by exploring the links between environmental health, air quality and community resilience. It is being delivered in partnership with the Research Institute for Health Sciences at Chiang Mai University.
Over nine days, the researchers travelled through Hmong and Karen communities in Northern Thailand alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and partners from Australia. Together, they shared experiences and learned from community-led approaches to caring for Country, fire management, forest stewardship and responding to environmental challenges.
The visit included meetings with researchers from Chiang Mai University, discussions about air quality and wildfire research, and time spent with community leaders, fire rangers and local families. The group also took part in cultural activities, visited community-led conservation projects and learned about traditional practices that continue to shape everyday life.
For Dr Sedran-Price, one of the most important aspects of the exchange was the opportunity to learn alongside communities rather than simply share information.
“What makes this exchange so meaningful is the reciprocity at its heart, not knowledge transfer in one direction, but genuine shared learning between First Nations peoples across the Indo-Pacific,” she said.
The project brings together Indigenous knowledge systems and scientific knowledge in ways that are practical, community-focused and grounded in mutual respect. It also supports stronger partnerships between First Nations communities across the Indo-Pacific and highlights the role of cultural diplomacy in addressing shared environmental and health challenges.
The Australian phase of the exchange will take place later this year, continuing the shared learning and collaboration developed during the Thailand visit.
