Cheri Yavu-Kama-Harathunian and Denise Tomlin from CQU Bundaberg have received praise for their research into best practice in indigenous research.Two Central Queensland University researchers have undertaken a project to identify indigenous research best practice.

CQU Bundaberg's Cheri Yavu-Kama-Harathunian and Denise Tomlin recently presented the ground-breaking paper at the University of Sydney's 'Communities and Change Research Festival' and received overwhelming recognition, support and acceptance by the attending research community.

The paper reflected on ways that incorporate Indigenous ‘ways of knowing' and ‘ways of doing and being' within a proposed Indigenous Research Model based upon a Cultural Philosophical Ethos Theory.

The pair have explored significant methodologies of research and identified and extrapolated those principles and elements that resonate as best practice within a framework of Aboriginal Terms of Reference (ATR).

"We have proposed a Research Model that has fluidity, which incorporates notions of time, and space and the core value of Aboriginal Spirituality," explained Ms Yavu-Kama-Harathunian.

Ms Tomlin said the model respects Indigenous cultures, values, beliefs and interprets the Indigenous authors' worldview using non-Indigenous language, but at the same time, articulates that language with Indigenous meaning and context.

Ms Yavu-Kama-Harathunian is Co-ordinator of the Nulloo Yumbah Learning, Spirituality and Research Centre at CQU Bundaberg. Her research interests include Criminal Justice, Peace Paradigms from an Indigenous Perspective, Aboriginal Spirituality and Aboriginal Law.

Ms Tomlin is a lecturer in Human Resources Management at CQU Bundaberg. Her research interests include Business Management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and Gender issues.