Nothing for us, without us - A new relationship for greater impact through research.

Nothing for us, without us - A new relationship for greater impact through research.

Nothing for us, without us - A new relationship for greater impact through research. (125657)

Glenn Pearson ¹

Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia

The colonisation of First Nations peoples around the world has deeply affected the potential for research to deliver sustainable, positive, and measurable outcomes. Historically, government policies, often designed under the guise of solving the "problems" of First Nations communities, have instead eroded efforts to ensure equitable access to quality of life.

Despite this legacy, the leadership and voices of First Nations peoples have remained steadfast. By working alongside researchers and institutions, they have forged pathways grounded in respect, purpose, and sustainable pathways that challenge past injustices and offer a collaborative model for the future based on recognition of a common past and a commitment to building a true relationship towards a common future.

In this presentation, we will share insights from our experience at the Kids Research Institute of Australia, highlighting how we are responding to this call. Through committed partnerships and a shared responsibility, we are working to ensure that the health and wellbeing of First Nations children is recognised not as a niche concern, but as everybody’s business.

#LISSSD2025

Authors contributing to this presentation.

Pearson, G

Associate Professor Glenn Pearson is the Director First Nations Strategy and Leadership at the Telethon Kids Institute. A member of the Executive Team his position leads the implementation of the Institute’s Commitment to Aboriginal Children and Families (2020-2023) Statement which drives the integration of Indigenous health across the Institute research program. He brings to this role 15 years of experience in senior positions within the Australian and State Governments in a range of areas including health, education, and child protection. Over his 21 years at the Kids Research Institute Australia, he has established a national profile for his research that includes as a Chief Investigator and member of the Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics (ALIGN) Indigenous Genomics Council. ALIGN is a national consortium, led by the National Indigenous Governance Council at The Kids Research Institute Australia and the Australian National University (ANU), in partnership with a national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, peak bodies and communities, as well as research, clinical, industry and institutional partners from across Australia. His primary area of research is in Strep A/Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and his research program includes the Indigenous Lead in the Australian Strep A Vaccine Alliance (ASAVI). The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI) is an Australian-led global initiative with the goal of reducing the disease burden caused by Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) infection through the development of an effective vaccination program.

Nothing for us, without us - A new relationship for greater impact through research. (125657)

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