The Community Jury for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (Community Jury) is a fundamental component of the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence (SQCOE) research program. Established in 2010 and first convened by Associate Prof. Chelsea Watego, Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman, the Community Jury is the first research jury in Australia.

The development of the Community Jury emerged from the work of health economist Professor Gavin Mooney, and the pioneer of Citizens' Juries in health in Australia. Professor Mooney kindly facilitated our first jury and was an inspiration for our work. He passed in December 2012.

The Community Jury ensures that SQCOE research is ethically sound, culturally appropriate, locally relevant and has real potential to benefit the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. All research projects conducted by and through the SQCOE must be approved by the Community Jury.

The Community Jury comprises of 12-14 local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals who provide essential cultural and community oversight to all research conducted by or through the SQCOE. Meetings are convened three to five times annually and Community Jury review proposed research and monitor ongoing research undertaken by SQCOE and its partners.

Since its first meeting in March 2011, the Community Jury has met a total of 39 meetings, and approved 75 projects.

The Community Jury

• Assesses new health research proposals and reviews whether they are responsive to local priorities and respectful of local community cultural processes and protocols.
• Reviews existing and ongoing health research projects to ensure they remain responsive to these processes.
• Provides advice, support and recommendations to researchers and partnering research institutions.

• Assists in developing broad research guidelines and principles for our service. 

Published paper

• "It puts a human face on the researched" – A qualitative evaluation of an Indigenous health research governance model

More information

Please contact our Research and Education Manager on (07) 3101 4222 for further information about the Community Jury.