The first Aboriginal director of an Indigenous health network space says her appointment came at the right time.
Respected researcher Bep Uink has developed a nation-wide reputation for her commitment to improving health in Indigenous communities.
So perhaps it’s fitting Professor Uink has been named director of Edith Cowan University-based HealthInfoNet, which provides accessible, evidence-based resources on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.
In the organisation’s almost 27-year history, she is the first Aboriginal director and first female to hold the role.
Professor Uink joins from Murdoch University, where she was dean of Indigenous knowledges.
Professor Uink told Business News her appointment signalled a positive shift and represented the right time for an Aboriginal person to be in leadership.
“It just shows that we’re progressing so well in the Aboriginal health space to have qualified Aboriginal researchers who are really proud, like myself, in a holistic way… in health and wellbeing [and] in the way that makes sense to our communities,” she said.
“The organisation HealthInfoNet not only is sharing the best practice with Aboriginal health but is actually really embracing and bringing Aboriginal ways of being into the way that it runs organisation into leadership aspects.
“I think it just shows that we really have progressed in Australia, particularly in the health sector, and it’s the right time.”
Professor Uink is a post-doctoral fellow and senior research fellow at Murdoch University’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre.
Her research has focused on the social-emotional wellbeing of young people impacted by determined disadvantages, and how social systems can support their wellbeing, including higher education.
She also leads the ARC Discovery Indigenous project called Racism and Allyship in Aboriginal Youth Spaces.
Professor Uink said interest in Aboriginal health research was growing, as were funding opportunities, but it was never enough.
“Where we are [currently] is a bit of, not crossroads, but opportunity perhaps, around Aboriginal leadership and data governance,” she said.
“This idea for Aboriginal people is us leading our own research and genuinely owning that research. Being able to have a say in each part of that research, which includes how it is translated and sustained within community and practice, [is] a huge opportunity.
“We have to build infrastructure around that, so both Aboriginal researchers and non-Aboriginal researchers have the appropriate infrastructure to follow protocols around data governance and research governance.
“Likewise, we know that even when knowledge is translated, and even when we have really solid evidence of what works in Aboriginal health, which we are gathering for evidence daily, funding programs are just not sustainable.
“We need to be advocates for our Aboriginal health sectors [and] understand that they are in precarious funding positions.
“We need to understand and really brainstorm some ways where we can advocate for sustainable funding streams.”
The dean of ECU’s Kurongkurl Katitjin Centre for Indigenous Education and Research, Dan McAullay, said it was a milestone to appoint an Aboriginal woman to lead HealthInfoNet.
Professor McAullay said the database was integral for the Kurongkurl centre.
“Bep’s dedication to improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing has made her a respected voice in the field, so her experience and passion will undoubtedly further the impactful work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet,” he said.
“Professor Uink will be the HealthInfoNet’s third director since it was founded by GP Neil Thomson who led for seventeen years before handing over to Professor [Neil] Drew for the past ten years.
“Both have left an amazing legacy.”
Professor Drew said it was a proud passing of the baton to welcome a Noongar woman in the leadership role.
Professor Uink said she was still finding her feet but was excited to join with the perspective of Aboriginal leadership.
“I thank very much the previous directors who have come before me and have shown allyship in the space,” she said.
“HealthInfoNet has such a great legacy and such a reputation. It’s really important for me to respect that and really keep our reputation as being the spot, the meeting place, the best quality Aboriginal health research and practice materials.
“Having that reputation and maintaining that – I’ve got huge shoes to fill in that regard – but also pushing us forward in issues that really affect Aboriginal health research.”
