Ensuring we speak authoritatively, articulate national priorities, arbitrate standards and innovate in ethical, impactful evidence-based research and collection practices

Performance criteria topics:

Code of Ethics

Ethics clearances

Collections protocols and standards Influence in research

Requests for advice

Performance measures summary:

Code of Ethics: Improve its use and influence, with approximately 5,000 downloads and/or references.

Ethics clearances: Maintain approximately 20.

Collections protocols and standards: Increase utilisation of AIATSIS Collections Access and Use Policy, Austlang and thesauri to 600 application and usage events.

Influence in research: 5% more formal research relationships; At least 100 publications or presentations by AIATSIS staff.

Requests for advice: At least 15 requests for advice and input on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

Source:

Corporate Plan 2020–2024, page 16. PBS 2020-21, page 70.

Result:

1 = fully achieved, very few or no shortcomings

Analysis:

Code of Ethics

Statistics for downloads of the Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research were not available for the entire reporting period; however, in the first 10 days after the Code was released in October 2020 (replacing Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS)) it was downloaded 623 times.

Ethics clearances through Research Ethics Committee

Ethics clearances far exceeded the target of 20 – by 500%. At the same time there was a decrease in the number of applications requiring resubmission, which reflects an improvement in the quality of applications received. Changes to procedures, committee membership and number of meetings were made to address the increase in demand for AIATSIS ethics review.

AIATSIS collection protocols and standards

Austlang data was downloaded 1,057 times, far exceeding the target of 600. The decrease from the previous year was expected following a high use rate in the first year of its release.

Research – requests for advice

The number of requests for advice significantly exceeded the target – by 423%. Advice includes general research advice and requests for ethics advice; further requests relating to education specific, language specific and native title specific queries; comment on reports and policy documents; academic peer review; and thesis examination. It also includes requests to participate on advisory committees, boards and review panels.

Research partnerships

The target of 21 partnerships was exceeded. Partnerships grew by 50% and their value by $14.4 million (20.5%).

Research presentations by staff

Presentations were limited by COVID-19 restrictions on travel and gatherings and impacts on the academic sector. Nevertheless, the total number of publications and presentations exceeded the target. Staff presentations were boosted by opportunities at the AIATSIS Summit and engaging on the new Code of Ethics

Performance criterion: Use and influence of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics (formerly GERAIS)

Performance measure: Number of times GERAIS (AIATSIS Code of Ethics) utilised

Target: 5,000 downloads/references

Measure

2019–20 result

2020–21 result

Downloads of GERAIS/Code

7,095

7,540 engagements

2424 downloads (July-December)

Outcome: Data analytics for downloads was unavailable for the full year. Figures for the third and fourth quarters measure online ‘engagements’ with the Code of Ethics and GERAIS. Subject to change in data reportage type, this target has been met. Figures include use of both GERAIS and the new Code. The AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research was released in October 2020 (replacing GERAIS) and in the first 10 days was downloaded 623 times. The Code framework diagram has been licensed for republication 3 times.

Performance criterion: External use of ethics clearances through Research Ethics Committee

Performance measure: Number of ethics clearances annually

Target: 20 annually

Measure

2019–20 result

2020–21 result

Number of ethics clearances for external clients

49

122

Outcome: This target (and previous year results) has been significantly exceeded – 500% more than the target of 20 clearances. A proportion of the increase (14 applications) can be attributed to the research exchange first-round grantees ethics review. This overall increase includes a decrease in the number of applications requiring resubmission, which reflects an improvement in the quality of applications received. Changes to procedures, committee membership and number of meetings were made to address the increase in demand for AIATSIS ethics review.

Performance criterion: Take up of AIATSIS collection protocols and standards

Performance measure: An increase in the utilisation of AIATSIS Collections’ access and use policy, Austlang and Thesauri

Target: 600 application and usage events

Measure

2018–19 result

2019–20 result

2020–21 result

% change

Austlang dataset downloads from data.gov.au

New measure

2,403

1,057

-56

Outcome: The Austlang data set is made freely available through data.gov.au. The Austlang data has been downloaded 1057 times. This far exceeds the target of 600. The decrease from the previous year result was expected following a high use rate in the first year of its release.

Performance criterion: AIATSIS influence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research

Performance measure: Number and type of requests for advice and input on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research

Target: + 15 requests

Measure

2018–19 result

2019–20 result

2020–21 result

Difference

Requests for advice and input on research

Not reported

521

2036

423% increase

Outcome: The result from 2019-20 has been significantly exceeded (423%). The majority of requests are for general research advice and requests for ethics advice. Other further requests relate to: education specific, language specific, and native title specific queries; comments on reports and policy documents; academic peer review; and thesis examination. Also included in this performance measure are requests to participate on advisory committees, boards and review panels. some of the increase can be attributed to improved reporting on requests

Performance criterion: AIATSIS influence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research

Performance measure: Number and value of partnerships measured through formal research relationships

Target: 5% increase in number

Measure:

2018–19 result

2019–20 result

2020-21 result

Change

Number of research partnerships

14

20

53

+33 (165%)

Value of partnerships

$2,407,150

$11,960,748

$19,025584

+59%

Outcome: The target of 21 partnerships was exceeded. Partnerships have more than doubled since the previous year and their value has increased by $7.06 million. The most significant increase in number of partnerships is from the research exchange grants. The Indigenous Research Fund of $10 million is the most significant portion of the current value and is due to expire in 2021-22. Apart from this, there has been an increase in other funding which reflects a growth in research revenue and improved reporting. Partnerships under this performance indicator include those underpinned by a funding or research agreement or research project plan. Partnerships may include more than 2 parties (See Appendix E for a list of partnership projects). Value is calculated on the full life of the project (including multi-year projects)

Performance criterion: AIATSIS influence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research

Performance measures: Number of publications and presentations by staff by type

Target: 100 publications annually

Measure

2019–20 result

2020-21 result

Number of staff publications

26

43

Number of staff presentations

65

70

Total

89

113

Outcome: Presentations by staff were impacted in the first half of the year by COVID-19 restrictions on travel and gatherings and impacts on the academic sector. Nevertheless, total publications and presentations exceeded the target and the outcome for the previous 2 years. Staff presentations at the AIATSIS Summit contributed to the overall result as did project closures and publication of results from multi-year projects. Information and training sessions on the new AIATSIS Code of Ethics also contributed to an upturn in presentations