Ensuring we have diverse and enduring partnerships and networks in Australia and across the world underpinned by culturally competent work practices

Performance criteria topics:

Membership

Collaborations and networks

Communities

Partnerships

Performance measures summary:

Membership: Adding more than 10 new members and conducting approximately 3 member events.

Collaborations and networks: 3 research collaborations; 3 research networks.

Communities: 50 engagements with Indigenous communities.

Partnerships: 5 strategic partnerships and 20 partnership projects.

Source:

Corporate Plan 2020–2024, page 17. PBS 2020-21, page 71.

Result:

1 = fully achieved, very few or no shortcomings

Analysis:

Membership

The target of 10 new members was exceeded. We now have 706 members. This year 22% of members participated in AIATSIS Council elections and 22 members served on AIATSIS advisory committee boards.

Research collaborations and networks

This measure relates to collaborations and networks that are not underpinned by research agreements. The number of collaborations increased by 85% (from 26 to 48), far exceeding the target of 3. The number of formal and informal networks we are involved in that share research, information and good practice grew by an estimated 33%. This year’s results show an increase from the previous year and far exceed the target of 3 networks and 3 collaborations.

Communities

While there was an overall increase in community interactions, some types of interaction were lower than in previous years, reflecting travel restrictions and cancellation of community events. A significantly higher number of sponsored delegates from communities at the AIATSIS Summit reflects rebounds from the cancellation of the Native Title Conference in June 2020 and is comparable with previous years. The number of communities engaged as research partners was boosted by community-led research grants through the Indigenous Research Exchange.

Partnerships

Overall our involvement in partnerships continued to increase. In the 24 months since 2018–19 the number of projects grew by 13% and the number of strategic partnerships by 64%. The targets of 5 strategic partnerships and 20 project partnerships were significantly exceeded, with a total of 18 strategic partnerships and 39 project partnerships currently active.

Performance criterion: AIATSIS membership

Performance measure: Annual increase to the AIATSIS membership

Targets:

Increase by 10 new members

3 members’ events annually

Measure

2020–21 result

New AIATSIS members

23 new members

Members events—total

0

Outcome: The target of 10 new members was exceeded. The target of 3 members’ events was not achieved due to COVID-19 restrictions. Members were invited to join the Australian Aboriginal Studies Journal editorial team (3 members appointed). A membership drive was conducted with a stall at the AIATSIS Summit, and members took advantage of discounts for attendance at the summit. There were 22 members serving on AIATSIS advisory committee boards, and 22% of members participated in elections for Council.

Performance criterion: Research collaborations and networks

Performance measure: Type, number and level of interactions in research collaborations

Target: 3 research collaborations

Measure

2018–19 result

2020–21 result

Change

No. of research collaborations*

New measure

48

N/A

Outcome: This measure captures research collaborations that are not underpinned by research agreements. This year's results exceed the previous years' total of 26 collaborations and far exceeds the target of 3 collaborations.

Performance criterion: Research collaborations and networks*

Performance measure: Number and type of research networks

Target: 3 networks

Measure

2018–19 result

2019–20 result

2020-21 result

Change

Number of networks

New measure

12

16

N/A

Outcome: This measure captures formal and informal networks that share research, information and good practice. It includes networks that AIATSIS convenes as well as those in which we are a member. While there is no base line from 2018-19, this year’s results show an increase from the previous year and far exceed the target of 3.

Performance criterion: Interaction with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Performance measure: Interactions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by type

Target: 50 engagements

Measure

2018–19 result

2019–20 result

2020–21 result

Change

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as project partners

New measure

44

65

45.45%

AIATSIS conference stalls/booths at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community events

New measure

6

7

16.67%

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sponsored delegates at AIATSIS conferences/events

New measure

12

80

566.66%

Community visits by AIATSIS

New measure

11

34

209.09%

Family History Unit workshops

New measure

3

6

100%

Community visits to AIATSIS

New measure

22

44

272.72%

TOTAL

98

234

138.77%

Outcome: The results show an overall increase in community interactions. Some types of interaction were comparatively lower than previous years, reflecting travel restrictions and cancellation of community events over 2020 and 2021. A significantly higher number of sponsored delegates reflects the cancellation of the native title conference in 2020-21 but is consistent with previous years. The number of communities engaged as research partners was given a boost by the awarding of community led research grants through the Indigenous Research Exchange.

Performance criterion: Partnerships in place

Performance measure: Number of partnerships, partnership projects and those formalised through a MoU

Target: 20 partnership projects and 5 strategic partnerships

Measure

2018–19 result

2019–20 result

2020–21 result

Change since 2018-19

Partnership projects*

27

29

39

13.8%

Strategic partnerships^

11

16

18

63.64%

Outcome: AIATSIS entered in to 6 new collaboration or partnership agreements for research projects this year and 14 research grant agreements. 6 projects came to a close and 3 dictionaries were completed. AIATSIS entered into 2 new MoUs this year to establish strategic partnerships with organisations that share our vision. One MoU has expired and 3 new MoUs are in preparation.