NARN
Edit Menu
circle

About NARN

Edit Page

The Northern Australia Research Network (NARN) is a collaborative network of researchers, clinicians, consumers, health managers, health educators, workforce development and policy personnel from northern Australia.

Allied health professionals form the majority of the NARN membership with a range of other members who contribute to delivery of disability, rehabilitation and lifestyle services.

NARN works in partnership with Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), recognising and acknowledging the cultural and diverse needs, beliefs, practices and authority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in northern Australia.

Our aim of is to conduct research to inform delivery of culturally-responsive and safe, disability, rehabilitation and lifestyle services in regional, rural and remote Northern Australia.

 We apply a strength-based approach to research to support:

  • children developing well
  • young people growing up well
  • adults staying strong
  • older people ageing well in place within family and community
 NARN's Purpose

The people of northern Australia experience the highest attainable quality of life, health and wellbeing.

NARN's Purpose

IAHA and NARN work together to:

  • promote large scale improvement in access and quality of allied health services in Northern Australia
  • build an evidence base to foster evidence-informed practice and evidence-informed investment
  • build a new generation of researchers who champion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research leadership
  • strengthen the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through their research leadership
  • promote best practice in ethical research, particularly through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led research.
  • embed Allied Health disciplines in the research space in Northern Australia

NARN Principles

  • Community leadership
  • People-centred services
  • Skilled and responsive workforce
  • Evidence-informed practice
  • Evidence-informed investment

NARN Values

NARN research operates in alignment with the six core values for ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities:

  • Spirit and integrity
  • Cultural continuity
  • Equity
  • Reciprocity
  • Respect
  • Responsibility

In addition, NARN research operates with the following values:

  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Innovation
  • Diversity and inclusiveness

NARN Theoretical Frameworks

IAHA Cultural Responsiveness in Action Framework

Strength-based in which the capacity, skills, knowledge, resources, connections and potential in individuals, families and communities are valued, and culture and traditions are visible and centred

WHO Integrated People-Centred Health Services Framework

Health systems designed around people rather than around diseases.

Health services that are provided in a way that are coordinated around individuals, family and community needs, respects their preferences, and are safe, effective, timely, affordable, and of acceptable quality.

NARN's Key Research Themes

  • Children developing well
  • Young people growing up well
  • Adults staying strong
  • Older people ageing well in place
  • Building a fit-for-purpose allied health workforce

NARN Research Strategies

Connect across northern Australia to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous researchers, service providers and policy-makers

Strengthen research capacity to create a new generation of researchers, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers

Drive high quality research that is culturally-responsive and solution-focused research to generate an evidence base

Translate research into evidence-based practice and policies to enhance outcomes towards health equity

A Commonwealth funded Department of Rural Health
in collaboration with: