Projects
Developing a National Indigenous Environmental Research Network

More than 300 people contributed to a nationwide consultation over the past two years to deliver a co-designed case for a National Indigenous Environmental Research Network.

Led by the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Resilient Landscapes Hub, the National Indigenous Environmental Research Network’s (NIERN) vision is to:

• Embed Indigenous knowledges and perspectives to determine the direction and priorities for environmental research
• Establish culturally safe research standards and protocols, and strengthen Indigenous rights and knowledge
• Increase two-way capacity in right-way science and Indigenous-led environmental research.

SGS Economics and Planning supported the project steering committee by developing a research paper that outlined the pros and cons of different governance arrangements, as well as a business case report to explore the logic, costs, and benefits of establishing and operating the network. The business case is confined to Western reporting standards and does not intend, or claim, to capture the full impact of NIERN with respect to its benefit for Indigenous peoples nationwide.

The governance advice and business case outlined a model for establishing a membership-based, Indigenous-led, and owned organisation designed to guide national Indigenous priorities in environmental research and provide support services to connect Indigenous research users and research providers.

Read more about the project here.