Anthropology and Environment Society

Volunteered - Oral Presentation Session

Responsible innovation in Indigenous Australian livelihoods

Indigenous Peoples, Development, Innovation

Presenter(s)

• 

  Marcus Barber

  Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Sustainable and diversified social and economic development is a primary objective for Indigenous Australian traditional owners on their customary lands. This paper analyses ongoing Indigenous co-research and responsible innovation initiatives I have led through Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, with Indigenous communities and corporations across northern Australia. The work focuses on key issues for responsible innovation in Indigenous sustainable development: diversifying local Indigenous enterprises and livelihoods; imagining sustainable land use transitions; scoping participation in emerging markets; and identifying the benefits of Indigenous cultural and natural resource management. Novel partnerships between Indigenous communities, research agencies, governments, private industry, and non-government organisations are creating Indigenous-led innovation opportunities on the ground. These can highlight local livelihood success stories; provide the underpinning science to support Indigenous entrepreneurship; empower Indigenous participation in major development initiatives; and identify novel outcomes from natural and cultural resource management. Such research also enhances the profile of Indigenous cultural connections underlying the community wellbeing necessary for successful co-existence. This presentation highlights current successes, key issues, future possibilities, and the analytical consequences of on-country science collaborations with Indigenous Australians.