2023 RTP - Talking together, walking together: Engaging with Aboriginal communities to develop culturally appropriate physical activity programs

Status: Closed

Applications open: 8/07/2022
Applications close: 18/08/2022

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

A unique and highly rewarding opportunity exists for an exceptional candidate to undertake a PhD in the field of physical activity and health for Aboriginal communities. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with Fair Game New tab (fairgame.org.au) an organisation that has an existing partnership with numerous Aboriginal communities throughout regional and remote Western Australia. The objectives of the project are to work with these selected communities to explore the facilitators and enduring barriers to engaging in health behaviours, and to support the community by building their capacity to engage in physical activity and healthy nutrition. This is likely to reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, build social cohesion and improve mental well-being.  
Aboriginal Australians experience chronic disease at a higher rate and younger age than non- Aboriginal Australians. This contributes markedly to the life expectancy gap of approximately 10 years experienced by Aboriginal Australians. Regular physical activity is critical to reduce the risk of chronic disease, and help to keep people healthy if they already have a chronic condition. Current recommendations are that adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and at least 2 sessions of strength-based activities per week, for health benefit.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (1) found that among Indigenous adults aged 18–64, only 38% met the moderate intensity physical activity guidelines and only 13% met the strength-based activity guidelines. The situation was worse in older Indigenous people, with only 27% of Indigenous adults aged 65 and over meeting physical activity guidelines. Lower levels of physical activity were undertaken by Indigenous women with only 16% meeting the guidelines. For strength-based activities only 10% of Indigenous adults met guidelines, with the proportion similar between males and females.
The reasons underlying the reportedly low levels of physical activity in Indigenous adults are complex, with cultural, socio-economic, and access issues all thought to be be contributing factors. These factors are likely to vary between different communities and it’s also possible that physical activity levels are underreported, at least for some communities. To improve access to and engagement in physical activity, it is imperative to seek guidance from community about their needs and preferences. The project will involve working closely with organisations and communities to develop and implement culturally appropriate physical activity programs and evaluate the benefits they have for physical and mental health. A concurrent objective of the program is to use participation in physical activity and sport as an opportunity to engage participants in messaging around healthy lifestyle more broadly, through clinical yarning and experiential learning (such as providing healthy meals) at the conclusion of physical activity sessions. The PhD candidates work will contribute towards the development of programs that are sustainable in the long term. 
The project will involve a staged process involving the principles of participatory action research and implementation science, and will utilise a strength-based approach, drawing on the success of the Fair Game program. We plan to leverage these successes and existing relationships to develop physical activity and health education programs for the whole community. The first stage will involve consultation across communities in regional and remote locations, where we have established partnerships. This will involve yarning with the community, a culturally appropriate method for sharing information. We will explore the community’s experiences of the Fair Game program, the factors that have made it successful and any suggestions for its improvement. The yarning topics will be extended to explore how the successes of Fair Game, which is predominantly designed for children and young people, can be extended to meet the needs of the wider community, including older members. The second stage will involve working with the community to develop programs to address gaps that have been identified in Stage 1. In the third stage of the project, programs that have been developed through Stages 1 and 2 will be implemented and evaluated. 
Reference: 
(1) AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2018. Physical activity across the life stages. Canberra. 

An Internship opportunity may also be available with this project.

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Health Sciences

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

 

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at $28,854 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

The project will be open to applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal Studies, Health Promotion, Community Health, Exercise Science, Psychology, and Dietetics.  Importantly, the applicant will need to have a sound appreciation of culturally appropriate ways of working and how to engage with Aboriginal communities in a manner that is respectful and maintains a culturally secure environment. We strongly encourage applicants with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage to apply. 

Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form. ahead of the closing date.

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Professor Andrew Maiorana via the EOI form above.

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