Community-based researchers in evaluation: getting the story right
Channel: Australian Evaluation Society
Date: 2023-12-18

This presentation draws on Robyn Ober and John Guenther 's experiences of working with community-based researchers and evaluations that involve First Nations people in remote communities. The case of a recently completed evaluation with Nawarddeken Academy is used to highlight the important role that local people have in engaging in research and evaluation processes. For those of us who are outsiders, there are important ethical, methodological and funding considerations that we must consider before we embark on any evaluation process. The presentation will highlight the benefits and the challenges associated with community-based evaluations, and open opportunities for discussion.

John Guenther is an evaluator and researcher with 20 years experience working in the Northern Territory. He is a non-indigenous outsider in most of the evaluations he works on. He is currently the research leader for education and training with Batchelor Institute. 

Robyn Ober is a Mamu/Djirribal woman from Far North Queensland. She has worked extensively in Indigenous education for over 30 years and currently works as an Indigenous Research Fellow at Batchelor Institute. Robyn has been and is currently involved in a number of projects on Indigenous education, leadership, language and linguistics including evaluation reviews.

This event was organised by the AES Northern Territory Regional Network.