As we go about our daily lives, an extraordinary amount of data is collected about us—including the things we buy and the places we go, but also data about our health and wellbeing, education, careers, and income.

Governments harness this data to gain insights about us and inform the development of policies, programs and services.

While this can bring numerous benefits – including personalised and more efficient services – how can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lead this process when their data is involved to achieve better outcomes?

Sir Roland Wilson Pat Turner scholar Timothy Holt describes what Distinguished Professor Maggie Walter calls an ‘Indigenous data paradox’:

“In Australia, there is a lot of data about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but there is a ‘data desert’ of the data we want and need; and there is almost no data for or by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

The Department of Finance scholar works at the centre of public administration and has seen the importance of providing high-quality advice to improve Australians' lives.

Tim acknowledges the importance of addressing the problems associated with the Indigenous data paradox. His research focuses on implementing an Indigenous data governance model for the Australian Public Service (APS).

In 2018, the Maiam Nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute convened the inaugural Indigenous Data Sovereignty Summit in Canberra, where attendees developed and agreed on a set of Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles and definitions for Australia.

“Indigenous Data Sovereignty refers to the right of Indigenous peoples to exercise ownership over Indigenous data,” Tim says.

Tim emphasises the vital role of Indigenous data governance and moving towards Indigenous data sovereignty.

Earlier this year, the Australian Government collaborated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners to create the Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data. The framework provides the APS with guidance on how to apply governance of Indigenous data in their respective agencies.

Tim’s research will complement the current framework by exploring how Indigenous data can be harnessed to improve policymaking and socioeconomic outcomes.

“My research will develop an Indigenous data governance model, applying the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles.”

Tim has named the model “Nga’ira gi’yam; niyila,” which in Wakka Wakka and Bidjara translates to “Our Language; Now, today.” The name reflects Tim’s aspiration to elevate Indigenous peoples' voices and participation in government data systems and structures so that they can acquire meaningful data relevant to their specific circumstances.

“We need Indigenous data to form a detailed and thorough understanding of our people, culture, communities, goals and aspirations, and to promote our successes. It's important that we can make decisions that allow us to determine our own future, as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to which Australia is a signatory.

“Indigenous data governance will improve how the APS formulates, implements, and evaluates Indigenous policy. It is also a critical enabler for delivering priority reforms three and four under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“My research will help improve health and socioeconomic outcomes through bespoke community or nation-specific programs and services.”

The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship Pat Turner scholarship is a one-to-three-year, full-pay scholarship for any level of postgraduate study at ANU or Charles Darwin University for high-performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS 4 to SES Band 1 APS employees.

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Image: Adam McGrath/HCreations