Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews and Shannon Foster, Centre for the Advancement of Indigenous Knowledges, University of Technology Sydney

There is a substantial base of national and international research literature exploring the prevalence and impact of racism and bullying across a wide diversity of locations and contexts (e.g., schools, workplace). Whilst there is a research consensus of the need to mitigate the existence of racism and bullying - and to also acknowledge the negative impact of racism and bullying on social, emotional, economic, and physical wellbeing outcomes - there is a critical danger that prevailing essentialism and Eurocentrism has tainted much pre-existing theory and method attempting to understand both the nature and impact of racism and bullying. This may be argued to be particularly evident when considering research and media purporting to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. It is the purpose of this presentation to explore the nature, prevalence, impact, and interrelated understandings of bullying and racism from the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Drawing from the foundations of national and international Indigenous Standpoint Theories and research, a synergy of Indigenous Research Methodologies are engaged with to explore the complexities and distinctiveness of racism and bullying today. More specifically, this presentation weaved together D’harawal Storytelling (Maridyulu Gagamari – the Four Clever Men), Indigenous Yarning, and an Indigenous Quantitative Research Methodology (utilizing the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children) to reveal how the complexities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on bullying and racism should neither be ignored, nor homogenized within broader Western theoretical and research contexts.

Biography: Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews, of the D'harawal nation, is a researcher and lecturer whose outputs are increasingly encapsulating and promoting Aboriginal Australian standpoints and perspectives across a diversity of disciplines (most notably education and psychology). He has managed and led numerous research grants investigating a diversity of topics including, mental health, mentoring, identity, Traditional Knowledges, education, racism, and bullying. His projects have led to the development of a strong foundation in developing robust and diverse research designs, with an increasing dedication to Indigenous Research Methodologies. From this framework, he is continually developing his experience in applying quantitative and qualitative methods within his scholarly work. His research has also attracted a number of national and international awards (including the AARE Betty-Watts Indigenous Researcher award), and he has produced the Healing the Wounds of the Heart documentary focusing on developing resiliency against racism for Aboriginal youth.

Media:https://soundcloud.com/user-763545963/gawain-bodkin-andrews-seminar-sem1...