Jawun Research Institute

Contributing to First Nations Self-Determination through Research.

Jawun is a Dyirbal word, used by the Jirrbal people of North Queensland, meaning a bi-cornial woven dillybag or basket.

A Jawun represents knowledge held, reclaimed, expanded and passed down through time from generation to generation. Similarly, research staff, affiliated members, and higher degree research students of the Jawun Research Institute weave, carry and translate knowledge to support the self determination of First Nations Australians.

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First established in 2017, initially as the ‘Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research’ (CIHER) followed by the ‘Jawun Research Centre’, the Jawun Research Institute was officially launched in 2025. The Institute is dedicated to realising Indigenous prosperity, social and economic inclusion and cultural continuity. Social justice principles that underpin Jawun Research Institute’s management include:
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  • Indigenous sovereignty
  • Engagement
  • Leadership
  • Priority setting
  • Nation building  
The Institute collaborates extensively both nationally and internationally across disciplines, Indigenous research institutions and networks, communities, services and government departments to collaboratively meet the priorities of local and international Indigenous communities. We conduct high impact applied research, driven by First Nations people, to support First Nations communities and organisations to improve community wellbeing through Indigenous self-determination.
Poem from Jawun strategic planning day – an Invocation
Is to contribute to First Nations People’s self-determination through research governed by practices that value, respect, and celebrate cultural knowledge.
Our Purpose is to meet community priorities in health, well-being and the preservation of culture through social justice principles of Indigenous sovereignty, engagement and leadership.
The Jawun Research Institute has six clusters, the names of which are from the Dyirbal language. We use these words with permission from Dyrrbal knowledge holders.

Jingay

Health service implementation science. Meaning in the Dyirbal language 'telling each other something important'.

Guwal

Language and Culture. Meaning in the Dyirbal language 'everyday Dyirbal language'.

Guyji

Living Sovereignty: Creating Spaces for Self-Determination, Sovereignty and Sustainability. Meaning in the Dyirbal language ‘determined to do a certain thing’.

Yungura

Collaborative research for nation-building and systems reform. Meaning in the Dyirbal language 'being one and working together'

Wabu

First Nations biodiversity and application. Meaning in the Dyirbal language ‘scrub - thick impenetrable vegetation, interlaced with vines and undergrowth’.

Jumbal

First Nations Self-Determination in and Through Education. Meaning in the Dyirbal language 'showing something by holding it up.'

A core engagement activity of Jawun Research Institute is our Jawun Seminar Series, established in 2021, that attracts a wide variety of scholars and community representatives both nationally and internationally. At present, Jawun Research Institute is the hub for three interrelated workshop and seminar series, within the multidisciplinary forum 'Communication, health, and social and cultural well-being'. Each deals with various facets of First Nations research methods, practices and ethics, through establishing new partnerships, expanding the existing ones, and enhancing collaboration world-wide.

The Jawun Research Institute is located on the lands of Traditional Custodians, primarily of the lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Yirrkanydji people of Cairns, Bindal and Wulgurukaba people of Townsville, Darambal people of Rockhampton, Yuwibara people of Mackay, and Turbal, Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people of Brisbane. We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of these and other lands on which we work and learn. We pay respect to the First Nations Peoples and their Elders past and present for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of First Nations Australians, we acknowledge the important role of emerging leaders as the next generations will continue this legacy. Jawun Research Institute acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Jirrbal Nation of North Queensland who have given permission for the use of Dyirbal language words for naming of the Institute and Research Clusters.

The Institute works collaboratively in partnership with community organisations, adhering to cultural protocols and ethics of place. We collectively support the visions and priorities of the community partners we work with in health, well-being and preservation of culture through applying social justice principles of Indigenous sovereignty, engagement and leadership.

Explore More

The Jawun Team

Meet the experts behind the research at Jawun Research Institute.

The Jawun Research Students

Learn more about the students doing research with the Jawun Research Institute.

Our Annual Report

Read about the research conducted by the Jawun Research Institute during 2024–2025.

Contact Us

Jawun Research Institute

Director Yvonne Cadet-James
Phone: +61 7 4037 5943
Email: [email protected]

For all enquiries regarding the Jawun Research Institute, please email: [email protected]