Frequently asked questions
Have Indigenous people been consulted in developing the website?
AIC and AGD have worked closely with Indigenous justice experts on the project's advisory group to develop key aspects of the project. The website was tested with two focus groups with several Indigenous participants.
How is material for the website chosen?
Material on the website is based on an audit carried out in 2005 by Ruth Lawrence, Strategic Research Office at NSW AGD. Working group members continually scan the literature and the internet for additional entries.
In the resources section, key publications have been selected from material held in the JV Barry Library at the Australian Institute of Criminology and the CINCH database.
We will survey listed researchers once a year for updates on their projects, new projects and suggestions for other researchers to contact.
Most importantly, contributors to the discussion forum will let us know when new resources or research centres need to be added.
How can I add material to the website?
The simplest way to add material is to contact us with the details. However, we encourage you to consider joining the discussion forum and contributing new material there.
Can anyone join the forum?
The purpose of the forum is to encourage the sharing of ideas, experience and opinion among people who are working in the field of Indigenous justice to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. This will include Indigenous community members involved in the development or delivery of programs, government and nongovernment policy and program staff whose work has a potential impact on justice outcomes, practitioners working with Indigenous communities, and researchers in relevant fields.
Please read the introductory material in the forum registration section if you are interested in joining.
Who designed the artwork?
The artwork is by Garry Jones, winner of the Art of Place 2000 and National Indigenous Heritage Art Award.
Garry has provided this explanation of his work:
The artwork is a celebration of our connection and rootedness to the land from which we come, and the life force from which we draw our hopes and inspiration. The spiral represents this energy inherent in the world about us and the dotting is the diffusion of that force throughout the land. The snaking yellow line of dots represents the path or journey along which we travel in life and which maintains our connection to our origins, giving us the core of our identity. The hand print is one of the most fundamental and enduring symbols of our Indigeneity, it also represents our capacity as Indigenous people to have power over our circumstances wherever we are.
Who chooses the topics for the research briefs?
Topics for the research briefs have been selected by Attorneys General from a list drawn up by the working group. They focus on issues identified as priorities by jurisdictions, where the need is greatest and/or the available knowledge is likely to support clear recommendations. Future briefs could also cover best practice or promising programs, explaining how and why they are successful. Postings to the discussion forum will be useful in identifying possible future topics.
How can I get hold of material listed in the key publications and evaluations section?
Wherever possible, items in the publications section include a link to an online version of the publication.
If there isn't a link you should ask your library for assistance. You can also try the Libraries Australia catalogue to see where it is held.
I know of this great Indigenous justice resource, but I can't find it in the clearinghouse. How do I get it added?
Inform us about any resources that you think should be included in the resources section by completing the contributor form.
The resource will then be included in the resources section if it is assessed to be suitable for the clearinghouse.
