Supervision of Indigenous research students: considerations for cross-cultural supervisors

Abstract

Essential to Indigenous research students’ development is their preparation to undertake Indigenous research with an appropriate Indigenous approach. Preparing Indigenous students to conduct research with Indigenous communities requires their adequate and proper preparation, although this does not always happen. Getting the research story right is key to better understanding the persistent, complex and multidimensional inequities in the access, use and quality of health services Indigenous peoples face. Successful preparation of Indigenous students is contingent on quality student–supervisor relationships. The literature indicates that Indigenous student supervision undertaken by non-Indigenous supervisors can be hindered. Two vignettes demonstrate problems with cross-cultural supervision of Indigenous research students’ experiences. An examination of cross-cultural supervision practices highlights the need to prepare Indigenous students in Indigenous research methodologies to optimise outcomes to reflect Indigenous peoples’ realities. Following an overview of approaches to undertake research with Indigenous people, strategies to support cross-cultural supervision are suggested.