Mediator Standards Board Awards Annual Research Grant to First Nations Dispute Resolution Research Project.
The Mediator Standards Board has awarded its 2022 Annual Research Grant to a research team investigating ‘The ways in which First Nations approaches to peacebuilding and peacemaking can be recognised in association with the NMAS’.
The grant provides $30,000 of funding to the University of Newcastle (UON) team, whose research will investigate and collate First Nations’ approaches to conflict and conflict management among their communities.
“This project will create precedents for a richer appreciation of and support for First Nation peoples’ ancient and contemporary approaches to conflict and its management.
They are humane ways in which we heal relationships, connect with each other, protect our communities' social and emotional well-being, and support mental health.” said fellow researcher, Ms Bishop, a senior researcher in the successful UON team.
The project will be led by the Dean of Newcastle Law School, Professor Tania Sourdin and include the collaborative efforts of several senior researchers in the dispute resolution field, including Dr Alysoun Boyle, Ms Helen Bishop and Dr Bin Li.
“There are many valuable studies that have expanded our knowledge about our First Nations colleagues' approaches to conflict and the deeply cultural methods they apply to its management among their communities. This will be the first time that we have them all co- located into a database.” said Dr Alysoun Boyle, part of the successful research team.
The research team also see this as an opportunity for First Nations students at the University of Newcastle (UON) to be immersed in an important research project, which ultimately aims to create a knowledge base that will become an invaluable resource to guide future work in this area as well as for the Mediator Standards Board itself.
“The MSB was heartened by the level and diversity of applications for the Annual Research Grant this year. The successful project put forward by the UON team was one that really fitted into the Board’s plans and aspirations for the coming year. It will be of great assistance in our ongoing project to revise and improve the National Approval and Practice Standards particularly as they apply to First Nations. We also consider that it may inform training and CPD offerings and requirements.” said Dr Peter Condliffe, head of the MSB’s research subcommittee.
On the significance of this project, the UON research team noted researching this particular aspect of dispute resolution had been in the pipeline for some time, “since it became clear that current mainstream approaches do not recognise or support the extraordinary depth and diversity of First Nations' approaches and methods.”
As Australia's peak body for Accredited Mediators, the MSB provides up to $50,000 annually towards research which encourages progressive development in the training and accreditation of mediators, and quality mediation services.
About the MSB
The Mediator Standards Board is responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS). Website> https://msb.org.au/about-msb
Media Queries
For further information or comment National Chairperson, Mr Christopher Boyle or Research Subcommittee Chair, Dr Peter Condliffe are available for comment – contact Jenny Watson [email protected] or 03 9005 1903 for enquires.
Release date: 10 Sep, 2022