BCEC signs MOU with Fitzroy Valley Futures

ContactsMichael Dockery, Principal Research Fellow
Joanne Peckitt, Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator
Published2 February 2017

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Fitzroy Valley Futures, to undertake research that aims to benefit the communities of Fitzroy Valley in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Associate Professor Michael Dockery, BCEC Principal Research Fellow and lead researcher for the collaboration with Fitzroy Valley Futures, said the partnership has the potential to create a wide range of research opportunities.

“I am looking forward to working together with Fitzroy Valley Futures to conduct research that promotes the cultural, social and economic aspirations of Aboriginal communities in Fitzroy Valley,” Associate Professor Dockery said.

“It’s important our research is relevant across this diverse State in terms of both geographical reach and for different cultural groups. While the partnership offers benefits to Curtin researchers, the ultimate aim is to empower Indigenous peoples in the Fitzroy Valley.”

“We hope to achieve this by increasing the capacity of local Indigenous peoples to participate in and control research and policy that impacts upon them. BCEC is privileged to be signing a relationship pathway with Fitzroy Valley Futures, a community-based network that represents the voices of the Indigenous people in the region.”

The signing of the MOU signals a formal commitment on the part of both organisations to build upon a relationship developed over several years of collaboration with Elders and community leaders.

One local Aboriginal Corporation recently contributed to a major project on Aboriginal economic development, and Fitzroy Valley Future’s participation in several further projects is already under negotiation.

Michael’s research interests and activities traverse a range of issues in applied labour economics; including the links between Indigenous cultural identity and socio-economic outcomes.