e-news Issue one, December 2009
Welcome to our first Closing the Gap Clearinghouse e-newsletter. This newsletter aims to keep you up-to-date with additions to the Clearinghouse.
Closing the Gap Clearinghouse goes live!
On 30 October the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse went ‘live’. The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse is a central online source of research and information on what works to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. The Clearinghouse focuses on what works to overcome the problems rather than outlining the nature or extent of the problems.
A key feature of the Clearinghouse is the Quality Assessed Collection which will hold research that has been assessed by experts. These assessments will enable users to understand the type and quality of research they are accessing.
Visit the Clearinghouse website to learn more about the Clearinghouse and Clearinghouse resources—over 4,700 items are now available in the collection.
Online research register
The Clearinghouse will maintain an online register of research and evaluations. The register aims to improve the coordination of Indigenous research by encouraging collaboration and avoiding duplication. It will also help the Clearinghouse keep abreast of emerging policy needs and to identify gaps in research and evaluation evidence.
We encourage you to provide information about research and evaluations that you have currently underway or have completed in the last few years that is relevant to overcoming Indigenous disadvantage. To contribute to the register, download and complete the proforma (28KB RTF) and email it to closingthegap@aihw.gov.au.
Presentations on the Clearinghouse
A presentation on the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse was given to West Australian government staff in Perth on 26 November. Similar presentations will be held in each state and territory and with relevant Commonwealth government departments over the next few months. For information about these presentations, email closingthegap@aihw.gov.au.
Recent events
A Scientific Reference Group provides advice to the Clearinghouse team on technical matters and issues relating to the operations of the Clearinghouse. At their first meeting on 16 September they advised on the annual work plan and Quality Assessment methods.
The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse Board provides strategic direction to the Clearinghouse, and ensures it addresses COAG's priorities for overcoming Indigenous disadvantage. The Hon. Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, has appointed Professor Meredith Edwards AM as chairperson to the Board, and Dr Karen Martin and Dr John Taylor as its academic advisers. The Board has six other members including two Commonwealth representatives, two State/Territory representatives and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australian Institute of Family Studies.
The Board advised on key strategic documents at its inaugural meeting, which was held on 10 November.
Upcoming events
For information about upcoming events, including research, evaluation and policy conferences, browse through the online Events Calendar. Tell us about your events! Email closingthegap@aihw.gov.au.
Mailing list/Clearinghouse news
Keep up to date with the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse! Visit the website and subscribe to email news to receive quarterly newsletters and news feeds to receive automatic updates whenever new content is added.