Politics of knowledge and policy uptake

This paper explores the intersection of knowledge politics and policy uptake, drawing on over a decade of collaborative work between the authors at the Tangentyere Council Research Hub. The authors, representing different knowledge systems, have developed a practice that respects both political and epistemic dimensions of their work. Drawing on conversation as a knowledge production strategy, the authors reflect on the work of the Hub in relation to the policy processes their research sought to inform. The paper examines the contested reality of life in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, focusing on the political question of whose knowledge counts in policy directed at Aboriginal people. Recognising the enduring sovereignty and knowledge practices of Aboriginal people, the paper charts how the Research Hub came into being and the role it plays in making Aboriginal perspectives visible. Recognising the dominant role Western knowledge systems play in policy processes, the authors seek to understand why Aboriginal voices and perspectives seem to remain sidelined even when made visible. The paper identifies epistemic injustice as a way to understand how Aboriginal knowledge is overlooked in policy processes, using this concept to explain why Western‐derived processes marginalise Indigenous perspectives. The authors argue for the recognition of Aboriginal knowledge as valuable and essential for effective policy development. They call for a shift in how Aboriginal knowledge is positioned within policy‐making, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable approach that acknowledges the impact of colonial processes, but which, importantly, is focused on recognising and strengthening local knowledge traditions.

Points for practitioners

Recognition and respect for Aboriginal knowledge : Aboriginal people maintain sovereignty over their lands and have complex knowledge systems that are often ignored or undervalued by Western frameworks. Recognising and respecting these systems is crucial for effective engagement and policy development.