Darnett (Palawa), E., Peters (Yarra Yarra and Yorta Yorta), A., & Thielking, M. (2026). Hearing Australian Aboriginal stories to develop recommendations towards improving the psychology discipline: an Indigenous yarning methodological perspective. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801251398575
ABSTRACT

The dominant western scientific methodology and standards are being challenged by a global academic push by Indigenous peoples to preference the use of culturally informed and appropriate Indigenous methodologies to produce collective benefits for communities. This article describes a methodology grounded by an Indigenous research paradigm, embodied through an Indigenous standpoint lens, and underpinned by principles of relationality, reciprocity and reflexivity. Collectively, these elements inform an Indigenous yarning methodology, which fostered a deeper connection with the 23 Aboriginal participants’, as they shared their experiences engaging with mental health and higher education services and systems. Inductive thematic analysis practices were utilised to analyse and synthesise the experiences to address the research questions.