Join us in-person or online for our August event where we'll hear from Darren Clinch, Data Analytics Coordinator at the Indigenous Data Network.

Talk details

Can a digital, geospatially enhanced data ecosystem incorporate Indigenous defined protocols, principles and approaches to achieve data democracy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s?

With the increase of ‘machine learning’ and the increase in popularity of open source applications new opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build skills in these areas has never been more accessible. Digital storytelling with these new technological tools using different visualization objects, sounds and images seems to be a natural step for people that have had to walk in two worlds, and technology can now allow us to combine the ancient with the new.  Combining the deep connection to, and cultural knowledge of, the land with the ability to recreate that in a digitally enhanced virtual representation of that connection presents a unique opportunity for Aboriginal people and communities.   

Darren's research will explore methods and tools available to create digital environments that reflect more intuitively the diverse and culturally unique way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples see connectedness between culture, community, land and how to can be reflected in the use of geometry, metadata, and linked or associated datasets. Using computational processing capabilities of data, analytics and geospatial tools for forming both the components, and the task completion responsibilities, of an ensemble of applications and platforms within a processing cycle to support dynamic data visualization that will create a more culturally evolved experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people interacting with a data driven environment.

Speaker bio

Darren Clinch is currently the Data Analytics Coordinator with the Indigenous Data Network, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne.  His role involves providing digital and geospatial solutions for research work being conducted by the Indigenous Data Network, creation of digital infrastructure for storage, transformation, and translation of datasets that relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  Previously Darren has worked for the Department of Health and Human Services, firstly in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing and lastly in System Intelligence and Analytics providing Business Intelligence and Geospatial Support to the SIA branch.