The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases has appointed Mrs Valerie Swift to a newly created Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor position.
Designed to strengthen the Centre’s commitment to Aboriginal Health, this new position will ensure strong cultural governance practices are embedded in all aspects of research.
A proud Menang woman, Val is one of seventeen siblings who all grew up in Jerramungup on Goreng boodya in the Great Southern. She has family connections throughout Noongar boodya and right across to the Goldfields region and the Gnudgu people.
Val has been a key member of the Ear Health team for the past three years and her expertise in research and cultural engagement will now be available for all projects throughout the Centre’s extensive infectious diseases and vaccine research portfolio.
Dr Lea-Ann Kirkham, Co-Director of the Wesfarmers Centre, says Val’s knowledge and insights will prove invaluable.
“Val will play a vital role managing our new Aboriginal Capacity Building Policy and developing further engagement strategies, as well as providing guidance around grass roots project development,” said Dr Kirkham.
“We are very lucky to have Val on board and I have no doubt her support will make a huge difference in ensuring the voices and experiences of Aboriginal families feature prominently across all facets of our work.”