Newy 87.8 FM – A new project at the Hunter Medical Research Institute is reimagining how to make health research feel safe, familiar and welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Deadly Images, four years in development, was founded by Dr Jennifer Rumbel and Dr Guy Cameron, both Indigenous Research Fellows at HMRI, who arrived in 2022 and recognised that very few young Aboriginal people were engaging with research.
The MRI scanner itself – loud, enclosed and clinical – was identified as part of the problem. Working with members of the Wollotuka Institute from the University of Newcastle, the team developed cultural multimedia content to be played for young participants inside the scanner.
Each two-hour appointment includes a yarn and a cup of tea before the 45-minute scan, with Indigenous Imaging Fellow Lillian Langford supporting young people and their carers throughout. Afterwards, participants are invited behind the console to see their own brain scans.
The Aboriginal term "deadly" means awesome or great, a deliberately positive framing for a project built on consultation and co-design.
"I think it's important to have Indigenous voices in research because the research is already being done on Indigenous people," Dr Cameron says.
Now in its pilot phase, the project's first cohort of participants has come through, with early data and feedback to help shape what comes next. Those interested in taking part, or finding out more, can contact the team.
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