Indigenous Research Matters: Building Ethical, Community-Engaged Research Pathways and Practices
The 10th Annual Doing Research in Indigenous Communities (DRIC) Conference will be hosted on Nov. 12–13, at ASU’s Hayden Library on the Tempe campus, bringing together students, Tribal leaders, researchers, educators and community partners to explore ethical, community-engaged approaches to Indigenous research.
This year’s attendees will experience an exciting evolution for DRIC. While continuing the conference’s longstanding commitment to Indigenous research, the 2026 program places students at the center of the experience, within a broad circle of mentorship, collaboration and community-engaged learning. Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, mentoring opportunities and community conversations, participants will explore how research can strengthen communities, build relationships and support Indigenous priorities. University faculty, Tribal leaders, researchers, educators and community partners will play a vital role in guiding these conversations, sharing expertise and helping students understand how ethical research is built through relationships, reciprocity and accountability to Indigenous communities.
2026 theme
The conference theme, "Indigenous Research Matters: Building Ethical, Community-Engaged Research Pathways and Practices," reflects a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of scholars, professionals and community leaders. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to participate, recognizing that meaningful research extends beyond any single field and is strengthened through collaboration, reciprocity and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.
Registration
The no-cost conference is open to students, researchers and community members interested in Indigenous research issues and opportunities. Programming is designed to encourage collaboration, dialogue and a call to action.
