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A co-research partnership moving towards commercial development of the Uncha plant from Kuuku I’yu homelands

Tracks
Tully 1
Monday, July 27, 2026
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Speaker

Dr Susan Semple
Senior Research Fellow
Adelaide University

A co-research partnership moving towards commercial development of the Uncha plant from Kuuku I’yu homelands

ISE Congress 2026 Abstract

There is huge potential for Australia’s First Nations Peoples to benefit from the development of their Knowledge Systems including their Knowledges about plants used for foods and medicines. Development of Aboriginal-led plant-based enterprises has potential to provide economic benefits for Communities as well as wider social, cultural, wellbeing and environmental benefits. In 2005, Traditional Custodians of the Kuuku I’yu homelands in Cape York, Qld, Australia represented by Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation initiated a research project to share their Knowledges and Western scientific evidence about their medicinal plants. This included co-research on the traditional uses, medicinal properties, and chemistry of the plant Dodonaea polyandra (Uncha) with researchers from the University of South Australia. The research resulted in shared understandings and discoveries about the anti-inflammatory actions of the Uncha plant, with joint and equal ownership of the project findings between the Aboriginal Corporation and University. Extracts of the plant have further potential for development into products for anti-inflammatory applications including skincare. Any potential commercial development must balance cultural, environmental, social, and economic values for Traditional Custodians as well as rights and responsibilities to Country and ensure adequate Knowledge protection. Another key issue is gaining an understanding of the quantities of Uncha plant materials needed for sustainable product production. We will describe our current multidisciplinary project which is using mixed methodologies to examine the processes needed for potential product development from the Uncha plant driven by members of Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation living on Kuuku I’yu homelands. This includes co-research to examine how the Uncha plant materials could be sustainably managed and harvested on the homelands; determining the quantities of plant materials and processes needed to produce a prototype skin product; and examining the feasibility of a homelands business based on this plant. These will inform the practical next steps towards potential product development.

Biography

Dr Sue Semple is a Senior Research Fellow, University of South Australia with a background in pharmacy and natural products chemistry. Their research explores the health benefits of Australian medicinal and food plants emphasising research which is in partnership with Aboriginal Communities and organisations, and driven by these groups.
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