Professor Dawn Bessarab is a Bard/Yindjibarndi woman with extensive expertise in Aboriginal health, social work, and community-led research methodologies. She is the former Director of the Boola Boola Djinda - Centre for Aboriginal Health & Well Being - Ageing Well Research Team. She is renowned for her work in co-design and participatory action research, particularly in the context of healthy ageing. She led the development of the Good Spirit Good Life assessment tool, a culturally validated instrument designed to measure the quality of life and wellbeing of older Aboriginal people. Her deep understanding of the yarning framework and relationality ensures that research is conducted in a culturally safe and respectful manner, centring Aboriginal voices and values throughout the project.