Our Investigators

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The University of Melbourne‍ | shawanaa@unimelb.edu.au

Professor Shawana Andrews is a Palawa Trawlwoolway/Pairrebenne woman and serves as Director of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Associate Dean Indigenous at the University of Melbourne.

With more than 25 years’ experience in Aboriginal health, she began her career as a clinical social worker before moving into research, policy, and academia. Her PhD examined family violence and cultural practice methodologies. Professor Andrews’ work focuses on Indigenous health leadership, truth-telling, and strengthening post-doctoral pathways for Indigenous scholars. She is a published author in the First Knowledges series, with research spanning health leadership, graduate experiences, mothering practices, family violence, and cultural methodologies.

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University of Technology Sydney | scott.avery@uts.edu.au

Dr Scott Avery is a professor of Indigenous disability health and wellbeing at Girra Maa Indigenous Health, University of Technology Sydney. He is an Aboriginal man from the Worimi people and is profoundly deaf.

Dr Scott is a recognised educator, researcher and policy adviser on Indigenous cultural approaches for the inclusion of people with disability. His publication 'Culture is Inclusion' (2018) has influenced national policy across Closing the Gap, Australia’s Disability Strategy, and the Disability Royal Commission.

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Queensland University of Technology | chelsea.bond@qut.edu.au

Professor Chelsea Watego, a Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman, is Executive Director of QUT’s Carumba Institute. With over 25 years’ experience as a practitioner and researcher, her work critically examines race in health inequalities and pioneers Indigenist Health Humanities.

A prolific writer and public intellectual, Watego is a founding board member of Inala Wangarra, founding Director at the Institute for Collaborative Race Research, and Commissioner for the O’Neill -Lancet Commission on Racism, Structural Discrimination and Global Health . Her acclaimed debut book, Another Day in the Colony, was published in 2021.

Maali

University of Newcastle 
michelle.kennedy11@newcastle.edu.au

Professor Michelle Kennedy is a Wiradjuri woman, Research Advisor at the Lowitja Institute, and an NHMRC Investigator at the University of Newcastle. With more than 20 years of experience, she has worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in community development, social work, and health research.

Professor Kennedy leads nationally recognised research in tobacco control, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research ethics, and Indigenous methodologies. She holds a PhD in Aboriginal Health, a Master of Social Science (Social Work), and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Newcastle, reflecting her strong commitment to advancing Indigenous health and research excellence.

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Australian National University | alex.brown@anu.edu.au

Professor Alex Brown, is a proud Wadi Wadi and Yuin Nation clinician and researcher. He is currently the  Professor of Indigenous Genomics at The Kids Research Institute and The National Centre for Indigenous Genomics at ANU. 

He has led the establishment of a number of Indigenous health research groups including Menzies School of Health Research, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. His work has focused on understanding and overcoming health inequalities, with a particular focus on CVD, Diabetes and cancer. He has led numerous studies in epidemiology, qualitative research, mixed methods health services research, clinical trials and genomic studies in cardiometabolic disease in Indigenous communities. Alex became the first Indigenous scientist appointed to the CSIRO Board in 2023.

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Jawun Research Institute, CQUniversity | jri@cqu.edu.au‍ ‍| y.cadetjames@cqu.edu.au

Prof Yvonne Cadet-James has some 50 years’ experience in the fields of health and education. As an experienced researcher with a strong track record she has played a significant role in Indigenous research reform.

As a Gugu Badhun nation member she is co-director of the Gugu Badhun Djiman Research Centre. Prof Cadet-James supports Indigenous organisations and communities to control their research agenda through education, training and community led development of research strategies, policies and agreements.|

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tomcalma@gmail.com

Professor Tom Calma, an Aboriginal Elder from the Kungarakan and Iwaidja tribal groups, has over 45 years of experience in Indigenous affairs at local, national, and international levels. He worked in the Australian Public Service for 38 years before retiring in 2010 and now serves as a consultant, volunteer, and academic.

Calma sits on numerous boards and committees addressing rural and remote Australia, health, mental health, suicide prevention, education, culture, language, justice reinvestment, reconciliation, research, and economic development. His lifelong commitment has significantly influenced policy and programs supporting Indigenous communities across Australia.

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James Cook University | Karla.Canuto@jcu.edu.au

Professor Karla Canuto is a Torres Strait Islander, descended from the Naghir Tribe of the Kulkalgal Clan with bloodline to Panai, Mabuyag Island. She has over 20 years of experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and research and is dedicated to empowering communities and strengthening the research capacity and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Her research includes her NHMRC Investigator Grant Community led Health Promotion in the Torres Strait (2026–2030), which focuses on improving health and wellbeing through preventative and health promotion strategies. 

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Flinders Universitykootsy.canuto@flinders.edu.au

Kootsy (Justin) Canuto is a Wagadagam man from the Torres Strait – who was born and raised on Yidinji country (Cairns – FNQ). He is also Associate Professor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health and Wellbeing at Flinders University and has an affiliation with James Cook University as Principle Research Fellow, Indigenous Men's Health Promotion.

Through his male health research and innate ability to listen and learn, Kootsy has developed strong, meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, Traditional Owners, leaders of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and community organisations across the country. These relationships are of the upmost importance and will continue to guide all elements of his research and personal development.

Maali

The University of Melbourne‍ ‍cacham@unimelb.edu.au

Professor Catherine Chamberlain, a Trawlwoolway (Palawa) woman from Tasmania, is a midwife and public health researcher with over 30 years of experience in the health sector.

Since completing her PhD in 2015, she has led impactful research to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Her work has influenced national and international guidelines, particularly in smoking cessation during pregnancy and diabetes care.

She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, secured over $40 million in research funding, and received several prestigious awards. She currently leads large-scale perinatal health projects and serves as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of First Nations Health and Wellbeing – The Lowitja Journal and Chief Midwifery Officer for CATSINaM.

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The University of Queensland
h.dantoine@uq.edu.au

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Charles Stuart University   kdoyle@csu.edu.au

Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle, Associate Dean of Indigenous Health at Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine, is a Winninninni/Cadigal/Irish woman and one of the first Indigenous women to graduate from Oxford University. She chairs the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Clinical Academic Group at SPHERE, serves on the Council of Elders for CATSINaM, and is a board member for Ngaramura Aboriginal, Maori and Pacific Islander Corporation.

Her research focuses on education, cultural proficiency, social determinants of health, and Indigenous health. A prolific academic and media spokesperson, she has published extensively, presented internationally, and co-authored book chapters on Indigenous issues.

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The University of Western Australia‍ ‍pat.dudgeon@uwa.edu.au

Professor Pat Dudgeon, a Bardi woman from the Kimberley, is a leading Indigenous psychologist and researcher at the University of Western Australia.

Her work focuses on Indigenous mental health, suicide prevention, and community empowerment, using culturally responsive and multidisciplinary approaches. She has led major national projects, including the landmark ATSISPEP, which laid the foundation for the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. She plays a key role in shaping national mental health policies and frameworks.

Professor Dudgeon also contributes to several influential boards and journals, advocating for culturally informed mental health strategies and Indigenous leadership across all levels of care.

Maali  

The University of Queensland   donisha.duff@student.uq.edu.au

Donisha is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. She is a Wuthathi Traditional Owner from Eastern Cape York and has strong family connections to Badu and Moa Islands.

With more than 25 years of experience in health and Indigenous affairs, Donisha has worked across federal and state governments, universities, non-government organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor with Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research at Edith Cowan University, and serves on several Queensland Government boards, contributing her expertise to Indigenous health, education, and leadership.

Maali

Curtin University
Anne-Marie.Eades@curtin.edu.au 

Dr Anne-Marie Eades is a Noongar woman, registered nurse, public health researcher, and Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Technology Sydney.

With more than 25 years of experience in health, including 19 years dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, she is committed to improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples. Her research focuses on Indigenous methodologies, co-design, culturally safe healthcare, and public health. Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Dr Eades develops family- and community-centred approaches that strengthen health systems, reduce health inequities, and promote lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.

Maali

Monash University Sandra.eades@monash.edu 

Professor Sandra Eades, a Noongar woman from Mount Barker, Western Australia, is Professor of Indigenous Health in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash.

She graduated in medicine in 1990 and, in 2003, became Australia’s first Aboriginal medical doctor to earn a PhD. Her research focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly mothers, infants, and families. Beginning her research career at the Telethon Kids Institute, she has made significant contributions to public health research, policy, and advocacy, earning national recognition for her leadership and achievements.

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Batchelor Institute