Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

08/10/2025

We are currently recruiting for several key roles. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates, as well as from culturally responsive non-Indigenous allies who are passionate about equity and innovation in research. Please feel free to share these opportunities across your networks. Applications close at 11.59PM on 12th October 2025.

1. Research Associate
Part-time (0.2 FTE), 2-year fixed-term, Internal & External applications now open
Join us for one day a week in a Research Associate role and make a lasting impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, while advancing your research career in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Click for further info: https://usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Alice-Springs/Research-Focused-Academic--Targeted-_0139413

2. Research Associates - Aboriginal Health
Two roles, Part-time (0.5 FTE), 2-year fixed-term, Internal & External applications now open
We’re seeking two Research Associates to contribute to impactful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, helping shape culturally safe care and drive real-world change.
Click for further info: https://usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Camperdown-Campus/Research-Focused-Academic--Aboriginal-Health--Targeted-_0139391

3. Senior Research Translation Officer
Part-time (0.5 FTE), 12-month fixed-term
Help translate research into meaningful policy and practice change, making a tangible impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing.
Click for further info: https://usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Camperdown-Campus/Senior-Research-Translation-Officer--Social-and-Emotional-Wellbeing--Targeted-_0139370-2

4. Research Project Officer
Part-time (0.8 FTE), 2-year fixed-term
Support impactful research while developing your skills in project management and collaboration, contributing meaningfully to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Click for further info: https://usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Camperdown-Campus/Research-Project-Officer--Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-Wellbeing--Targeted-_0134225-1

Part-time (0.8 FTE), 2-year fixed-term Research Project Officer opportunity at The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Make a meaningful impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health while developing your skills in research management and collaboration Base Salary $89,755 - $100,495 (pro-rat...

08/10/2025

Join our Journal Club on 13 October between 12-1PM (AEDT), to discuss the publication "Culturally responsive recommendations for eating disorder prevention and management for First Nations peoples in Australia: a policy scoping review". First Nations Australians are more likely to experience an eating disorder (ED) than the general Australian population, however, there is limited evidence on the lived experiences of First Nations people with eating disorder and culturally safe management for it. In this policy scoping review, the authors mapped the current recommendations for managing EDs specific to First Nations peoples and to identify further research opportunities. Lead author Zyana Gall and co-author Hilary Smith will be presenting the work; this will be followed by a discussion/Q&A on the publication. Please note, the session will not be recorded.
Read the publication here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-025-01243-9
Follow the link to register for the event: https://events.humanitix.com/the-poche-centre-for-indigenous-health-journal-club-october-2025

Get tickets on Humanitix - The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Journal Club (October 2025) hosted by The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. Online. Sunday 12th October 2025. Find event information.

11/09/2025

🗓️ Date: 13 October 2025
🕛 Time: 12–1PM AEDT

We’re excited to invite you to a thought-provoking Journal Club session where we’ll be discussing the publication: "Culturally responsive recommendations for eating disorder prevention and management for First Nations peoples in Australia: a policy scoping review."
First Nations Australians are disproportionately affected by eating disorders, yet there’s limited evidence on their lived experiences and culturally safe approaches to care. This review maps current policy recommendations and highlights future research opportunities. Read the publication here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-025-01243-9

🎙️ Presenters:

Zyana Gall (Lead Author)
Hilary Smith (Co-Author)

The session will include a presentation followed by an engaging Q&A discussion. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and contribute to the conversation.

🗓️ Date: 13 October 2025
🕛 Time: 12–1PM AEDT

🔗 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-poche-centre-for-indigenous-health-journal-club-october-2025

Background Evidence suggests First Nations people in Australia may experience a higher burden of eating disorders (EDs) than the broader Australian population. EDs are among the most debilitating and lethal mental health conditions; however, little is known about the unique considerations for First....

05/09/2025

The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is delighted to announce that Dr. Simone Sherriff has been awarded one of the 2025 Indigenous Strategy and Services Project Grant for her initiative titled: “International Indigenous Knowledge Sharing to Develop Australia’s First Indigenous Lactation Training Program". This project will address a critical gap by creating a culturally safe and responsive lactation training program that is community-led and designed and will support building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lactation workforce in Australia. Simone’s project responds directly to calls from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) for research and support to develop training grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. It aims to close the gap in health outcomes by ensuring Aboriginal women, children, and families have access to culturally responsive lactation support. Aligned with the University of Sydney’s One Sydney, Many People (OSMP) strategy, this initiative strengthens partnerships with national and state-based peak bodies and local ACCHOs. It also supports the career development of an Aboriginal early-career researcher and an Aboriginal PhD student, fostering Indigenous leadership in lactation research. Some of the researchers involved on the project are Dr. Claudia Alarcon, Deanna Kalucy, A/Prof. Summer May Finlay, A/Prof. Michelle Kennedy, PhD candidate Georgia Stewart, and Prof. Catherine Chamberlain.
By embedding sustainable, culturally appropriate lactation training within Aboriginal health services, this project represents a timely and impactful step toward reclaiming the lactation space in Australia. Congratulations again, Simone, on this well-deserved recognition and for leading such an important and transformative initiative!

22/08/2025

What matters most in delivering quality health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children?

A recent study, led by Poche Centre Research Fellow Dr. Shingisai Chando, set out to answer this by identifying which service characteristics are most valued by carers and health staff.
📊 Using best–worst scaling surveys, the research team gathered insights from 109 participants- most of whom identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and either worked or used health services at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
🔍 The top characteristics identified for health services delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, by carer and staff were:
1. Shared decision-making – “Treatment options are explained, and the carer is involved in decisions about the child’s care.”
2. Active listening – “Clinical staff ask carers about their concerns and respond to them.”
3. Empowerment – “Clinical staff provide carers with the skills to manage their child’s health at home.”
These findings highlight the central role of communication in culturally safe and effective health care. By prioritising these characteristics, services can better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and improve health outcomes for children.
Read full-text here: https://www.publish.csiro.au/py/Fulltext/PY25048

Background Prioritising the characteristics of health services delivery can guide improvements to the quality of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their carers. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative importance of 20 health services delivery characteristics for....

13/08/2025

Join our Journal Club on 26 August, between 11AM-12PM (AEST). Lead author Dr. Georgia Tongs will be presenting the paper "Climate and environmental crisis: effects on ear and hearing health in Australia and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples". Her co-author Dr Isabella Ludbrook will be sharing learnings from working with linked data in related research. Read the publication here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52689

To register for this event click the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-the-poche-centre-for-indigenous-health-journal-club-hzpexh8l

30/07/2025

Kicking off day 1 of the "Systems Thinking using Group Model Building and Dynamic Modelling" workshop, hosted by the Poche Centre in collaboration with the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition. Our co-facilitators, Andrew Brown and Simone Sherriff, led an engaging and insightful session introducing participants to Group Model Building, Causal Loop Diagrams, and the use of STICKE- a powerful tool for systems mapping and collaborative problem solving.

Looking forward to the rest of the workshop and the rich discussions ahead!

18/07/2025

We're proud to celebrate Poche Centre researcher and PhD candidate Victoria Sinka's groundbreaking work in Indigenous health promotion. As a proud Pitjantjatjara woman, Victoria is passionately engaged in bridging community knowledge and academic rigor to tackle chronic kidney disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her story shines a light on her leadership within the ARDAC Kidney Health Study and her commitment to fostering cross cultural collaboration and wellness. Read more in Sydney Spotlight here:

10/07/2025

🌱Indigenous Youth Perspectives on Chronic Disease Prevention🌱

A systematic review led by Poche Centre researcher Victoria Sinka explored the perspectives of young Indigenous people on chronic disease prevention programs. Findings from 13 qualitative studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA revealed four key themes as being important to Indigenous youth (ages 10–24) in chronic disease prevention:
🔸Safeguarding food sovereignty
🔸 Empowering emerging leaders through transfer of traditional wisdom and knowledge
🔸 Integrating culture into health initiatives
🔸 Addressing challenges such as disengagement

📖 Read the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X2500151X?via%3Dihub

19/06/2025

🌿Lowitja Conference on Kaurna Country 🌿
The Lowitja Conference, held on the beautiful lands of the Kaurna people, has been an inspiring journey for the Poche Centre team. It was truly special hearing from Donnella Mills and Deb Edwards during the opening address. Their powerful words set the tone for a deeply meaningful and transformative few days. Grateful to be part of this space that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, leadership, and knowledge. Stay tuned to hear more from us about the conference.✨

11/06/2025

| Improving Health Checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
A recent evidence mapping review published in Health Research Policy and Systems explores what drives or hinders the implementation of health checks (HCs) aimed at preventing and detecting chronic diseases among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian primary health care (PHC).
🧠 Key Insights:
Barriers to HCs include resource constraints, physical space constraints, cultural insensitivity, and fear of stigma or confidentiality breach.
Enablers include strong clinical leadership, culturally competent staff, community engagement, digital systems (e.g. electronic records), transport provision, and flexible scheduling.
Community voice matters: Trust, cultural safety, and holistic care are essential for meaningful uptake.
Policy recommendations call for better funding, streamlined Medicare processes, and co-designed health promotion initiatives.
Link to full article: https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-025-01325-9

Background Chronic disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. A comprehensive health assessment is available as an annual health check (HC) to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the Medicare Benefits Sc...

06/06/2025

In partnership with the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, we are hosting a 4-day immersive workshop (July 28–31, 2025) focused on systems thinking, group model building (GMB), and systems mapping using STICKE. This workshop is a unique opportunity for those working in health and community sectors to build practical skills while engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on health and wellbeing. It will benefit individuals and teams working on community-based projects, strategy, policy, and systems change. The workshop will be co-facilitated by Dr Andrew Brown and Dr Simone Sherriff. Please see below for further details and to register.