Overview
Background
Associate Professor Judith Dean, a Registered Nurse/Midwife with over 25-years clinical and research experience in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV and other BBV, is a Principal Research Fellow at the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. The overall aim of her program of research is to address inequities of access to sexual and reproductive health and rights education and services through innovative models of care and workforce development using mixed methods and longitudinal qualitative community-based participatory approaches.
She is currently working on research evaluating 'Birthing in our Community' models of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families, developing a program of preventative SRHR research including exploring access to culturally safe and responsive pregnancy options and abortion care and is working with community to develop a culturally safe and responsive 'Black and Proud' model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQAI+ Sister Girls and Brother Boys. She is also the Higher Degree Research Program Advisor for UQ Poche.
Before joining UQ Poche Centre in 2023, she was a research fellow at the School of Public Health (2015-2022) and was leading projects exploring innovative models of HIV Self-testing dissemination, access to peer-led Molecular point-of-care STI testing, transgender care, syphilis in pregnancy and access to pregnancy options, abortion and contraception. From 2016 to 2019, she was the co-ordinating investigator on the Queensland PrEP Demonstration Monitoring and Evaluation study. Her other projects and areas of interest include exploring the experiences of newly diagnosed PLHIV including implementation of a Peer Navigation program, access to SRH care for gender and sexually diverse young people and the sexual health literacy of CALD youth in Queensland. She has a strong background working in partnership with refugee and migrant / culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, sex worker organisations, gender and sexually diverse young people, and the LGBTQAI+ community.
During her time at UQSPH, she also taught into the Bachelor of Health Science (PUBH3002 Health Policy in Practice, PUBH3010 Global Health and Infectious Diseases) and the Master of Public Health (PUBH7101 Communicable Diseases Management and Control).
From 2002 to 2013 Judith held a joint appointment between Griffith University School of Nursing and Midwifery where she held the title of Griffith Graduate Sexual Health Program Convenor and Queensland Health where in her role as State Nurse Educator for Queensland Sexual Health and HIV Services she was responsible for state-wide coordination and development of clinical practice standards, policy and professional development programs for specialist advanced practice nurses working in SRH and HIV. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in 2014 titled Sexual health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Queensland Sudanese communities.
Judith has extensive educational and clinical expertise in SRH, HIV, women’s health and midwifery in a diverse range of national and international settings. Before moving into SRH and HIV education and research, she worked clinically as a midwife and SRH Nurse in a range of locations in Australia and overseas. This includes over 5 years working in the Northern Territory as a Midwife and remote area nurse along with two years with International Committee of Red Cross in settings such as South Sudan and Afghanistan developing midwifery training programs and models of care for women and their families experiencing conflict and displacement.
I am available to supervise PhD/MPhil students, Honours and Master of Public Health projects.
Availability
- Associate Professor Judith Dean is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Nursing, University of Southern Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
Research interests
-
Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and other BBV
-
Health and the wellbeing of priority populations and people experiencing marginalisation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being Migrant and refugee health and working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities LGBTIQ+ community Gender and sexually diverse young people,
-
Mixed methods, Qualitative, Community based participatory research
Focus on social determinants of health
-
Community-based participatory research with embedded co-design approaches
Judith works closely with community, service providers and her research partners to make sure her research is community driven and translates directly into practice and service development. She advocates strongly for research that addresses health inequalities and facilitate equitable access to appropriate accessible services for all Queenslanders.
Research impacts
My research is designed in partnership with community to reduce HIV and STI prevalence and addresses health inequalities by facilitating equitable access to appropriate accessible SRH and HIV services for all Queenslanders. Past projects exploring innovative models of HIV Self-testing dissemination and access to peer-led Molecular POC STI testing have been effective in increasing access and uptake of testing for infrequent and never-testers and these MOC are now standardised part of services delivery in the partner organisations. My research into syphilis in pregnancy and access to women-centred termination of pregnancy care is addressing key contemporary areas of policy reform and need and has been widely cited and used to inform policy and clinical guideline change. I have a strong background working with community organisations and key government stakeholders and policy makers to ensure my research is community driven by key partners organisation. My research has had direct service provision and policy impact on the SRH of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, sex workers, gender and sexually diverse young people, and the LGBTIQ+ community.
Works
Search Professor Judith Dean’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Integrated HIV self-testing (HIVST) service delivery in Queensland for policy and service development: study protocol
Bell, Sara Fiona Elisabeth, Dean, Judith Ann, Lemoire, Jime, Debattista, Joseph, Driver, Glen, Gilks, Charles F., Redmond, Andrew and Williams, Owain David (2018). Integrated HIV self-testing (HIVST) service delivery in Queensland for policy and service development: study protocol. AIDS Care, 31 (2), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1516859
2018
Journal Article
Addressing smoking among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey of Australian HIV health practitioners' practices and attitudes
Bell, Stephanie K., Mena, Gabriela, Dean, Judith, Watts, Peter, Howard, Chris, Boyd, Mark, Gilks, Charles and Gartner, Coral (2018). Addressing smoking among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey of Australian HIV health practitioners' practices and attitudes. AIDS Care, 31 (4), 1-7. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1500007
2018
Conference Publication
Evaluation of a Specimen Pooling Method for Molecular Point-Of-Care Detection of Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
Bell, Sara F. E., Badman, Steven G., Dean, Judith A., Lemoire, Jime, Coffey, Luke, Debattista, Joseph, Redmond, Andrew M., Williams, Owain D., Gilks, Charles F. and Whiley, David M. (2018). Evaluation of a Specimen Pooling Method for Molecular Point-Of-Care Detection of Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. IUSTI Asia Pacific Sexual Health Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, 1 - 3 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Online HIV self-testing (HIVST) service in Queensland: users, usage and usability
Bell, Sara F. E., Dean, Judith A., Lemoire, Jime, Debattista, Joseph, Redmond, Andrew M., Gilks, Charles F. and Williams, Owain D. (2018). Online HIV self-testing (HIVST) service in Queensland: users, usage and usability. 2018 Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 24 - 26 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Experiences of Using an Online HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) Dissemination Service in Queensland
Dean, J. A., Bell, Sara F. E., Lemoire, J., Debattista, J., Redmond, Andrew M., Gilks, Charles F. and Williams, Owain D. (2018). Experiences of Using an Online HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) Dissemination Service in Queensland. Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 24 - 26 September 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Vaporised nicotine and tobacco harm reduction for addressing smoking among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey of Australian HIV health practitioners’ attitudes
Bell, Stephanie K., Mena, Gabriela, Dean, Judith, Boyd, Mark, Gilks, Charles and Gartner, Coral (2017). Vaporised nicotine and tobacco harm reduction for addressing smoking among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey of Australian HIV health practitioners’ attitudes. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 177, 67-70. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.023
2017
Journal Article
Tobacco harm reduction with vaporised nicotine (THRiVe): the study protocol of an uncontrolled feasibility study of novel nicotine replacement products among people living with HIV who smoke
Bell, Stephanie, Dean, Judith, Gilks, Charles, Boyd, Mark A., Fitzgerald, Lisa, Mutch, Allyson, Baker, Peter, Neilsen, Graham and Gartner, Coral E. (2017). Tobacco harm reduction with vaporised nicotine (THRiVe): the study protocol of an uncontrolled feasibility study of novel nicotine replacement products among people living with HIV who smoke. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 (7) 799, 799. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14070799
2017
Journal Article
Increasing HIV testing among hard-to-reach groups: examination of RAPID, a community-based testing service in Queensland, Australia
Mutch, Allyson J., Lui, Chi-Wai, Dean, Judith, Mao, Limin, Lemoire, Jime, Debattista, Joseph, Howard, Chris, Whittaker, Andrea and Fitzgerald, Lisa (2017). Increasing HIV testing among hard-to-reach groups: examination of RAPID, a community-based testing service in Queensland, Australia. BMC Health Services Research, 17 (1) 310, 310. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2249-5
2017
Journal Article
HIV testing in men who have sex with men: a follow-up review of the qualitative literature since 2010
Lui, Chi-Wai, Dean, Judith, Mutch, Allyson, Mao, Limin, Debattista, Joseph, Lemoire, Jime, Howard, Chris, Whittaker, Andrea, Hollingdrake, Olivia and Fitzgerald, Lisa (2017). HIV testing in men who have sex with men: a follow-up review of the qualitative literature since 2010. AIDS and Behavior, 22 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s10461-017-1752-3
2017
Journal Article
Sexual health knowledge and behaviour of young Sudanese Queenslanders: a cross-sectional study
Dean, Judith, Mitchell, Marion, Stewart, Donald and Debattista, Joseph (2017). Sexual health knowledge and behaviour of young Sudanese Queenslanders: a cross-sectional study. Sexual Health, 14 (3), 254-260. doi: 10.1071/SH16171
2017
Conference Publication
Health practitioners' attitudes toward tobacco harm reduction approaches for smokers from priority populations with co-morbidities.
Gartner, Coral Elizabeth, Bell, Stephanie Kate, Sharma Ratika, Meurk, Carla, Judith Dean, Charles Gilks and Boyd, Mark (2017). Health practitioners' attitudes toward tobacco harm reduction approaches for smokers from priority populations with co-morbidities.. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting., Florence, Italy, 8-11 March 2017.
2017
Journal Article
Implications of the on-line market for regulation and uptake of HIV self-testing in Australia
Williams, Owain David, Dean, Judith Ann, Harting, Kim, Bath, Kate and Gilks, Charles F. (2017). Implications of the on-line market for regulation and uptake of HIV self-testing in Australia. AIDS Care, 29 (1), 1-6. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1200716
2017
Conference Publication
Australian HIV health practitioners’ delivery of the 5As of smoking cessation: a cross-sectional study
Bell, Stephanie Kate, Mena, Gabriela, Judith Dean, Boyd, Mark and Gartner, Coral Elizabeth (2017). Australian HIV health practitioners’ delivery of the 5As of smoking cessation: a cross-sectional study. 15th World Congress on Public Health, Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia, 3-7 April 2017.
2016
Journal Article
Intergenerational variation in sexual health attitudes and beliefs in Sudanese refugee communities
Dean, Judith, Mitchell, Marion, Stewart, Donald and Debattista, Joseph (2016). Intergenerational variation in sexual health attitudes and beliefs in Sudanese refugee communities. Culture Health and Sexuality, 19 (1), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2016.1184316
2016
Conference Publication
Addressing smoking in routine health care of people living with HIV (PLHIV): the practices and attitudes of Australian health care providers
Bell, Stephanie, Boyd, Mark, Gilks, Charles, Dean, Judith and Gartner, Coral (2016). Addressing smoking in routine health care of people living with HIV (PLHIV): the practices and attitudes of Australian health care providers. Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference 2016, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 16-18 November 2016.
2015
Conference Publication
Young Queensland Sudanese’s sexual health and behaviours may place them at risk – Culturally informed sexuality education is needed.
Dean, J, Mitchell, M, Debattista, J, Stewart, D and Wollin, J (2015). Young Queensland Sudanese’s sexual health and behaviours may place them at risk – Culturally informed sexuality education is needed.. STI & HIV World Congress 2015, Brisbane, Australia, 13 - 16 September, 2015. London, United Kingdom: B M J Group. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052270.217
2014
Journal Article
The evolution of HIV education for nurses in Australia
Dean, Judith, Staunton, Shaun, Lambert, Stephen, Batch, Mary, Fitzgerald, Warren and Leamy, Joanne (2014). The evolution of HIV education for nurses in Australia. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 25 (5), 458-464. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2013.07.007
2013
Journal Article
Sexual risk taking in a community sample of international backpackers visiting Brisbane, Australia
Fischer, Jane A., Debattista, Joseph, Rostami, Soulmaz, Peet, Anthony R., Dean, Judith A., Allen, Kate E. and Stewart, Mary (2013). Sexual risk taking in a community sample of international backpackers visiting Brisbane, Australia. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, OnlineFirst (2), 1-10. doi: 10.1177/1010539513483822
2012
Journal Article
Hidden yet visible: methodological challenges researching sexual health in Sudanese refugee communities
Dean, Judith Ann, Wollin, Judy, Stewart, Donald, Debattista, Joseph and Mitchell, Marion (2012). Hidden yet visible: methodological challenges researching sexual health in Sudanese refugee communities. Culture Health and Sexuality, 14 (8), 911-924. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2012.709639
2012
Journal Article
Hepatitis B Knowledge, Testing, and Vaccination Among Chinese and Vietnamese Adults in Australia
Vu, Lan H., Gu, Zhihing, Walton, Jodie, Peet, Anthony, Dean, Judith Ann, Dunne, Michael P. and Debattista, Joseph (2012). Hepatitis B Knowledge, Testing, and Vaccination Among Chinese and Vietnamese Adults in Australia. Asia - Pacific Journal of Public Health, 24 (2), 374-384. doi: 10.1177/1010539510390205
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Judith Dean is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Healthy Mums & Bubs: Ensuring best start to life for First Nations families through feasible, effective and sustainable First Nations-directed maternity & family support services
This research project is aligned with a Category 1 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) research grant – being led by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH). It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and Indigenous health service providers, including First Nations leaders, organisations, and Communities, and to contribute to projects of national and international significance.
Birthing in Our Community (BiOC) is an Indigenous-led maternity service designed and implemented in South Brisbane (QLD, Australia) from 2013. BiOC provides continuity of care from a midwife and Indigenous Family Support Worker, who engage wrap-around family support, allied health, and medical specialists, as required. An initial evaluation of BiOC published in the Lancet Global Health (2021), showed a significant reduction in preterm births (between 43% and 50%), an increase in healthy weight babies, more antenatal visits and an increase in exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge.
IUIH is now expanding BiOC into new communities and has partnered with the UQ Poche Centre to collaboratively evaluate the established BiOC program and BiOC expansion. Overall, we will assess acceptability and clinical outcomes, and compare feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and cost effectiveness across 3 sites. This PhD research project will be part of the larger mixed methods evaluation study and will focus on the experiences of BiOC mums and families, and the service providers, staff and health services managers involved in delivering the BiOC services.
As our research is community-led and community-based, we respect and prioritise First Nations research approaches and ways of Knowing, Being and Doing. The evidence resulting from this research will ultimately support continued expansion of IUIH’s BiOC program and implementation in additional urban settings, while contributing to policy, systems, and practice changes to ensure quality care and the best possible start to life for First Nations families.
Working knowledge area that would be of benefit to someone working on the project:
A working knowledge of one or more of the following areas would be of benefit to someone working on this project:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
- Indigenist and/or qualitative research approaches
- The Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector
- Maternal and/or infant healthcare and/or an area relevant to family support (esp. with First Nations families)
- Maternity services (esp. primary care)
- Public health
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
HIV prevention knowledge, attitudes and practices among Australian youth and young adults: establishing a potential need for PrEP access for those under 18 years of age
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald, Dr Amalie Dyda
-
Doctor Philosophy
Co-designing an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to better meet the needs of Aboriginal young people in Western Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploration and evaluation of Sexual and Reproductive Health service uptake for refugee and migrant women in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Heena Akbar, Associate Professor Yibeltal Alemu
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital, Self-guided, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Programs for LGBTQIA+ Individuals: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Efficacy, Acceptability, and Design Considerations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Buckley
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital, Self-guided, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Programs for LGBTQA+ Individuals: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Buckley
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital, Self-guided, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Programs for LGBTQA+ Individuals: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Buckley
-
Doctor Philosophy
HIV prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices among young Queenslanders: Informing PrEP Access for `at risk¿ youth
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald, Dr Amalie Dyda
-
Doctor Philosophy
Newly Arrived Asian-born Gay Men in Queensland, Australia: A Decolonial Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Health Literacy as Social Practices Embedded within Migrant Networks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Allyson Mutch, Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
Doctor Philosophy
Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Africa - Prevalence, Associated Country-level Variables, and Assessment of Country TB Guidelines and National Strategic Plans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor David Harley, Associate Professor Adam Irwin, Professor Clare Nourse
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multiple interventions for responding to outbreaks of communicable disease in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Ward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Older women in the oldest profession: An exploration of the careers and work experiences of cisgender women 50 years and older engaged in sex work in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing risk of importation of sexually transmitted infections into Australia by international travellers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Associate Professor Luis Furuya Kanamori
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multiple interventions for responding to outbreaks of communicable disease in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Ward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Role of Aboriginal Traditional Healings in Modern Day Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hayley Williams, Professor Roxanne Bainbridge
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring how to strengthen a nation and build community agency post-mining transition in order to promote positive social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities over the life course.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Ward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Deadly Fit Mums: yarning about health and wellbeing of mums and their families.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler, Associate Professor Federica Barzi
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Burden of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Africa
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor David Harley, Associate Professor Adam Irwin, Professor Clare Nourse
-
Doctor Philosophy
The utility of the Annual Health Check (MBS item 715) for STI testing within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Ward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Analysis of the epidemiology of and the response to HIV/AIDS in South Sudan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Yibeltal Alemu
-
Doctor Philosophy
Examining the Complexities of the Community Networks Limiting the Uptake of Biosimilar Medications in the Australian Healthcare System
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lisa Hall
-
Doctor Philosophy
Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Africa - Prevalence, Associated Country-level Variables, and Assessment of Country TB Guidelines and National Strategic Plans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor David Harley, Associate Professor Adam Irwin, Professor Clare Nourse
-
Doctor Philosophy
Deadly Fit Mums: yarning about health and wellbeing of mums and their families.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler, Associate Professor Federica Barzi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Newly Arrived Asian-born Gay Men in Queensland, Australia: A Decolonial Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Health Literacy as Social Practices Embedded within Migrant Networks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Allyson Mutch, Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Digital, Self-guided, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Programs for LGBTQA+ Individuals: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Buckley
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Newly Arrived Asian-born Gay Men in Queensland, Australia: A Decolonial Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Health Literacy as Social Practices Embedded within Migrant Networks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Allyson Mutch, Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Older women in the oldest profession: An exploration of the careers and work experiences of cisgender women 50 years and older engaged in sex work in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Health perspectives of South Asian immigrant women regarding screening for cervical cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Monika Janda
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Deployment health and survey research: insights from Australian troops' open-ended survey data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Katrina Moss, Dr Michael Waller
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
The sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV in Banten Province Indonesia: Integrating qualitative and quantitative methods
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Social Support Networks of People Recently Diagnosed with HIV in Queensland: A Qualitative Exploration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Allyson Mutch, Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the role of vaporised nicotine as a harm reduction approach amongst people living with HIV who smoke
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Baker, Professor Coral Gartner
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Associate Professor Judith Dean's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: