
Overview
Background
Professor James Ward is a Pitjantjatjara and Narungga man, and a national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. He is currently the Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland. As such he leads a research program focused on urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and an infectious diseases research program and associated issues. Having held various roles in Aboriginal public health policy for both government and non-government organisations, in 2007 he was appointed as the Inaugural Program Head of the Aboriginal Program at the Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales. In 2012 he moved to Alice Springs to become Deputy Director of the Baker Institutes' Aboriginal Health Program, after which he joined the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. James has been awarded funding applications totalling $23M since 2013; including $7.14M as CIA on NHMRC funded grants and has authored 160 publications. He has led national research projects on health services research http://cre-ash.org.au/participating-sites/clinical-hubs/; in health promotion www.youngdeadlyfree.org.au; and methamphetamines https://wecandothis.com.au/ to name a few.
His work has influenced policy and practice significantly contributing to national guidelines, policy and practice. During 2020 he has contributed to the national COVID—19 response nationally through membership of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 Taskforce.
Availability
- Professor James Ward is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales
Works
Search Professor James Ward’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Cascade of testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea inclusive of an annual health check in an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service
Canuto, Condy, Dean, Judith A., Debattista, Joseph, Willis, Jon, Barzi, Federica, Leitch, Jonathan and Ward, James (2025). Cascade of testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea inclusive of an annual health check in an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. Sexual Health, 22 (1), 1. doi: 10.1071/sh24075
2025
Journal Article
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service 2016–2021
Canuto, Condy, Willis, Jon, Debattista, Joseph, Dean, Judith A. and Ward, James (2025). Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service 2016–2021. Sexual Health, 22 (1), 1. doi: 10.1071/sh24053
2025
Journal Article
Long-term 4CMenB Vaccine Effectiveness Against Gonococcal Infection at Four Years Post-Program Implementation: Observational Case-Control Study
Wang, Bing, Giles, Lynne, Andraweera, Prabha, Mcmillan, Mark, Beazley, Rebecca, Sisnowski, Jana, Almond, Sara, Mitchell, Janine, Lally, Noel, Bell, Charlotte, Flood, Louise, Ward, James and Marshall, Helen (2025). Long-term 4CMenB Vaccine Effectiveness Against Gonococcal Infection at Four Years Post-Program Implementation: Observational Case-Control Study. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 12 (1) ofae726. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofae726
2024
Journal Article
Knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and attitudes to and behaviours regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccination: a survey
Spierings, Shea, Oguoma, Victor M., Shakeshaft, Anthony, Walker, Jim, Toombs, Maree and Ward, James S. (2024). Knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and attitudes to and behaviours regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccination: a survey. Medical Journal of Australia, 222 (1), 30-37. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52551
2024
Journal Article
Enablers and barriers to primary health care access for Indigenous adolescents: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA
Harfield, Stephen, Purcell, Tara, Schioldann, Eliza, Ward, James, Pearson, Odette and Azzopardi, Peter (2024). Enablers and barriers to primary health care access for Indigenous adolescents: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA. BMC Health Services Research, 24 (1) 553. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-10796-5
2024
Journal Article
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent model of primary health care
Harfield, Stephen, Azzopardi, Peter, Mishra, Gita D. and Ward, James S. (2024). An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent model of primary health care. Medical Journal of Australia, 221 (10), 512-515. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52484
2024
Other Outputs
Queensland First Nations Peoples Burden of Disease Report 2018
Maurer, Di, Williamson, Daniel, Stanley, Lucy, Suleman, Abdulla, Ward, James, Barzi, Federica, Begum, Tahmina, Oguoma, Victor and Dyson, Edwin (2024). Queensland First Nations Peoples Burden of Disease Report 2018. 3 Brisbane, QLD, Australia: State of Queensland (Queensland Health), 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus exposure and infection among Indigenous and tribal populations: a global systematic review and meta-analysis
Elliott, S., Flynn, E., Mathew, S., Hajarizadeh, B., Martinello, M., Wand, H. and Ward, J. (2024). Prevalence of hepatitis C virus exposure and infection among Indigenous and tribal populations: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health, 233, 65-73. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.04.035
2024
Journal Article
Clinical effectiveness and analytical quality of a national point-of-care testing network for sexually transmitted infections integrated into rural and remote primary care clinics in Australia, 2016–2022: an observational program evaluation
Causer, Louise M., Ward, James (TTANGO2 Collaboration), Smith, Kirsty, Saha, Amit, Andrewartha, Kelly, Wand, Handan, Hengel, Belinda, Badman, Steven G., Tangey, Annie, Matthews, Susan, Mak, Donna, Gunathilake, Manoji, Moore, Elizabeth, Speers, David, Persing, David, Anderson, David, Whiley, David (TTANGO2 Collaboration), Maher, Lisa, Regan, David, Donovan, Basil, Fairley, Christopher, Kaldor, John, Shephard, Mark, Guy, Rebecca and TTANGO2 Collaboration (2024). Clinical effectiveness and analytical quality of a national point-of-care testing network for sexually transmitted infections integrated into rural and remote primary care clinics in Australia, 2016–2022: an observational program evaluation. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 48 101110, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101110
2024
Journal Article
Sexual risk and testing for sexually transmissible infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous young South Australians: results of an online survey
Harfield, Stephen, Elliott, Salenna, Barzi, Federica, Minto, Kiara, Dean, Judith A. and Ward, James (2024). Sexual risk and testing for sexually transmissible infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous young South Australians: results of an online survey. Sexual Health, 21 (4) SH24041, 1-9. doi: 10.1071/sh24041
2024
Journal Article
Special Issue in partnership with the Lowitja Institute: centring Indigenous knowledges
Hughes, Jaquelyne, Kennedy, Michelle, Kong, Kelvin, Mohamed, Janine, Pearson, Odette, Stewart, Paul, Ward, James, Barbour, Virginia and Zuccala, Elizabeth (2024). Special Issue in partnership with the Lowitja Institute: centring Indigenous knowledges. Medical Journal of Australia, 221 (1), 3-4. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52360
2024
Journal Article
‘We know what our communities need’: What the Indigenous health sector reveals about pandemic preparedness in urban Indigenous communities in Australia
Fredericks, Bronwyn, Bradfield, Abraham, Ward, James, Spierings, Shea, McAvoy, Sue, Combo, Troy and Toth-Peter, Agnes (2024). ‘We know what our communities need’: What the Indigenous health sector reveals about pandemic preparedness in urban Indigenous communities in Australia. First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal, 2 100019, 100019. doi: 10.1016/j.fnhli.2024.100019
2024
Journal Article
Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol
Marshall, Helen, Ward, James, Wang, Bing, Andraweera, Prabha, McMillan, Mark, Flood, Louise, Bell, Charlotte, Sisnowski, Jana, Krause, Vicki, Webby, Rosalind, Childs, Emma, Gunathilake, Manoji, Egoroff, Natasha, Leong, Lex, Lawrence, Andrew, Baird, Rob, Freeman, Kevin, Menouhos, Dimitrios, Whiley, David M, Karnon, Jonathan, van Hal, Sebastian and Lahra, Monica M (2024). Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (5) e079144, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079144
2024
Journal Article
Representation of marginalised populations in digital surveillance for notifiable conditions in Australia: a systematic review
Dias-Karunaratne, N., Whop, L., Ward, J., Vujovich-Dunn, C., Amin, J., Dakiniewich, A. and Dyda, A. (2024). Representation of marginalised populations in digital surveillance for notifiable conditions in Australia: a systematic review. Perspectives in Public Health, 144 (3), 162-173. doi: 10.1177/17579139241237101
2024
Journal Article
Indigenous data governance approaches applied in research using routinely collected health data: a scoping review
Engstrom, Teyl, Lobo, Elton H., Watego, Kristie, Nelson, Carmel, Wang, Jinxiang, Wong, Howard, Kim, Sungkyung Linda, Oh, Soo In, Lawley, Michael, Gorse, Alain-Dominique, Ward, James and Sullivan, Clair (2024). Indigenous data governance approaches applied in research using routinely collected health data: a scoping review. npj Digital Medicine, 7 (1) 68, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41746-024-01070-3
2024
Journal Article
Preconception health of Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: a scoping review
Walker, Clara, Begum, Tahmina, Boyle, Jacqueline A., Ward, James and Barzi, Federica (2024). Preconception health of Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 (3) 345, 1-39. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21030345
2024
Journal Article
A web-based application for reducing methamphetamine use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: A wait-list control randomised trial. (Preprint)
Reilly, Rachel, McKetin, Rebecca, Barzi, Federica, Degan, Tayla, Ezard, Nadine, Conigrave, Kate, Butt, Julia, Roe, Yvette, Wand, Handan, Quinn, Brendan, Longbottom, Wade, Treloar, Carla, Dunlop, Adrian and Ward, James (2024). A web-based application for reducing methamphetamine use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: A wait-list control randomised trial. (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research. doi: 10.2196/58341
2024
Journal Article
Reducing Methamphetamine Use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities with the We Can Do This Web-App: Qualitative Evaluation of Acceptability and Feasibility (Preprint)
Sivak, Leda, Reilly, Rachel, Crumpen, Shani, Treloar, Carla, McKetin, Rebecca, Butt, Julia, Roe, Yvette, Ezard, Nadine, Quinn, Brendan, Nagle, Jack, Longbottom, Wade, Warrior, Clifford and Ward, James (2024). Reducing Methamphetamine Use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities with the We Can Do This Web-App: Qualitative Evaluation of Acceptability and Feasibility (Preprint). JMIR Formative Research. doi: 10.2196/58369
2024
Journal Article
Patient and healthcare provider perceptions of acceptability of fingerstick point-of-care hepatitis C testing at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Australia
Lafferty, L., Beadman, M., Ward, J., Flynn, E., Hosseini-Hooshyar, S., Martinello, M. and Treloar, C. (2024). Patient and healthcare provider perceptions of acceptability of fingerstick point-of-care hepatitis C testing at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 125 104335, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104335
2024
Journal Article
Research needed on urban Indigenous health inequalities
Mamun, Abdullah A., Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Leske, Stuart, Stajic, Janet and Ward, James (2024). Research needed on urban Indigenous health inequalities. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 102 (2), 146-148. doi: 10.2471/BLT.23.290868
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor James Ward is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integration and expansion of a sentinel surveillance system to improve infectious disease outcomes for Indigenous Australians: the ATLAS network
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa McHugh, Dr Rani West
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integration and expansion of a sentinel surveillance system to improve infectious disease outcomes for Indigenous Australians: the ATLAS network
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa McHugh, Dr Rani West
-
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
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Dean
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multiple interventions for responding to outbreaks of communicable disease in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Dean
-
Doctor Philosophy
Strengthening primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people living in urban southeast Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gita Mishra
-
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.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Dean
-
Doctor Philosophy
Caring for Country: An examination of the interrelationship between the intergenerational health of First Nations peoples and regenerative environmental practices. How does caring for Country improve health outcomes for Gumbaynggirr waarru-biin and wajaarr (People and Country)?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nina Lansbury
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding fertility and pre-conception health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Federica Barzi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Outcomes in Indigenous Population: A Life Course Approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Abdullah Mamun
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding fertility and pre-conception health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Federica Barzi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multidisciplinary efforts to eliminate sexually transmissible infections in regional and remote Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David McIntyre, Professor Abdullah Mamun
Media
Enquiries
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