Associate Professor Steve Bell
Associate Professor

Steve Bell

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Background

A/Prof Steve Bell is a senior social scientist at the Burnet Institute and has 22 years’ experience across South-East Asia (India, Nepal), Africa (Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and Western Pacific (Australia, Indonesia, PNG, Fiji) Regions. He works respectfully with not-for-profits, public institutions, businesses and community organisations, using innovative, inclusive, people-centred approaches to identify sustainable solutions to critical health challenges and accelerate health equity.

Steve’s work brings together lived experience, socio-ecological systems thinking and social theory to understand what works (or not) in global health and social development. He has researched and published widely on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, neglected tropical diseases, TB and Indigenous health. He is particularly interested in understanding the socio-structural determinants of health and social inequities, and injustices associated with marginalisation due to gender, sexuality, age and geography. He has also published two books on interpretive and community-led approaches in research, design, monitoring and evaluation: ‘Peer research in health and social development: international perspectives on participatory research’ (2021), and ‘Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: interpretive and ethnographic perspectives’ (2016). He is currently taking on new PhD students in these areas, so please do reach out to him at the Burnet Institute for a chat!

He holds associate professorial appointments at UNSW Sydney and The University of Queensland, is a Member of the International Editorial Board at Culture, Health & Sexuality, has been a Senior Advisor to the Boston Consulting Group, and has worked in research and consultancy roles with international governments, NGOs, UNAIDS, UNFPA and WHO.

Availability

Associate Professor Steve Bell is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Anthropology Anthropology not elsewhere classified Applied sociology, program evaluation and social impact assessment Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Development studies Gender studies Gender studies not elsewhere classified Health Sciences Health and community services Health equity Health geography Health promotion Health services and systems Health services and systems not elsewhere classified Health systems Human Society Human geography Implementation science and evaluation Indigenous Studies Intersectional studies Other Indigenous data, methodologies and global Indigenous studies Pacific Peoples health and wellbeing Pacific Peoples society and community Public health Public health not elsewhere classified Rural and remote health services Social change Social determinants of health Social geography Social program evaluation Social theory Social work Sociological methodology and research methods Sociology Sociology of gender Sociology of health Sociology of inequalities

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Human Geography, University of Leeds
  • Masters (Coursework) of Sustainable Development, unknown
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Social Science (Health Practice), Royal Holloway University of London

Research interests

  • Socio-structural determinants of health and wellbeing

    Critical qualitative enquiry; lived experiences research; operation of determinants of health; production of health inequities

  • Community action, activism and resistance for social justice and health equity

    Community-based participatory research; working with community researchers; understanding operations of power; social change; role of community organisations and collectives; theorising agency

  • Sexual, reproductive and maternal health of young people

    Youth-led co-design of services, programs and policies; qualitative research design; health and social risks; agency and action; sex-positive and rights-based approaches

  • Community-based HIV research with key populations

    Individual and collective agency; forms of solidarity and action; concepts of agency, vulnerability and social practice; community-led innovation in HIV testing, treatment and care

  • Innovation in qualitative, participatory and ethnographic research

    Community-led research; working with community researchers; longitudinal research design; photovoice; peer research; participatory video

Search Professor Steve Bell’s works on UQ eSpace

126 works between 2005 and 2024
All (126) Journal Article (57) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (32) Book (2) Other Outputs (29)

21 - 40 of 126 works

2021

Journal Article

Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia

Whitford, Kate, Mitchell, Elke, Lazuardi, Elan, Rowe, Emily, Tasya, Irma Anintya, Wirawan, Dewa N, Wisaksana, Rudi, Subronto, Yanri W, Prameswari, Hellen D, Kaldor, John M and Bell, Stephen (2021). Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia. Sexual Health, 18 (1), 122-122. doi: 10.1071/sh20085_co

Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia

2021

Journal Article

Interface between biomedical and traditional systems of treatment and care among hiv positive fisher folk in two fishing communities on lake victoria, Uganda

Tumwine, Christopher, Aggleton, Peter and Bell, Stephen (2021). Interface between biomedical and traditional systems of treatment and care among hiv positive fisher folk in two fishing communities on lake victoria, Uganda. African Health Sciences, 21 (3), 1040-1047. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v21i3.11

Interface between biomedical and traditional systems of treatment and care among hiv positive fisher folk in two fishing communities on lake victoria, Uganda

2021

Journal Article

A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia

Whitford, Kate, Mitchell, Elke, Lazuardi, Elan, Rowe, Emily, Anintya, Irma Tasya, Wirawan, Dewa N., Wisaksana, Rudi, Subronto, Yanri W., Prameswari, Hellen D., Kaldor, John M. and Bell, Stephen (2021). A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia. Sexual Health, 18 (1), 77-83. doi: 10.1071/sh20085

A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia

2021

Journal Article

Working with Aboriginal young people in sexual health research: a peer research methodology in remote Australia

Bell, Stephen, Aggleton, Peter, Lockyer, Andrew, Ferguson, Tellisa, Murray, Walbira, Silver, Bronwyn, Kaldor, John, Maher, Lisa and Ward, James (2021). Working with Aboriginal young people in sexual health research: a peer research methodology in remote Australia. Qualitative Health Research, 31 (1) ARTN 1049732320961348, 16-28. doi: 10.1177/1049732320961348

Working with Aboriginal young people in sexual health research: a peer research methodology in remote Australia

2020

Journal Article

Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: a qualitative study

Mitchell, Elke, Bell, Stephen, Thean, Li Jun, Sahukhan, Aalisha, Kama, Mike, Koroivueti, Aminiasi, Kaldor, John, Steer, Andrew and Romani, Lucia (2020). Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: a qualitative study. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (12) ARTN e0008825, e0008825. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008825

Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: a qualitative study

2020

Journal Article

Increasing HIV treatment access, uptake and use among men who have sex with men in urban Indonesia: evidence from a qualitative study in three cities

Lazuardi, Elan, Newman, Christy E., Anintya, Irma, Rowe, Emily, Wirawan, Dewa N., Wisaksana, Rudi, Subronto, Yanri W., Kusmayanti, Nur Aini, Iskandar, Shelly, Kaldor, John and Bell, Stephen (2020). Increasing HIV treatment access, uptake and use among men who have sex with men in urban Indonesia: evidence from a qualitative study in three cities. Health Policy and Planning, 35 (1), 16-25. doi: 10.1093/heapol/czz128

Increasing HIV treatment access, uptake and use among men who have sex with men in urban Indonesia: evidence from a qualitative study in three cities

2020

Journal Article

Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia

Bell, Stephen, Ward, James, Aggleton, Peter, Murray, Walbira, Silver, Bronwyn, Lockyer, Andrew, Ferguson, Tellisa, Fairley, Christopher K., Whiley, David, Ryder, Nathan, Donovan, Basil, Guy, Rebecca, Kaldor, John and Maher, Lisa (2020). Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia. Sexual Health, 17 (4), 303-310. doi: 10.1071/SH19204

Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia

2020

Journal Article

How male sex workers and their clients shifted from reluctance about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis to advocating for its use: a longitudinal mixed methods study

MacGibbon, James, Minichiello, Victor, Prestage, Garrett, Bell, Stephen, Cox, Cameron, Donovan, Basil and Callander, Denton (2020). How male sex workers and their clients shifted from reluctance about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis to advocating for its use: a longitudinal mixed methods study. AIDS and Behavior, 24 (3), 782-790. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02618-1

How male sex workers and their clients shifted from reluctance about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis to advocating for its use: a longitudinal mixed methods study

2020

Journal Article

Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV prevention in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration of diverse configurations

Persson, Asha, Kelly-Hanku, Angela, Mek, Agnes, Mitchell, Elke, Nake Trumb, Richard, Worth, Heather and Bell, Stephen (2020). Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV prevention in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration of diverse configurations. The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 21 (3), 248-263. doi: 10.1080/14442213.2020.1758202

Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV prevention in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration of diverse configurations

2020

Journal Article

Young Aboriginal people's engagement with STI testing in the Northern Territory, Australia

Bell, Stephen, Aggleton, Peter, Ward, James, Murray, Walbira, Silver, Bronwyn, Lockyer, Andrew, Ferguson, Tellisa, Fairley, Christopher K., Whiley, David, Ryder, Nathan, Donovan, Basil, Guy, Rebecca, Kaldor, John and Maher, Lisa (2020). Young Aboriginal people's engagement with STI testing in the Northern Territory, Australia. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 459, 459. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-08565-0

Young Aboriginal people's engagement with STI testing in the Northern Territory, Australia

2020

Other Outputs

Rapid qualitative assessment of COVID-19 health needs in urban Sydney Aboriginal communities: report 1

Blaxland, M, Bryant, J, Gardner, K, Beadman, M, Bolt, R, Doyle, M, Graham, S, Newman, CE, Murphy, D, Bell, S, Beetson, K, Wilms, J and Penning, K (2020). Rapid qualitative assessment of COVID-19 health needs in urban Sydney Aboriginal communities: report 1. Sydney, NSW, Australia: CSRH, UNSW. doi: 10.26190/d53r-e060

Rapid qualitative assessment of COVID-19 health needs in urban Sydney Aboriginal communities: report 1

2020

Journal Article

Enhancing HIV prevention: social support, access to, and use of HIV testing, treatment, and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria, Uganda

Tumwine, Christopher, Aggleton, Peter and Bell, Stephen (2020). Enhancing HIV prevention: social support, access to, and use of HIV testing, treatment, and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria, Uganda. AIDS Education and Prevention, 32 (3), 196-211. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2020.32.3.196

Enhancing HIV prevention: social support, access to, and use of HIV testing, treatment, and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria, Uganda

2020

Journal Article

Seeking a disability lens within climate change migration discourses, policies and practices

Bell, Sarah L., Tabe, Tammy and Bell, Stephen (2020). Seeking a disability lens within climate change migration discourses, policies and practices. Disability and Society, 35 (4), 682-687. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2019.1655856

Seeking a disability lens within climate change migration discourses, policies and practices

2020

Journal Article

A qualitative exploration of family, work, community, and health service influences on HIV treatment uptake and adherence among female sex workers in three cities in Indonesia

Mitchell, Elke, Lazuardi, Elan, Anintya, Irma, Rowe, Emily, Whitford, Kate, Wirawan, Dewa N., Wisaksana, Rudi, Subronto, Yanri W., Prameswari, Hellen D., Kaldor, John and Bell, Stephen (2020). A qualitative exploration of family, work, community, and health service influences on HIV treatment uptake and adherence among female sex workers in three cities in Indonesia. AIDS Education and Prevention, 32 (3), 243-259. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2020.32.3.243

A qualitative exploration of family, work, community, and health service influences on HIV treatment uptake and adherence among female sex workers in three cities in Indonesia

2020

Journal Article

Two distinct gonorrhea trends and risk factors among women in Australia

Whitford, Kate, Callander, Denton, Smith, Lucy Watchirs, Guy, Rebecca, Kong, Marlene, Ward, James, Donovan, Basil, McManus, Hamish, Bell, Stephen, McGregor, Skye, Menon, Arun, Russell, Darren and O'Connor, Catherine C. (2020). Two distinct gonorrhea trends and risk factors among women in Australia. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 47 (1), 34-40. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001086

Two distinct gonorrhea trends and risk factors among women in Australia

2020

Journal Article

Premarital relationships and condom use among young people in Suva, Fiji

Mitchell, Elke and Bell, Stephen (2020). Premarital relationships and condom use among young people in Suva, Fiji. Sexual Health, 17 (4), 337-343. doi: 10.1071/sh20040

Premarital relationships and condom use among young people in Suva, Fiji

2019

Journal Article

Barriers and enablers to HIV care among waria (transgender women) in Indonesia: a qualitative study

Mitchell, Elke, Lazuardi, Elan, Rowe, Emily, Anintya, Irma, Wirawan, Dewa N., Wisaksana, Rudi, Subronto, Yanri W., Prameswari, Hellen Dewi, Kaldor, John and Bell, Stephen (2019). Barriers and enablers to HIV care among waria (transgender women) in Indonesia: a qualitative study. AIDS Education and Prevention, 31 (6), 538-552. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.6.538

Barriers and enablers to HIV care among waria (transgender women) in Indonesia: a qualitative study

2019

Journal Article

Caring masculinities in the context of HIV serodiscordant relationships in Papua New Guinea

Mitchell, Elke, Kelly-Hanku, Angela, Mek, Agnes, Trumb, Richard Nake, Persson, Asha, Worth, Heather and Bell, Stephen (2019). Caring masculinities in the context of HIV serodiscordant relationships in Papua New Guinea. Men and Masculinities, 24 (2), 326-344. doi: 10.1177/1097184x19889659

Caring masculinities in the context of HIV serodiscordant relationships in Papua New Guinea

2019

Journal Article

Accessing HIV treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: mobility and transport challenges

Tumwine, Christopher, Aggleton, Peter and Bell, Stephen (2019). Accessing HIV treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: mobility and transport challenges. African Journal of AIDS Research, 18 (3), 205-214. doi: 10.2989/16085906.2019.1648306

Accessing HIV treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: mobility and transport challenges

2019

Conference Publication

“You need a cash buffer”: male sex work and condom use in the era of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Callander, Denton, Bell, Stephen, Minichiello, Victor, Deveau, Ryan, Prestage, Garrett and Donovan, Basil (2019). “You need a cash buffer”: male sex work and condom use in the era of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. STI & HIV World Congress (Joint Meeting of the 23rd ISSTDR and 20th IUSTI), Vancouver, Canada, 14-17 July 2019. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.776

“You need a cash buffer”: male sex work and condom use in the era of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Availability

Associate Professor Steve Bell is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Young people and global health across Asia and the Pacific

    Steve’s work brings together lived experience, socio-ecological systems thinking and social theory to understand what works (or not) in global health and social development. He has researched and published widely on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, neglected tropical diseases, TB and Indigenous health. He is particularly interested in understanding the socio-structural determinants of health and social inequities, and injustices associated with marginalisation due to gender, sexuality, age and geography. He has also published two books on interpretive and community-led approaches in research, design, monitoring and evaluation: ‘Peer research in health and social development: international perspectives on participatory research’ (2021), and ‘Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: interpretive and ethnographic perspectives’ (2016). He is currently taking on new PhD students in these areas, with particular interest examining young people's experiences of global health across Asia and the Pacific. Please reach out for a chat if you're interested in any of the following topics:

    1. Solutions-oriented approaches, led by young people – as researchers, advocates, health experts and agents of change – that will enable a step-change in youth-centred health care
    2. Understanding and tackling the broad array of socio-structural determinants of health and wellbeing
    3. Design, implementation and evaluation of adolescent-responsive health services
    4. Innovation in community-located, community-led models of health care and support, including self-care approaches
    5. Understanding the impacts of climate on young people’s health and health service provision, and young people’s work to adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change on their lives, families and communities

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Associate Professor Steve Bell's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au