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

125 works between 2005 and 2024
All (125) Journal Article (56) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (32) Book (2) Other Outputs (29)

41 - 60 of 125 works

2019

Journal Article

Qualitative perspectives on the sustainability of sexual health continuous quality improvement in clinics serving remote Aboriginal communities in Australia

Gunaratnam, Praveena, Schierhout, Gill, Brands, Jenny, Maher, Lisa, Bailie, Ross, Ward, James, Guy, Rebecca, Rumbold, Alice, Ryder, Nathan, Fairley, Christopher K., Donovan, Basil, Moore, Liz, Kaldor, John and Bell, Stephen (2019). Qualitative perspectives on the sustainability of sexual health continuous quality improvement in clinics serving remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. BMJ Open, 9 (5) e026679, e026679. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026679

Qualitative perspectives on the sustainability of sexual health continuous quality improvement in clinics serving remote Aboriginal communities in Australia

2019

Journal Article

Developing a culturally appropriate illustrated tool for the self-collection of anorectal specimens for the testing of sexually transmitted infections: lessons from Papua New Guinea

Kelly-Hanku, Angela, Bell, Stephen, Ase, Sophie, Boli-Neo, Ruthy, Vallely, Andrew J., Badman, Steven G., Nightingale, Claire E. and Wapling, Johanna (2019). Developing a culturally appropriate illustrated tool for the self-collection of anorectal specimens for the testing of sexually transmitted infections: lessons from Papua New Guinea. BMC Public Health, 19 (1) 214. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6506-x

Developing a culturally appropriate illustrated tool for the self-collection of anorectal specimens for the testing of sexually transmitted infections: lessons from Papua New Guinea

2019

Conference Publication

Peer research with young Aboriginal people: attempting to decolonize youth sexual health research in the Northern Territory, Australia

Bell, S., Ward, J., Aggleton, P., Silver, B., Kaldor, J., Murray, W. and Maher, L. (2019). Peer research with young Aboriginal people: attempting to decolonize youth sexual health research in the Northern Territory, Australia. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

Peer research with young Aboriginal people: attempting to decolonize youth sexual health research in the Northern Territory, Australia

2019

Conference Publication

Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV risk in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration

Persson, A., Kelly-Hanku, A., Mek, A., Mitchell, E., Worth, H., Nake Trumb, R. and Bell, S. (2019). Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV risk in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV risk in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration

2019

Other Outputs

HIV Self-Testing to Haus Dur Community-Led and Community-Based HIV testing: Review of evidence from low and middle income countries and community acceptability of new HIV testing models to reach key populations in Papua New Guinea

Kelly-Hanku, A and Bell, S (2019). HIV Self-Testing to Haus Dur Community-Led and Community-Based HIV testing: Review of evidence from low and middle income countries and community acceptability of new HIV testing models to reach key populations in Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby, PNG: UNFPA and UNAIDS. doi: 10.26190/5e78307cd0896

HIV Self-Testing to Haus Dur Community-Led and Community-Based HIV testing: Review of evidence from low and middle income countries and community acceptability of new HIV testing models to reach key populations in Papua New Guinea

2019

Conference Publication

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

Mitchell, E., Lazuardi, E., Rowe, E., Anintya, I., Wirawan, D.N., Wicaksana, R., Subronto, Y.W., Prameswari, H.D., Kaldor, J. and Bell, S. (2019). Barriers and enablers to HIV care among waria (transgender women) in Indonesia: a qualitative study. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

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

2019

Conference Publication

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

Mitchell, E., Kelly-Hanku, A., Mek, A., Nake Trumb, R., Persson, A., Worth, H. and Bell, S. (2019). Caring masculinities in the context of HIV serodiscordant relationships in Papua New Guinea. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

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

2019

Conference Publication

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

Bell, S., Aggleton, P., Ward, J., Murray, W., Silver, B., Fairley, C., Kaldor, J., Donovan, B. and Maher, L. (2019). Young Aboriginal people’s engagement with STI testing in the Northern Territory, Australia. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

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

2019

Conference Publication

What we do well – Stories of love, sex and relationship: a project looking at Aboriginal young people’s strengths and resources for building sexual well-being

Bryant, J., Bell, S., Bolt, R., Graham, S., Doyle, M., Newman, C. and Beetson, K. (2019). What we do well – Stories of love, sex and relationship: a project looking at Aboriginal young people’s strengths and resources for building sexual well-being. Lowitja Health and Well-being Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 18-20 June 2019.

What we do well – Stories of love, sex and relationship: a project looking at Aboriginal young people’s strengths and resources for building sexual well-being

2019

Conference Publication

Rising gonorrhoea rates among Australian women: Increased testing isn’t the whole story

Whitford, K., Callander, D., Watchirs Smith, L., Guy, R., Kong, M., Ward, J., Bell, S. and O'Connor, C. (2019). Rising gonorrhoea rates among Australian women: Increased testing isn’t the whole story. Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

Rising gonorrhoea rates among Australian women: Increased testing isn’t the whole story

2019

Conference Publication

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

Bell, S., Ward, J., Aggleton, P., Murray, W., Silver, B., Fairley, C., Kaldor, J., Donovan, B., Ryder, N. and Maher, L. (2019). Young Aboriginal people’s sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

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

2019

Conference Publication

Social influences on HIV testing among female sex workers in three urban settings in Indonesia

Whitford, K., Mitchell, E., Lazuardia, E., Rowe, W., Anintya, I., Wirawan, D. N., Wicaksana, R., Subronto, Y. W., Prameswari, H. D., Kaldor, J. and Bell, S. (2019). Social influences on HIV testing among female sex workers in three urban settings in Indonesia. Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS Conferences, Perth, WA, Australia, 16 September 2019.

Social influences on HIV testing among female sex workers in three urban settings in Indonesia

2019

Conference Publication

Employing the peer-interview method to engage urban-based Indigenous Australian young peoples in conversations about identity

Bolt, R., Bryant, J., Newman, C., Doyle, M. and Bell, S. (2019). Employing the peer-interview method to engage urban-based Indigenous Australian young peoples in conversations about identity. Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference, Las Vegas, NV, United States, 20 February 2019.

Employing the peer-interview method to engage urban-based Indigenous Australian young peoples in conversations about identity

2019

Conference Publication

Employing the peer-interview method to engage urban-based Indigenous Australian young peoples in conversations about identity

Bolt, R., Bryant, J., Newman, C., Doyle, M. and Bell, S. (2019). Employing the peer-interview method to engage urban-based Indigenous Australian young peoples in conversations about identity. Lowitja Health and Well-being Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 18-20 June 2019.

Employing the peer-interview method to engage urban-based Indigenous Australian young peoples in conversations about identity

2018

Journal Article

“Vibrant entanglements”: HIV biomedicine and serodiscordant couples in Papua New Guinea

Persson, Asha, Kelly-Hanku, Angela, Bell, Stephen, Mek, Agnes, Worth, Heather and Nake Trumb, Richard (2018). “Vibrant entanglements”: HIV biomedicine and serodiscordant couples in Papua New Guinea. Medical Anthropology, 38 (3), 267-281. doi: 10.1080/01459740.2018.1530670

“Vibrant entanglements”: HIV biomedicine and serodiscordant couples in Papua New Guinea

2018

Journal Article

Youth-centred research to help prevent and mitigate the adverse health and social impacts of pregnancy amongst young Papua New Guineans

Bell, Stephen, Kennedy, Elissa, Black, Kirsten, Vallely, Andrew, Vallely, Lisa, Mola, Glen, Kaldor, John, Bagita, Mary, Ninnes, Caroline, Pomat, William and Kelly-Hanku, Angela (2018). Youth-centred research to help prevent and mitigate the adverse health and social impacts of pregnancy amongst young Papua New Guineans. Reproductive Health Matters, 26 (54), 5-12. doi: 10.1080/09688080.2018.1512297

Youth-centred research to help prevent and mitigate the adverse health and social impacts of pregnancy amongst young Papua New Guineans

2018

Journal Article

Acceptability of testing for anorectal sexually transmitted infections and self-collected anal swabs in female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender women in Papua New Guinea

Bell, Stephen, Wapling, Johanna, Ase, Sophie, Boli-Neo, Ruthy, Vallely, Andrew J., Kaldor, John M., Nightingale, Claire E. and Kelly-Hanku, Angela (2018). Acceptability of testing for anorectal sexually transmitted infections and self-collected anal swabs in female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender women in Papua New Guinea. BMC Public Health, 18 (1) 776. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5684-2

Acceptability of testing for anorectal sexually transmitted infections and self-collected anal swabs in female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender women in Papua New Guinea

2018

Journal Article

Perspectives of primary health care staff on the implementation of a sexual health quality improvement program: a qualitative study in remote aboriginal communities in Australia

Hengel, Belinda, Bell, Stephen, Garton, Linda, Ward, James, Rumbold, Alice, Taylor-Thomson, Debbie, Silver, Bronwyn, McGregor, Skye, Dyda, Amalie, Knox, Janet, Guy, Rebecca, Maher, Lisa, Kaldor, John Martin, McDermott, Robyn, Skov, Steven, Boffa, John, Chee, Donna Ah., Law, Mathew, Fairley, Christopher, Donovan, Basil and Glance, David (2018). Perspectives of primary health care staff on the implementation of a sexual health quality improvement program: a qualitative study in remote aboriginal communities in Australia. BMC Health Services Research, 18 (1) 230. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3024-y

Perspectives of primary health care staff on the implementation of a sexual health quality improvement program: a qualitative study in remote aboriginal communities in Australia

2018

Journal Article

"I was attracted to him because of his money': Changing forms of polygyny in contemporary Papua New Guinea

Mek, Agnes K., Kelly-Hanku, Angela, Bell, Stephen, Wilson, Lee and Vallely, Andrew J. (2018). "I was attracted to him because of his money': Changing forms of polygyny in contemporary Papua New Guinea. Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 19 (2), 120-137. doi: 10.1080/14442213.2018.1440626

"I was attracted to him because of his money': Changing forms of polygyny in contemporary Papua New Guinea

2018

Conference Publication

Fostering the sexual well-being of Aboriginal young people by building on social, cultural and personal strengths and resources

Bryant, J., Bell, S., Bolt, R., Graham, S., Doyle, M., Newman, C. and Beetson, K. (2018). Fostering the sexual well-being of Aboriginal young people by building on social, cultural and personal strengths and resources. IUSTI Asia Pacific Sexual Health Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, 1 November 2018.

Fostering the sexual well-being of Aboriginal young people by building on social, cultural and personal strengths and resources

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