Overview
Background
A/Prof Stephen Bell is a senior social scientist, advisor and international development research consultant with 23 years’ experience tackling global health challenges in settings across South-East Asia, Africa, Western Pacific and Europe. 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.
As Principal Research Fellow and ‘Theme Lead - Social Science and Global Health’ at the Burnet Institute, Steve’s role includes:
- Research on young people's sexual, reproductive and maternal health, including adolescent-responsive health services and systems, contraceptive innovation, safe abortion, enabling socio-structural environments, and the intersections of health and climate change;
- Providing methodological expertise, technical support and mentoring in social science, co-design and community-based, community-led research practice across the Institute’s global health programs and business development across working groups and programs;
- Supporting a growing regional network of youth research, advocacy and thought leadership hubs across Asia and the Pacific;
- Managing and delivering consultancy, advisory and research work for institutional partners.
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 published two edited collections 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). With international colleagues, he is working on a third edited collection called, ‘Lived Experience: Critical Perspectives in a Changing World’. Steve is currently taking on new PhD students who are interested in undertaking research in any of these areas, so please do reach out to him for a chat!
Steve is Commissioner on The Lancet Global Health Commission on People-Centered Care for Universal Health Coverage, Technical Consultant (Strategy and Insights) with PSI, and Member of the International Editorial Board at Culture, Health & Sexuality. Steve has served as a Senior Advisor to the Boston Consulting Group, and has worked in senior research and consultancy roles with international governments, NGOs, UNAIDS, UNFPA and WHO.
Availability
- Associate Professor Steve Bell is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Human Geography, University of Leeds
- Masters (Coursework) of Sustainable Development, Royal Holloway, University of London
- Doctor of Philosophy of Social Science (Health Practice), Royal Holloway University of London
Research interests
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Socio-structural determinants of health and wellbeing
Critical qualitative enquiry; lived experiences research; operation of determinants of health; production of health inequities
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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
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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
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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
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Innovation in qualitative, participatory and ethnographic research
Community-led research; working with community researchers; longitudinal research design; photovoice; peer research; participatory video
Works
Search Professor Steve Bell’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2019
Journal Article
Understanding the social influences on engaging key populations with HIV prevention: a qualitative study with men who have sex with men in three Indonesian cities
Lazuardi, Elan, Newman, Christy E., Tasya, Irma Anintya, Rowe, Emily, Wirawan, D. N., Wisaksana, Rudi, Subronto, Yanri W., Kaldor, John, Kusmayanti, Nur Aini, Iskandar, Shelly and Bell, Stephen (2019). Understanding the social influences on engaging key populations with HIV prevention: a qualitative study with men who have sex with men in three Indonesian cities. AIDS Education and Prevention, 31 (3), 206-223. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.3.206
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Steve Bell is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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:
- 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
- Understanding and tackling the broad array of socio-structural determinants of health and wellbeing
- Design, implementation and evaluation of adolescent-responsive health services
- Innovation in community-located, community-led models of health care and support, including self-care approaches
- 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
Media
Enquiries
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