Associate Professor Steve Bell
Associate Professor

Steve Bell

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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

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, Royal Holloway, University of London
  • 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

135 works between 2005 and 2025
All (135) Journal Article (66) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (32) Book (2) Other Outputs (29)

61 - 80 of 135 works

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

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

Outcomes of Stages I and II Follicular Lymphoma in the Era of 18F-FDG PET-CT Staging: An International Collaborative Study from the Australian Lymphoma Alliance

Tobin, Joshua W. D., Rule, Gabrielle, Colvin, Katherine, Calvente, Lourdes, Hodgson, David C., Dunduru, Chengetai, Bell, Stephen, Gallo, James, Tsang, Erica, Tan, Xuan, Pearce, Jessica, Wong, Jonathan, Campbell, Robert, Tneh, Shao Yang, Shorten, Sophie, Ng, Melissa Liet Hing, Darch, Jacob, Cochrane, Tara, Tam, Constantine S., Abro, Emad Uddin, Hawkes, Eliza, Hodges, Georgina, Talaulikar, Dipti, Gilbertson, Michael P., Johnson, Anna, Kansara, Roopesh R., Villa, Diego, Savage, Kerry J., Morris, Kirk Lachlan ... Hapgood, Greg (2018). Outcomes of Stages I and II Follicular Lymphoma in the Era of 18F-FDG PET-CT Staging: An International Collaborative Study from the Australian Lymphoma Alliance. 60th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Hematology (ASH), San Diego, CA United States, 1-4 December 2018. Washington, DC United States: American Society of Hematology. doi: 10.1182/blood-2018-99-114097

Outcomes of Stages I and II Follicular Lymphoma in the Era of 18F-FDG PET-CT Staging: An International Collaborative Study from the Australian Lymphoma Alliance

2018

Journal Article

A ‘scoping review' of qualitative literature about engagement with HIV care in Indonesia

Lazuardi, Elan, Bell, Stephen and Newman, Christy E. (2018). A ‘scoping review' of qualitative literature about engagement with HIV care in Indonesia. Sexual Health, 15 (4), 283-291. doi: 10.1071/sh17163

A ‘scoping review' of qualitative literature about engagement with HIV care in Indonesia

2018

Conference Publication

Strengthening HIV care engagement in Indonesia: Evidence from the qualitative literature and fieldwork

Lazuardi, E., Newman, C. and Bell, S. (2018). Strengthening HIV care engagement in Indonesia: Evidence from the qualitative literature and fieldwork. Australasian HIV Conference, Sydney, Australia, 24 September 2018.

Strengthening HIV care engagement in Indonesia: Evidence from the qualitative literature and fieldwork

2018

Journal Article

Negotiating trust and struggling for control: everyday narratives of unwanted disclosure of HIV status among people with HIV in Australia

Bell, Stephen, Aggleton, Peter and Slavin, Sean (2018). Negotiating trust and struggling for control: everyday narratives of unwanted disclosure of HIV status among people with HIV in Australia. Health Sociology Review, 27 (1), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/14461242.2016.1271282

Negotiating trust and struggling for control: everyday narratives of unwanted disclosure of HIV status among people with HIV in Australia

2018

Conference Publication

Talking story: learning from Aboriginal young people about sexual health

Bell, S. and Whitford, K. (2018). Talking story: learning from Aboriginal young people about sexual health. NSW HARP Forum 2018, Sydney, Australia, 23 October 2018.

Talking story: learning from Aboriginal young people about sexual health

2018

Conference Publication

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, S., Wapling, J., Ase, S., Boli-Neo, R., Vallely, A., Kaldor, J. and Kelly-Hanku, A. (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.. IUSTI Asia Pacific Sexual Health Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, 1 November 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.

2018

Conference Publication

Talking story: learning from Aboriginal young people about sexual health

Bell, S (2018). Talking story: learning from Aboriginal young people about sexual health. Rural GPs Conference, Coogee, NSW, Australia, 29 November 2018.

Talking story: learning from Aboriginal young people about sexual health

2018

Conference Publication

Transport challenges can hinder access to HIV testing, treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: a qualitative study.

Tumwine, C., Bell, S. and Aggleton, P. (2018). Transport challenges can hinder access to HIV testing, treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: a qualitative study.. AIDS 2018, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 23 July 2018.

Transport challenges can hinder access to HIV testing, treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: a qualitative study.

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

2017

Journal Article

Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: a scoping review of young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health

Bell, Stephen, Aggleton, Peter, Ward, James and Maher, Lisa (2017). Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: a scoping review of young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health. Journal of Youth Studies, 20 (9), 1208-1224. doi: 10.1080/13676261.2017.1317088

Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: a scoping review of young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health

2017

Journal Article

HIV pre-test practices: an online survey examining perceptions of informed consent and pre-test information delivery in health care settings across the WHO European Region

Bell, Stephen, Casabona, Jordi, Tsereteli, Nino, Raben, Dorthe and de Wit, John (2017). HIV pre-test practices: an online survey examining perceptions of informed consent and pre-test information delivery in health care settings across the WHO European Region. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 28 (6), 558-563. doi: 10.1177/0956462416636314

HIV pre-test practices: an online survey examining perceptions of informed consent and pre-test information delivery in health care settings across the WHO European Region

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

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communications@uq.edu.au