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)

61 - 80 of 125 works

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

2017

Conference Publication

Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health.

Bell, S. (2017). Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health. . NSW HARP Forum 2017, Sydney, NSW Australia, 4-5 October 2017.

Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health.

2017

Conference Publication

Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health.

Bell, S. (2017). Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health.. Australasian Sexual Health Conference 2017, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 7-9 November 2017.

Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health.

2016

Book

Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: Interpretive and ethnographic perspectives

Stephen Bell and Peter Aggleton eds. (2016). Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: Interpretive and ethnographic perspectives. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge/Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781315730592

Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: Interpretive and ethnographic perspectives

2016

Book Chapter

Interpretive and ethnographic perspectives: Alternative approaches to monitoring and evaluation practice

Bell, Stephen and Aggleton, Peter (2016). Interpretive and ethnographic perspectives: Alternative approaches to monitoring and evaluation practice. Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: interpretive and ethnographic perspectives. (pp. 1-14) edited by Stephen Bell and Peter Aggleton. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315730592-1

Interpretive and ethnographic perspectives: Alternative approaches to monitoring and evaluation practice

2016

Journal Article

HIV pre-test information, discussion or counselling? A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region

Bell, Stephen A, Delpech, Valerie, Raben, Dorthe, Casabona, Jordi, Tsereteli, Nino and de Wit, John (2016). HIV pre-test information, discussion or counselling? A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 27 (2), 97-104. doi: 10.1177/0956462415584468

HIV pre-test information, discussion or counselling? A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region

2016

Other Outputs

A technical note on ‘agency in practice’

Bell, S and Edmonds, R (2016). A technical note on ‘agency in practice’. London: Keep Your Shoes Dirty.

A technical note on ‘agency in practice’

2016

Other Outputs

Policy Briefing - Delivery of HIV pre-test information: A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region.

Bell, S and De Wit, J (2016). Policy Briefing - Delivery of HIV pre-test information: A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region.. Sydney: CSRH, UNSW.

Policy Briefing - Delivery of HIV pre-test information: A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region.

2016

Other Outputs

Policy briefing - Delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in health care settings: A review of guidance for European countries.

Bell, S and De Wit, J (2016). Policy briefing - Delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in health care settings: A review of guidance for European countries. . Sydney: CSRH, UNSW.

Policy briefing - Delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in health care settings: A review of guidance for European countries.

2016

Other Outputs

Policy briefing - HIV post-test practices: An online survey examining perceived delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in healthcare settings across the WHO European Region.

Bell, S and De Wit, J (2016). Policy briefing - HIV post-test practices: An online survey examining perceived delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in healthcare settings across the WHO European Region.. Sydney: CSRH, UNSW.

Policy briefing - HIV post-test practices: An online survey examining perceived delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in healthcare settings across the WHO European Region.

2016

Other Outputs

HIV Testing Services: Analysis of guidelines and perceptions of practice across the WHO European Region Summary Report.

Bell, S and De Wit, J (2016). HIV Testing Services: Analysis of guidelines and perceptions of practice across the WHO European Region Summary Report.. Sydney: CSRH, UNSW.

HIV Testing Services: Analysis of guidelines and perceptions of practice across the WHO European Region Summary Report.

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