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)

81 - 100 of 135 works

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

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

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 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, Stephen, Casabona, Jordi, Tsereteli, Nino, Raben, Dorthe and De Wit, John (2016). 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. Sexual Health, 13 (3), 205-212. doi: 10.1071/SH15186

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

Sexually Transmissible Infections in remote communities: improved and enhanced primary health care (STRIVE): a summary of published research findings, November 2016

Bell, S., Gunuratnam, P., Schierhout, G., Kaldor, J., Guy, R. and Ward, J. (2016). Sexually Transmissible Infections in remote communities: improved and enhanced primary health care (STRIVE): a summary of published research findings, November 2016. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of New South Wales.

Sexually Transmissible Infections in remote communities: improved and enhanced primary health care (STRIVE): a summary of published research findings, November 2016

2016

Other Outputs

A technical note on ‘agency in practice’

Bell, S. and Edmonds, R. (2016). A technical note on ‘agency in practice’. London, United Kingdom: 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.

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

2015

Conference Publication

Working from young people’s ‘local knowledge’ – towards a new agenda for sexual health research

Bell, S. and Aggleton, P. (2015). Working from young people’s ‘local knowledge’ – towards a new agenda for sexual health research. Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 16-18 September 2015.

Working from young people’s ‘local knowledge’ – towards a new agenda for sexual health research

2015

Journal Article

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

Bell, S. A., Delpech, V., Casabona, J., Tsereteli, N. and de Wit, J. (2015). Delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in health care settings: a review of guidance for European countries. HIV Medicine, 16 (10), 620-627. doi: 10.1111/hiv.12278

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

2014

Journal Article

Economic vulnerability and young people's sexual relationships in rural Uganda

Bell, Stephen A. and Aggleton, Peter (2014). Economic vulnerability and young people's sexual relationships in rural Uganda. Journal of Youth Studies, 17 (6), 814-828. doi: 10.1080/13676261.2013.878797

Economic vulnerability and young people's sexual relationships in rural Uganda

2014

Journal Article

'Mobile men with money': HIV prevention and the erasure of difference

Aggleton, Peter, Bell, Stephen A. and Kelly-Hanku, Angela (2014). 'Mobile men with money': HIV prevention and the erasure of difference. Global Public Health, 9 (3), 257-270. doi: 10.1080/17441692.2014.889736

'Mobile men with money': HIV prevention and the erasure of difference

2014

Conference Publication

HIV testing and counselling - survey results from a European survey

Bell, S. and De Wit, J. (2014). HIV testing and counselling - survey results from a European survey. HepHIV2014 Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 5 October 2014.

HIV testing and counselling - survey results from a European survey

2014

Other Outputs

Evidence-based practice in HIV, STI and viral hepatitis health promotion and Aboriginal community engagement. An Evidence Check.

Bell, S and Treloar, C (2014). Evidence-based practice in HIV, STI and viral hepatitis health promotion and Aboriginal community engagement. An Evidence Check.. Sydney: CSRH, UNSW.

Evidence-based practice in HIV, STI and viral hepatitis health promotion and Aboriginal community engagement. An Evidence Check.

2014

Conference Publication

Working from young Australians say and do: toward a new agenda of sexual health research with young people

Bell, S. (2014). Working from young Australians say and do: toward a new agenda of sexual health research with young people. NSW HARP Program Forum, Sydney, NSW Australia, 30 October 2014.

Working from young Australians say and do: toward a new agenda of sexual health research with young people

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