Overview
Background
Dr Akbar is a Pacific Fijian academic and researcher with extensive experience in community development research and teaching and has contributed to the Australian and International higher education sectors. Dr Akbar’s teaching and research are shaping how Indigenous knowledge is used to address the health inequities and social determinants of health of First Nations Peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori & Pasifika (collective term for Pacific diaspora in Australia) communities through co-designed solutions with the communities, and integrating community participatory action research and Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems with social justice principles to promote equitable health and wellbeing. Heena's research addresses the social, cultural and economic burden of chronic conditions through a strength-based approach and impacts policy development that translates to better health outcomes for First Nations peoples, particularly Māori & Pasifika peoples in Australia and Internationally.
Availability
- Dr Heena Akbar is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), Queensland University of Technology
- Masters (Research) of Public Health, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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Health and Wellbeing of Māori and Pasifika communities
We are currently working with Māori and Pasifika communities to co-design and co-develop programs and initiatives that promote holistic health and wellbeing.
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Women’s health with a particular focus on chronic condition prevention and management
We are currently piloting the Pasifika Women's Wellness Program for Maori and Pasifika women living with type 2 diabetes. This program was co-developed with the Pasifika communities in Southeast Queensland.
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Community- based participatory action research
We use Pacific Indigenous frameworks (Pacific Health Models) and methodologies and approaches embedded within emancipatory and social justice principles.
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Cultural and social determinants of health
Health inequities and cultural and social determinants of health are foundational in my teaching and research. My teaching focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Public Health and Social Determinants of Health to address health inequities. I use my research and community development experiences with First Nations communities and share these in the teaching & learning space with my students.
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Indigenous methodologies (Pacific Indigenous approaches)
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First Nations Health and Wellbeing
Research impacts
Dr Akbar's work frames Pacific knowledge systems, Pacific Health models and Indigenous methodology to develop participatory co-designed solutions with First Nations, Maori and Pacific communities to address health inequities. As a Pacific researcher, Heena works with Maori and Pacific communities in Australia and internationally to promote health and wellness as well as bringing the Pacific researchers to lead Māori and Pacific research in Australia.
Works
Search Professor Heena Akbar’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2026
Book Chapter
Digital talanoa improves Pacific women's wellness living with diabetes.
Akbar, H, Hoori, R, Niumata, W, Pio, M. A, Syme, H and Hussain, Z (2026). Digital talanoa improves Pacific women's wellness living with diabetes.. Pacific paradigms and wellbeing practices in Australia. (pp. unknown-unknown) edited by R. Faleolo, D. Enari, S. Manuela and C. ‘Ilaiū Talei. London, United Kingdom: Springer Nature.
Featured
2026
Book Chapter
Promoting holistic wellbeing of Pasifika learners in Australia through AKO in Queensland
Faleolo, R. L, Akbar, H, Boon, J, Fainga'a-Manu Sione, I, Mariner, R, Stanley, G, Faleolo, T. G, Enari, D, Faleolo, I. T. V, Faleolo, S. T. N, Faleolo, L. M. L, Faleolo, N. R, Lea'aetoa, H. A, ‘Ilaiū, J. P, Natapu-Ponton, V and Hafu-Fetokai, C (2026). Promoting holistic wellbeing of Pasifika learners in Australia through AKO in Queensland. Pacific paradigms and wellbeing practices in Australia. (pp. 1-32) edited by R. Faleolo, D. Enari, S. Manuela and C. ‘Ilaiū Talei. London, United Kingdom: Springer Nature.
Featured
2025
Journal Article
Indigenizing research via Talanoa: Vā in higher education
Pale, Maryanne, Enari, Dion, Tualaulelei, Eseta, Akbar, Heena, Faleolo, Ruth L., Ravulo, Jioji, Ohi, Sarah, Fainga’a‐Manu Sione, Inez, Fox, Levi, Seumanutafa‐Palala, Rita and Williams, Bronwyn (2025). Indigenizing research via Talanoa: Vā in higher education. Anthropology and Education Quarterly e70053. doi: 10.1111/aeq.70053
Featured
2025
Journal Article
Insights from Pacific Islander and Māori community members: talanoa on medication adherence and type 2 diabetes management in Queensland
Taufatofua, Natasha, Akbar, Heena and La Caze, Adam (2025). Insights from Pacific Islander and Māori community members: talanoa on medication adherence and type 2 diabetes management in Queensland. AlterNative 11771801251383570. doi: 10.1177/11771801251383570
Featured
2025
Journal Article
The experiences of Indigenous academics in the diaspora
Enari, Dion, Pale, Maryanne, Fainga’a-Manusione, Inez, Faleolo, Ruth L., Faleolo, Thom G., Stanley, Glenda, Lakisa, David, Haua, Innez, Ravulo, Jioji, Akbar, Heena, Matapo, Jacoba, Cammock, Radilaite and Ualesi, Yvonne (2025). The experiences of Indigenous academics in the diaspora. Educational Philosophy and Theory, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/00131857.2025.2468424
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Effectiveness of a Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program (PWDWP): Protocol for a pilot intervention and feasibility RCT study
Akbar, Heena, Contor, Madison, Niumata, Winnie, Anderson, Debra and Gallegos, Danielle (2023). Effectiveness of a Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program (PWDWP): Protocol for a pilot intervention and feasibility RCT study. JMIR Research Protocols, 13 (1) e55435, 1-14. doi: 10.2196/55435
Featured
2023
Other Outputs
The stories of our women: Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program
Akbar, Heena, Niumata, Winnie, Hoori, Reo, Akbar, Ramiza A, Pio, Maria, Syme, Harata and Hussein, Ziya (2023). The stories of our women: Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Community Mentors International.
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Towards collective community education: Pasifika diabetes health forums in Southeast Queensland, Australia
Akbar, Heena G., Gallegos, Danielle, Aunty Wynn Te Kani of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou decent, Anderson, Debra and Windsor, Carol (2023). Towards collective community education: Pasifika diabetes health forums in Southeast Queensland, Australia. AlterNative, 19 (4), 933-944. doi: 10.1177/11771801231196777
Featured
2022
Book
Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program
Akbar, Heena, Niumata, Winnie and Te Kani, Aunty Wynn (2022). Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Community Mentors International.
Featured
2022
Journal Article
“Food Is Our Love Language”: Using talanoa to conceptualize food security for the Māori and Pasifika diaspora in South-East Queensland, Australia
Akbar, Heena, Radclyffe, Charles J. T., Santos, Daphne, Mopio-Jane, Maureen and Gallegos, Danielle (2022). “Food Is Our Love Language”: Using talanoa to conceptualize food security for the Māori and Pasifika diaspora in South-East Queensland, Australia. Nutrients, 14 (10) 2020, 2020. doi: 10.3390/nu14102020
Featured
2022
Journal Article
Using Talanoa in community-based participatory research with Australian Pacific Islander women with type 2 diabetes
Akbar, Heena, Windsor, Carol, Gallegos, Danielle, Manu-Sione, Inez and Anderson, Debra (2022). Using Talanoa in community-based participatory research with Australian Pacific Islander women with type 2 diabetes. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 16 (1), 119-128. doi: 10.1353/cpr.2022.0011
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Deconstructing type 2 diabetes self-management of Australian Pacific Islander women: Using a community participatory research and talanoa approach
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle, Anderson, Debra and Windsor, Carol (2021). Deconstructing type 2 diabetes self-management of Australian Pacific Islander women: Using a community participatory research and talanoa approach. Health and Social Care in the Community, 30 (5), 1988-1999. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13580
Featured
2015
Journal Article
Predicting intentions and behaviours in populations with or at-risk of diabetes: A systematic review
Akbar, Heena, Anderson, Debra and Gallegos, Danielle (2015). Predicting intentions and behaviours in populations with or at-risk of diabetes: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2, 270-282. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.04.006
Featured
2005
Journal Article
Identifying competencies for Australian health professionals working in international health
Akbar, H., Hill, P. S., Rotem, A., Riley, I. D., Zwi, A. B., Marks, G. C. and Mark, T. (2005). Identifying competencies for Australian health professionals working in international health. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health., 17 (2), 99-103. doi: 10.1177/101053950501700207
2026
Book Chapter
Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program: A community-led initiative for health and wellbeing changes in Australia
Akbar, H., Niumata, W., Hopoate, L., Akbar, R.A., Langan, V., Te Kani, W., Chow, I., McDonald, M. and McDonald, N. (2026). Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program: A community-led initiative for health and wellbeing changes in Australia. Untangling notions of Pacific wellbeing across the Trans-Tasman. (pp. 1-25) edited by C. ‘Ilaiū Talei, R. L. Faleolo, S. Manuela and D. Enari. London, United Kingdom: Springer.
2025
Conference Publication
Empowering Pasifika youth: bridging knowledge, tradition, and leadership for a flourishing future
Akbar, Heena, Hippolite, Tiana, Tupuola-Sorenson, Theresa and Faleolo, Ruth (2025). Empowering Pasifika youth: bridging knowledge, tradition, and leadership for a flourishing future. Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2025: Walking Together, Flourishing Together: Pathways to Indigenous Wellbeing, Meanjin (Brisbane), QLD, Australia, 20-21 October 2025. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.
2025
Conference Publication
Weaving presence—Embodied truth-telling and relational accountability in education and wellbeing [Keynote Address]
Akbar, Heena, Ryan, Kyle (Yuggera Ugarapul), Gray-Tuapawa, Tahi and Biumaiwai, Jaelyn (2025). Weaving presence—Embodied truth-telling and relational accountability in education and wellbeing [Keynote Address]. Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2025: Walking Together, Flourishing Together: Pathways to Indigenous Wellbeing, Meanjin (Brisbane), QLD, Australia, 20 -21 October 2025. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.
2025
Conference Publication
Mana in action: Community-driven pathways to Pasifika wellness [Keynote Panel Address: Decolonising health: Indigenous-led solutions]
Akbar, Heena (2025). Mana in action: Community-driven pathways to Pasifika wellness [Keynote Panel Address: Decolonising health: Indigenous-led solutions]. Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2025: Walking Together, Flourishing Together: Pathways to Indigenous Wellbeing, Meanjin (Brisbane), QLD, Australia, 20-21October 2025. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.
2025
Journal Article
Exploring the sociocultural factors of obesity among Kiribati women living in Auckland, New Zealand
Baiteke, Annie, Nosa, Vili and Akbar, Heena (2025). Exploring the sociocultural factors of obesity among Kiribati women living in Auckland, New Zealand. Kotuitui.
2025
Conference Publication
Transforming health with digital storytelling: Lessons from Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Intervention
Akbar, H. and Niumata, W. (2025). Transforming health with digital storytelling: Lessons from Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Intervention. 2025 Preventive Health Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 28-30 April 2025. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA).
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Heena Akbar is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the psychological impact of type 2 diabetes among Kiribati women living in Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Smallholder agriculture and food and nutrition security: strategies to empower farming families in Solomon Islands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natalie Jones, Associate Professor Severine van Bommel
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Doctor Philosophy
Towards Social Justice for the Hijra Community
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dorothee Hölscher, Dr Kathy Ellem
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploration and evaluation of Sexual and Reproductive Health service uptake for refugee and migrant women in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Yibeltal Alemu, Associate Professor Judith Dean
Completed supervision
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2025
Master Philosophy
Teacher perspectives on school gardens in educational contexts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Severine van Bommel
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Supporting Type 2 Diabetes Management and Medication Adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander Community in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam La Caze
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Heena Akbar directly for media enquiries about:
- Chronic Conditions prevention & management
- cultural safety practice
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities
- culturally responsive healthcare and research
- Decolonising research methods
- Food Security
- Food Sovereignty approach
- health equity
- health equity health care
- Indigenising curriculum
- Indigensou knowledge systems
- Maori & Pasifika Peoples in Queensland
- Pacific Indentity
- Pacific Methods
- Pacific talanoa
- Pasifika Wellness Program
- Women's Wellness
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