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:
- 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
2024
Conference Publication
Feeding our mana': Solutions for food security for Maori and Pasifika communities in Australia
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle and FOM Steering Committee (2024). Feeding our mana': Solutions for food security for Maori and Pasifika communities in Australia. World Public Health Nutrition Congress, London, United Kingdom, 10-13 June 2024. London, United Kingdom: World Public Health Nutrition Association.
2024
Conference Publication
Indigenous approach to resilient food systems for Māori and Pasifika communities in Australia
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle and FOM Steering Committee (2024). Indigenous approach to resilient food systems for Māori and Pasifika communities in Australia. World Public Health Nutrition Congress, London, United Kingdom, 10-13 June 2024. Westminster, London: World Public Health Nutrition Association.
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
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.
2023
Journal Article
The political and legal determinants of CALD communities: an unhealthy (modern) healthcare paradigm
Al-Kassimi, Khaled, Kwan, Angela T.H., Portnoff, Jacob S. and Akbar, Heena (2023). The political and legal determinants of CALD communities: an unhealthy (modern) healthcare paradigm. Baltic Journal of Law and Politics, 16 (3), 1046-1055. doi: 10.2478/bjlp-2023-0000083
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
2022
Conference Publication
Gender lens and Talanoa Indigenous perspective in diabetes research with Pacific women
Akbar, Heena (2022). Gender lens and Talanoa Indigenous perspective in diabetes research with Pacific women. IDF World Diabetes Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, 5 - 8 December 2022. Lisbon, Portugal: International Diabetes Federation.
2022
Conference Publication
Keynote Address & Talanoa Panel: Pacific health and wellbeing: Life course and trans-generational perspectives
Dewes, Ofa, Bay, Jacquie and Akbar, Heena (2022). Keynote Address & Talanoa Panel: Pacific health and wellbeing: Life course and trans-generational perspectives. Development of Health and Disease (DoHAD), Adelaide, SA Australia, 10 - 11 November 2022. Adelaide, SA, Australia: DoHAD.
2022
Conference Publication
Socio-cultural and lifestyle factors influencing health of Māori and Pasifika women: findings from Pasifika diabetes health forums
Akbar, Heena (2022). Socio-cultural and lifestyle factors influencing health of Māori and Pasifika women: findings from Pasifika diabetes health forums. QLD Women's Health Forum , Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 12 - 13 September 2022. Women's Health Research Translational Research (WHRTN) .
2022
Conference Publication
"Feeding Our Manaâ": Exploring food insecurity with Maori and Pasifika communities
Akbar, Heena and Gallegos, Danielle (2022). "Feeding Our Manaâ": Exploring food insecurity with Maori and Pasifika communities. Dieticians Australia 2022 Conference , Adelaide, SA Australia, 14 – 16 August 2022. Adelaide, SA Australia:
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.
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
2022
Other Outputs
Feeding Our Mana: exploring food insecurity with Māori and Pasifika communities in southeast Queensland
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle and Steering Committee (2022). Feeding Our Mana: exploring food insecurity with Māori and Pasifika communities in southeast Queensland. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland University of Technology.
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
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
2021
Conference Publication
Feeding our Mana: food security for Pasifika communities
Gallegos, Danielle and Akbar, Heena (2021). Feeding our Mana: food security for Pasifika communities. Queensland Women’s Heath Forum, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27-28 May 2021. Brisbane, QLD Australia: AHRA Women’s Health Research Translation Network.
2021
Conference Publication
Development of a Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program: from the perspective of Māori and Pasifika women living in Queensland
Akbar, Heena, Chow, Iree, Nuimata, Winnie, Te Kani, Wynn , Langan, Violet and Gallegos, Danielle (2021). Development of a Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program: from the perspective of Māori and Pasifika women living in Queensland. Queensland Women’s Heath Forum, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 27-28 May, 2021. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) WHRTN.
2020
Conference Publication
Sustaining research students’ support
Baguley, Graeme, Akbar, Heena, Wang, Christine, Baek, Youngnam and Song, Jun Seok (2020). Sustaining research students’ support. ISANA ONAIR: 2020 Online Conference – Turning challenges into opportunities, Virtual, 3-4 and 8-9 December 2020. Hobart, TAS Australia: ISANA: International Education Association.
2020
Conference Publication
Exploring type 2 diabetes and medication adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander population: participant interviews
Taufatofua, N., Cottrell, N., Akbar, H. and La Caze, A. (2020). Exploring type 2 diabetes and medication adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander population: participant interviews. ASCEPT- APSA Joint Virtual Scientific Meeting 2020, Virtual, 24-26 November 2020. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA).
2020
Conference Publication
Supporting medication adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander community with type 2 diabetes in Australia
Natasha Taufatofua , Heena Akbar , Neil Cottrell and Adam La Caze (2020). Supporting medication adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander community with type 2 diabetes in Australia. ASCEPT-APSA 2020 Joint Virtual Scientific Meeting: Oral Abstracts, Virtual, 24 -26 November 2020. Hamilton, QLD, Australia: ASCEPT Virtual .
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Heena Akbar is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Translating Evidence Into Practice: Improving Health and Health Systems for Māori, Pasifika and Priority Populations
Health and Wellbeing of Māori and Pasifika Communities
We partner closely with Māori and Pasifika communities to co-design and co-develop culturally grounded solutions that promote health equity and holistic wellbeing. HDR projects in this area may involve:
- community‑led participatory action research
- Indigenous and Pacific research methodologies
- holistic frameworks of health, identity, culture, and belonging
- evaluation of community‑driven programs or services
These projects are best suited for students who value relational, community-centred research and aspire to contribute to meaningful, culturally relevant outcomes.
Implementation Science and Translation Research for Priority Communities
We are exploring how implementation science can strengthen the uptake, scalability, and sustainability of health initiatives within Priority communities (including Māori, Pasifika, and culturally and linguistically diverse groups). HDR projects could focus on:
- applying and adapting implementation frameworks within Indigenous or Pacific contexts
- translating evidence into culturally safe and responsive practice
- measuring research impact on community health outcomes
- identifying barriers and enablers to culturally responsive service delivery
These projects aim to generate real-world impact by bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice for priority communities.
Evaluation and Health Service Research Translation
We are also interested in evaluation research and the translation of evidence into health service improvement. HDR projects may explore:
- mixed‑methods evaluations of health programs or models of care
- culturally safe evaluation frameworks for Māori, Pasifika, or Priority populations
- pathways for translating research into health service redesign
- impact assessment and continuous quality improvement within health systems
These projects suit students interested in strengthening health systems, improving service delivery, and ensuring that evidence leads to meaningful, equitable outcomes for communities.
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
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
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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, Associate Professor Kathy Ellem
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
- culturally responsive healthcare and research
- Decolonising research methods
- Food Security
- Health Equity
- Indigenising curriculum
- Pasifika Wellness Program
- Women's Wellness
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