
Overview
Background
Dr Alana Gall is a proud Pakana (Tasmanian Aboriginal) woman whose ancestral heritage links to the north-east coast of Lutruwita (Tasmania), and more recently, the Bass Strait Islands of Cape Barren and Flinders Island.
Alana is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the First Nations Cancer & Wellbeing Research team, and the Project Manager of the What Matters 2 Adults Implementation project. Alana’s research focusses on wellbeing and holistic health for Indigenous peoples globally. The aim of the WM2A-I study she is managing, is to test the most appropriate and effective methods for implementing the newly developed WM2Adults Wellbeing measure - the first nationally-relevant wellbeing measure developed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.
Alana has a background in nutritional medicine and has more than 10 years’ experience in research, research translation, community engagement, health education and clinical consultation. Alana’s PhD thesis, titled Exploring Wellbeing from Indigenous Perspectives, centres primarily on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ wellbeing but also includes a focus on the domains of wellbeing for Indigenous peoples in Canada, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the United States.
On a personal note, Alana is passionate about empowering others to take control of their own health and believes better health and wellbeing can be achieved at a population level through transdisciplinary approaches that adhere to holistic models of health and wellbeing. Alana is also passionate about education, understanding on both an academic and personal level, that this is one significant way to lift individuals, families and communities out of poverty – having hope for the future is imperative to good health and wellbeing. Due to this passion, Alana produced a free worksheet for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, in collaboration with Wingaru Kids about antimicrobial bush medicines and would love to collaborate in this space more.
Availability
- Dr Alana Gall is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Nutritional Medicine, Endeavour College of Natural Medicine
- Masters (Research) of Research, Charles Darwin University
- Doctor of Philosophy of Research, Charles Darwin University
- Member, Public Health Association of Australia, Public Health Association of Australia
Research interests
-
Indigenous peoples health and wellbeing globally
- Holistic models of health and wellbeing - Traditional, Complementary and Integrative medicine - Nutritional and herbal medicine - Spirituality and connectedness to Country/land and people
Research impacts
Alana's work looking at Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicines (TCIM), specifically the use of these by First Nations peoples with cancer/diabetes, the disclosure of their use from the perspectives of both patients and healthcare providers, and healthcare providers perspectives of TCIM, has garnered much media and education recognition. Alana performed interviews with Triple J Radio (included in hourly news alerts), ABC Radio Darwin, TSIMA IndigiTUBE radio, Bumma Bippera Media, the NT News (newspaper) and Charles Darwin University E-news. Alana partnered with Wingaru, a First Nations education provider for teachers nationally, on an information and activity worksheet titled Antimicrobial Bush Medicines that was freely available for students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Alana was engaged as the cultural advisor on a new complementary medicine textbook, providing cultural and traditional medicine advice, which is the core text for a graduate level program.
Alana has contributed as both an employee and leading research, from the inception of the What Matters research program. This body of work has revolutionised how First Nations Australians’ wellbeing is understood in research and practice, developed the first national and culturally relevant wellbeing measure for First Nations adults, and is currently implementing this measure into routine cancer care. Measures for youth and children are underway and planned. Alana's research exploring self-reported wellbeing and health-related quality of life of First Nations peoples pre and post the first wave of COVID-19 2020 pandemic, was the first to publish this data in Australia. Wiley Publishing Company included Alana and this article in their 2022 NAIDOC week special edition as one of five featured authors.
Works
Search Professor Alana Gall’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Measuring <scp>Indigenous</scp> food security—A case for <scp>Indigenous</scp> designed tools
Deen, Caroline, Sherriff, Simone, Shelling, Madeline, Gall, Alana, Cubillo, Beau, Te Morenga, Lisa, Brimblecombe, Julie and Matthews, Veronica (2024). Measuring Indigenous food security—A case for Indigenous designed tools. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36 (1). doi: 10.1002/hpja.945
2024
Journal Article
Understanding the wellbeing needs of First Nations children in out-of-home care in Australia: a comprehensive literature review
Garvey, Darren, Carter, Ken, Anderson, Kate, Gall, Alana, Howard, Kirsten, Venables, Jemma, Healy, Karen, Bill, Lea, Letendre, Angeline, Dickson, Michelle and Garvey, Gail (2024). Understanding the wellbeing needs of First Nations children in out-of-home care in Australia: a comprehensive literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 (9) 1208, 1208. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21091208
2024
Journal Article
‘How Your Spirit Is Travelling’—Understanding First Nations Peoples’ Experiences of Living Well with and after Cancer
de Groot, Anneliese, Brown, Bena, Lindsay, Daniel, Gall, Alana, Hewlett, Nicole, Hickman, Amy and Garvey, Gail (2024). ‘How Your Spirit Is Travelling’—Understanding First Nations Peoples’ Experiences of Living Well with and after Cancer. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 (6) 798, 798. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21060798
2024
Journal Article
Development of the What Matters 2 Adults (WM2A) wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
Howard, K., Garvey, G., Anderson, K., Dickson, M., Viney, R., Ratcliffe, J., Howell, M., Gall, A., Cunningham, J., Whop, L.J., Cass, A., Jaure, A. and Mulhern, B. (2024). Development of the What Matters 2 Adults (WM2A) wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Social Science and Medicine, 347 116694, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116694
2024
Book Chapter
Co-design with Indigenous peoples
Anderson, Kate, Butler, Tamara, Gall, Alana, Elder-Robinson, Elaina and Garvey, Gail (2024). Co-design with Indigenous peoples. Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and Cancer. (pp. 305-309) edited by Gail Garvey. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-56806-0_64
2023
Journal Article
The suitability and acceptability of the think-aloud method to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
Gall, Alana, Howard, Kirsten, Anderson, Kate, Diaz, Abbey and Garvey, Gail (2023). The suitability and acceptability of the think-aloud method to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22 16094069231182007. doi: 10.1177/16094069231182007
2023
Conference Publication
Developing a critical global public health agenda for traditional, complementary and integrative health care
Wardle, Jon, Gall, Alana, Gallego, Daniel, James, Peter and Wardle, Jon (2023). Developing a critical global public health agenda for traditional, complementary and integrative health care. 17th World Congress on Public Health, Rome, Italy, 2-6 May 2023. Heraklion, Greece: EU European Publishing. doi: 10.18332/popmed/164562
2023
Journal Article
The need for support to resume study and work in adolescents and young adults with cancer: an environmental scan of online information and resources
Schilstra, Clarissa Evelyn, Ellis, Sarah J, Cohen, Jennifer, Gall, Alana, Diaz, Abbey, Clarke, Kristina, Dumlao, Gadiel, Chard, Jennifer, Cumming, Terry, Davis, Esther, Dhillon, Haryana, Burns, Mary Anne, Docking, Kimberley, Koh, Eng-Siew, O'Reilly, Josephine, Sansom-Daly, Ursula M, Shaw, Joanne, Speers, Nicole, Taylor, Natalie, Warne, Anthea and Fardell, Joanna E (2023). The need for support to resume study and work in adolescents and young adults with cancer: an environmental scan of online information and resources. JMIR Cancer, 10 e47944, 1-14. doi: 10.2196/47944
2023
Journal Article
Development of an Australian FASD Indigenous framework: Aboriginal healing-informed and strengths-based ways of knowing, being and doing
Hewlett, Nicole, Hayes, Lorian, Williams, Robyn, Hamilton, Sharynne, Holland, Lorelle, Gall, Alana, Doyle, Michael, Goldsbury, Sarah, Boaden, Nirosha and Reid, Natasha (2023). Development of an Australian FASD Indigenous framework: Aboriginal healing-informed and strengths-based ways of knowing, being and doing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (6) 5215, 1-25. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20065215
2022
Journal Article
Development of key principles and best practices for co-design in health with First Nations Australians
Anderson, Kate, Gall, Alana, Butler, Tamara, Ngampromwongse, Khwanruethai, Hector, Debra, Turnbull, Scott, Lucas, Kerri, Nehill, Caroline, Boltong, Anna, Keefe, Dorothy and Garvey, Gail (2022). Development of key principles and best practices for co-design in health with First Nations Australians. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (1) 147, 1-19. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010147
2022
Journal Article
A comprehensive review of optimal approaches to co-design in health with First Nations Australians
Butler, Tamara, Gall, Alana, Garvey, Gail, Ngampromwongse, Khwanruethai, Hector, Debra, Turnbull, Scott, Lucas, Kerri, Nehill, Caroline, Boltong, Anna, Keefe, Dorothy and Anderson, Kate (2022). A comprehensive review of optimal approaches to co-design in health with First Nations Australians. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (23) 16166, 1-38. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192316166
2022
Journal Article
Aspects of wellbeing for Indigenous youth in CANZUS countries: a systematic review
Anderson, Kate, Elder-Robinson, Elaina, Gall, Alana, Ngampromwongse, Khwanruethai, Connolly, Michele, Letendre, Angeline, Willing, Esther, Akuhata-Huntington, Zaine, Howard, Kirsten, Dickson, Michelle and Garvey, Gail (2022). Aspects of wellbeing for Indigenous youth in CANZUS countries: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (20) 13688, 1-44. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013688
2022
Journal Article
Self-reported wellbeing and health-related quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people pre and post the first wave of the COVID-19 2020 pandemic
Gall, Alana, Diaz, Abbey, Garvey, Gail, Anderson, Kate, Lindsay, Daniel and Howard, Kirsten (2022). Self-reported wellbeing and health-related quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people pre and post the first wave of the COVID-19 2020 pandemic. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46 (2), 170-176. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13199
2021
Journal Article
Using web conferencing to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in research: a feasibility study
Anderson, Kate, Gall, Alana, Butler, Tamara, Arley, Brian, Howard, Kirsten, Cass, Alan and Garvey, Gail (2021). Using web conferencing to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in research: a feasibility study. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 21 (1) 172, 172. doi: 10.1186/s12874-021-01366-y
2021
Journal Article
An exploration of the sociodemographic and health conditions associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
Gall, A., Diaz, A., Garvey, G., Anderson, K., Lindsay, D. and Howard, K. (2021). An exploration of the sociodemographic and health conditions associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. BMC Research Notes, 14 (1) 386, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s13104-021-05794-3
2021
Journal Article
The fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing: a conceptual model
Garvey, Gail, Anderson, Kate, Gall, Alana, Butler, Tamara L., Whop, Lisa J., Arley, Brian, Cunningham, Joan, Dickson, Michelle, Cass, Alan, Ratcliffe, Julie, Tong, Allison and Howard, Kirsten (2021). The fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing: a conceptual model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (15) 7745, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157745
2021
Journal Article
What Matters 2 Adults (WM2Adults): understanding the foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing
Garvey, Gail, Anderson, Kate, Gall, Alana, Butler, Tamara L., Cunningham, Joan, Whop, Lisa J., Dickson, Michelle, Ratcliffe, Julie, Cass, Alan, Tong, Allison, Arley, Brian and Howard, Kirsten (2021). What Matters 2 Adults (WM2Adults): understanding the foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (12) 6193, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18126193
2021
Journal Article
Wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in Canada, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the United States: a systematic review
Gall, Alana, Anderson, Kate, Howard, Kirsten, Diaz, Abbey, King, Alexandra, Willing, Esther, Connolly, Michele, Lindsay, Daniel and Garvey, Gail (2021). Wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in Canada, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the United States: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (11) 5832, 1-31. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115832
2021
Journal Article
Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine use among Indigenous peoples with diabetes in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States
Gall, Alana, Butler, Tamara L., Lawler, Sheleigh and Garvey, Gail (2021). Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine use among Indigenous peoples with diabetes in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 45 (6), 664-671. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13120
2020
Journal Article
Outcomes reported for Australian First Nation populations for the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic and lessons for future infectious disease emergencies: a systematic review
Gall, Alana, Law, Charlee, Massey, Peter, Crooks, Kristy, Andrews, Ross and Field, Emma (2020). Outcomes reported for Australian First Nation populations for the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic and lessons for future infectious disease emergencies: a systematic review. Global Biosecurity, 1 (4). doi: 10.31646/gbio.76
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Alana Gall is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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