Dr Penny Haora
Dr

Penny Haora

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Background

Dr Penny Haora (Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Māhanga) is a Research Fellow in the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.

Penny researches innovations and system transformation for better maternity care with a focus on First Nations families. She uses qualitative, mixed methods, community-based participatory, and realist approaches. As a First Nations Māori researcher, Penny is learning Kaupapa Māori and Indigenist research approaches and works to see the revaluing of Indigenous knowledges and science. The overall aim of her research is to support healthy families through better births. She does this by conducting and facilitating research that places the lived experiences of mums and bubs, families and community front and centre.

Penny aims for her work to incentivise action to address entrenched inequities in maternity care, such as care quality/safety (including cultural safety) and access. She has worked in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community organisations, internationally with remote communities and in post-conflict settings with local and international non-government organisations, and within diverse organisational contexts.

Penny is leading projects with a view to better understanding and evaluating First Nations-led maternity and family care and wellbeing. From 2019 to 2022, she managed the Building on Our Strengths (BOOSt) project based on the beautiful Lands of the Yuin Nation (NSW) embedded with Waminda South Coast Aboriginal Women’s Health and Wellbeing Organisation. Penny completed a Doctor of Philosophy in 2013 enrolled at the ANU working on a project based in Thailand. Her Master of Public Health research was undertaken in Rasuwa District, Nepal, and she has around six years of experience working in research/evaluation/management and clinical roles in Thailand, Nepal, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea.

Penny is available to supervise PhD students, Honours and Master of Public Health projects.

Availability

Dr Penny Haora is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural determinants of health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifecourse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwifery and paediatrics Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies health and wellbeing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health and wellbeing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social determinants of health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theory of change models for health Health Sciences Health equity Health promotion Health services and systems Implementation science and evaluation Indigenous Studies Midwifery Midwifery not elsewhere classified Models of care and place of birth Other Indigenous data, methodologies and global Indigenous studies Preventative health care Primary health care Psychosocial aspects of childbirth and perinatal mental health Public health Rural and remote health services Social determinants of health Te hauora me te oranga o te Māori (Māori health and wellbeing)

Qualifications

  • Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, University of Western Sydney
  • Masters (Coursework) of Public Health and Health Services, University of New South Wales
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Public Health and Health Services, Australian National University
  • Member, Australian College of Midwifery Incorporated, Australian College of Midwifery Incorporated

Research interests

  • Inter-Indigenous, Kaupapa Māori & Indigenist research approaches

    Specifically First Nations narrative (story) approaches; decolonising, antiracist, trauma/healing-informed research praxis. Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual property (ICIP)

  • Decolonisation of maternity care & academia

    Strengths-focused First Nations-led maternity/family/child/reproductive health care (and various components of e.g. Indigenous Family Support Practitioners, Deadly Dads etc). First Nations midwifery workforce and decolonising midwifery (education, practice, research, regulation, association) and maternity care. Countering racism and discrimination in maternity care with Connectedness.

  • Realist approaches

    Realist Evaluation and Realist Synthesis

  • Qualitative research methods

  • Implementation Science and Knowledge Translation (KT) in maternity care/First Nations maternity care

Research impacts

My research has impact at many levels including influencing policy, health services decision making, maternity care improvements, better outcomes and experiences of care to support the health and wellbeing of women, families and Communities.

Search Professor Penny Haora’s works on UQ eSpace

15 works between 2006 and 2024
All (15) Journal Article (10) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (4)

1 - 15 of 15 works

Featured

2024

Journal Article

What are the mechanisms of effect of group antenatal care? A systematic realist review and synthesis of the literature

Mehay, Anita, Motta, Giordana Da, Hunter, Louise, Rayment, Juliet, Wiggins, Meg, Haora, Penny, McCourt, Christine and Harden, Angela (2024). What are the mechanisms of effect of group antenatal care? A systematic realist review and synthesis of the literature. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24 (1) 625. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06792-6

What are the mechanisms of effect of group antenatal care? A systematic realist review and synthesis of the literature

Featured

2024

Journal Article

Enabling the context for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Birthing on Country services: participatory action research

Roe, Yvette, Allen, Jyai, Haora, Penny, Hickey, Sophie, Briggs, Melanie, Wilkes, Liz, Nelson, Carmel, Watego, Kristie, Coddington, Rebecca, Ireland, Sarah, Kruske, Sue, Gao, Yu and Kildea, Sue (2024). Enabling the context for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Birthing on Country services: participatory action research. Women and Birth, 37 (2), 368-378. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.11.007

Enabling the context for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Birthing on Country services: participatory action research

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Developing and evaluating Birthing on Country services for First Nations Australians: the Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt) prospective mixed methods birth cohort study protocol

Haora, Penny, Roe, Yvette, Hickey, Sophie, Gao, Yu, Nelson, Carmel, Allen, Jyai, Briggs, Melanie, Worner, Faye, Kruske, Sue, Watego, Kristie, Maidment, Sarah-Jade, Hartz, Donna, Sherwood, Juanita, Barclay, Lesley, Tracy, Sally, Tracy, Mark, Wilkes, Liz, West, Roianne, Grant, Nerida and Kildea, Sue (2023). Developing and evaluating Birthing on Country services for First Nations Australians: the Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt) prospective mixed methods birth cohort study protocol. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23 (1) 77, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05277-8

Developing and evaluating Birthing on Country services for First Nations Australians: the Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt) prospective mixed methods birth cohort study protocol

Featured

2021

Journal Article

A call for action that cannot go to voicemail: Research activism to urgently improve Indigenous perinatal health and wellbeing

Hickey, Sophie, Roe, Yvette, Ireland, Sarah, Kildea, Sue, Haora, Penny, Gao, Yu, Maypilama, Elaine Läwurrpa, Kruske, Sue, Campbell, Sandy, Moore, Suzanne, Maidment, Sarah-Jade, Heinemann, Kayla, Hartz, Donna, Adcock, Anna, Storey, Francesca, Bennett, Matthew, Lambert, Charles, Sibanda, Nokuthaba, Lawton, Beverley, Cram, Fiona, Stevenson, Kendall, Lavoie, Josée, Edmonds, Liza, Geller, Stacie, Bourrassa, Carrie, Smylie, Janet, Van Wagner, Vicki, Bourgeois, Cheryllee, Dion Fletcher, Claire ... Sherwood, Juanita (2021). A call for action that cannot go to voicemail: Research activism to urgently improve Indigenous perinatal health and wellbeing. Women and Birth, 34 (4), 303-305. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.03.011

A call for action that cannot go to voicemail: Research activism to urgently improve Indigenous perinatal health and wellbeing

2024

Conference Publication

Birthing as the first cultural ceremony: Qualitative findings from the Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt) study at Waminda

Maidment, Sarah-Jade, Kahl, Kelsie, Allen, Jyai, Briggs, Melanie, Haroa, Penny, Wellington, Cleone, Warner, Faye, Roe, Yvette, Sherwood, Juanita, Luland, Elizabeth and Kildea, Sue (2024). Birthing as the first cultural ceremony: Qualitative findings from the Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt) study at Waminda. Australian College of Midwives National Conference - Moving Midwifery Forward, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 10 - 12 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101675

Birthing as the first cultural ceremony: Qualitative findings from the Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt) study at Waminda

2022

Conference Publication

Experiences of First Nations women responding to life stressors who access perinatal care at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs): an integrative literature review

Grant, Nerida, Haora, Penny, Kruske, Sue and Hartz, Donna (2022). Experiences of First Nations women responding to life stressors who access perinatal care at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs): an integrative literature review. Australian College of Midwives National Conference - Together at the Top, Cairns, QLD Australia, 13-15 September 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.089

Experiences of First Nations women responding to life stressors who access perinatal care at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs): an integrative literature review

2020

Book Chapter

Learning through reflection—enhancing culturally proficient learning communities in midwifery practice and education: an experience-based learning journey in London, UK

Haora, Penny (2020). Learning through reflection—enhancing culturally proficient learning communities in midwifery practice and education: an experience-based learning journey in London, UK. Cultural competence and the higher education sector: Australian perspectives, policies and practice. (pp. 309-330) edited by Jack Frawley, Gabrielle Russell and Juanita Sherwood. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-5362-2_17

Learning through reflection—enhancing culturally proficient learning communities in midwifery practice and education: an experience-based learning journey in London, UK

2019

Journal Article

Better together: a qualitative exploration of women's perceptions and experiences of group antenatal care

Hunter, Louise J., Da Motta, Giordana, McCourt, Christine, Wiseman, Octavia, Rayment, Juliet L., Haora, Penny, Wiggins, Meg and Harden, Angela (2019). Better together: a qualitative exploration of women's perceptions and experiences of group antenatal care. Women and Birth, 32 (4), 336-345. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.09.001

Better together: a qualitative exploration of women's perceptions and experiences of group antenatal care

2018

Journal Article

Testing the effectiveness of REACH Pregnancy Circles group antenatal care: protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial

Wiggins, Meg, Sawtell, Mary, Wiseman, Octavia, McCourt, Christine, Greenberg, Lauren, Hunter, Rachael, Eldridge, Sandra, Haora, Penny, Kaur, Inderjeet and Harden, Angela (2018). Testing the effectiveness of REACH Pregnancy Circles group antenatal care: protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4 (1) 169, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s40814-018-0361-x

Testing the effectiveness of REACH Pregnancy Circles group antenatal care: protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial

2018

Journal Article

`It makes sense and it works': Maternity care providers' perspectives on the feasibility of a group antenatal care model (Pregnancy Circles)

Hunter, Louise, Da Motta, Giordana, McCourt, Christine, Wiseman, Octavia, Rayment, Juliet, Haora, Penny, Wiggins, Meg and Harden, Angela (2018). `It makes sense and it works': Maternity care providers' perspectives on the feasibility of a group antenatal care model (Pregnancy Circles). Midwifery, 66, 56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.07.016

`It makes sense and it works': Maternity care providers' perspectives on the feasibility of a group antenatal care model (Pregnancy Circles)

2018

Conference Publication

Maternal immunisation: state of the evidence and midwifery implications

Haora, Penny and Beard, Frank (2018). Maternal immunisation: state of the evidence and midwifery implications. Australian College of Midwives National Conference, Unknown, 2018. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.105

Maternal immunisation: state of the evidence and midwifery implications

2018

Conference Publication

Maternal immunisation and midwifery: state of the evidence, and practice enhancement

Haora, Penny and Beard, Frank (2018). Maternal immunisation and midwifery: state of the evidence, and practice enhancement. Australian College of Midwives National Conference, Unknown, 2018. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.115

Maternal immunisation and midwifery: state of the evidence, and practice enhancement

2014

Journal Article

"Continuity of care" experiences in midwifery education: Perspectives from diverse stakeholders

Browne, Jenny, Haora, Penny J., Taylor, Jan and Davis, Deborah L. (2014). "Continuity of care" experiences in midwifery education: Perspectives from diverse stakeholders. Nurse Education in Practice, 14 (5), 573-578. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2014.01.014

"Continuity of care" experiences in midwifery education: Perspectives from diverse stakeholders

2011

Journal Article

With good intentions: Complexity in unsolicited informal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A qualitative study

Ward, Nathaniel J, Jowsey, Tanisha, Haora, Penny J, Aspin, Clive and Yen, Laurann E (2011). With good intentions: Complexity in unsolicited informal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 11 686. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-686

With good intentions: Complexity in unsolicited informal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A qualitative study

2006

Journal Article

Birthing and the birthing transition in Thailand

Haora, P. and Thadakant, S. (2006). Birthing and the birthing transition in Thailand. International Midwifery, 19 (4), 60-61.

Birthing and the birthing transition in Thailand

Availability

Dr Penny Haora is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Birthing in Our Community

    Projects associated with research/evaluation of this maternity care program designed and run by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

  • Birthing in Our Community/Deadly Fit Mums

    Projects associated with research/evaluation of this maternity care program designed and run by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

Enquiries

Contact Dr Penny Haora directly for media enquiries about:

  • First Nations maternity care
  • Indigenous health
  • maternity care
  • midwifery
  • midwifery Indigenous Health
  • public health

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au