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Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

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Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

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Research and policy to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Poche Centre has a strong history at the University of Sydney.

At the Poche Centre we are committed to delivering world-class research by working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, health care institutions and providers. Through research and partnerships, we actively seek to address health inequities by positioning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices at the centre of all research. Our donors are incredibly proud of this history and are particularly grateful to all organisations and volunteers with whom we have worked towards closing the gap in life expectancy and other health outcomes.

28/10/2026

We're delighted to share that 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮, Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Sydney, will be presenting as part of the 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 (𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗛𝗥) 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 on 19 November 2026.

Victoria's presentation,"𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲", will explore community-led approaches to improving kidney health and social and emotional wellbeing, drawing on Indigenous perspectives, partnerships, and research.

With ancestral ties to the Pitjantjatjara, Australian South Sea Islander and Maltese peoples, Victoria's work centres Indigenous women's standpoint theory and collaborates closely with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector to create meaningful, community-driven change.

📅 Thursday, 19 November 2026
🕐 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST (5:00 AM - 6:00 AM AEDT)
📍 Online via Zoom (register below)

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/victoria-sinka-on-neihr-webinar-series-tickets-2003616647328

28/10/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Tracy Hardy!

This week, we're shining a spotlight on Tracy Hardy, a proud Gamilaroi woman and Research Associate at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.

Tracy's work focuses on the Commercial Determinants of Indigenous Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food and nutrition, with a particular interest in culturally safe, strengths-based approaches to nutrition-related health and wellbeing.

Some of Tracy's recent highlights include:
✅ Publishing "Applying an Indigenous strengths-based theoretical framework for nutrition-related health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia impacted by chronic kidney disease" in 2025.
✅ Supporting research that centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on food, nutrition, health, and wellbeing.
✅ Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in the native and bushfood sector to strengthen understanding of traditional foods, foodways, and their role in health and healing.
✅ Delivering trauma-informed nutrition workshops and advocating for greater recognition of colonisation as a determinant of nutrition-related health and wellbeing.

Why Tracy does this work:
"My journey into nutrition and dietetics began after losing my grandfather to preventable complications of Type 2 diabetes. That experience inspired me to contribute to a nutrition and dietetic workforce that is culturally safe, responsive, and strengths-based."

What motivates Tracy most?
"I want to contribute to positive change and support mob's self-determination of their nutrition-related health and wellbeing. I am passionate about helping public health and nutrition professionals deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and knowledges."

The impact Tracy hopes to have:
"I hope my work contributes research that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to assert leadership and self-determination in health and wellbeing, while recognising the knowledge, wisdom, and healing power of traditional foods and foodways."

📖 Featured Publication
Hardy T, Kelly JT. (2025) Applying an Indigenous strengths-based theoretical framework for nutrition-related health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia impacted by chronic kidney disease. Australian Journal of Primary Health 31, PY25078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/PY25078

📚 Learn More at Wattleseed Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing: https://www.wattleseednutrition.com

27/10/2026

📣 One week to go until the Poche Centre 2026 Research Showcase!

Join us as we celebrate this year's theme, Partnering for Impact, and hear from the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health researchers, community partners and collaborators sharing the work, relationships and insights driving positive and meaningful change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.

We are pleased to share our presenter lineup ahead of what promises to be an engaging afternoon of knowledge sharing, reflection and connection.

📅 Tuesday, 3 November 2026
🕞 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Chau Chak Wing Museum Auditorium
🎟️ Register: https://events.humanitix.com/poche-centre-2026-research-showcase

We hope you'll join us next week!

20/10/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Dr Smriti Nepal!

This week, we're shining a spotlight on Dr Smriti Nepal, a proud Nepalese woman and Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.

Smriti is a health researcher whose work focuses on Aboriginal health, community-led research, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), mental health, su***de prevention, workforce wellbeing, and co-design. She also brings expertise in alcohol and other drug prevention, having completed her PhD on alcohol policy interventions and postdoctoral research in evidence-based drug use prevention among young people.

Some of Smriti's recent highlights include:
✅ Leading the co-design of a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Support Framework for healthcare staff working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), ensuring the framework is culturally grounded, strengths-based, and responsive to workforce needs.
✅ Managing and coordinating the evaluation of a su***de prevention initiative across 25 ACCHOs in NSW, working alongside community-controlled services to identify enablers, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
✅ Contributing to research knowledge translation through co-leading the Poche Centre Journal Club, creating opportunities for researchers, practitioners, and students to engage with current evidence and its implications for policy and practice.
✅ Mentoring emerging researchers and students in Aboriginal health research, supporting culturally responsive approaches and meaningful community engagement.

Why Smriti does this work:
"I am passionate about supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through collaborative, community-led research. I feel fortunate to work alongside communities and ACCHOs to ensure research is grounded in lived experience and responds to community needs."

What motivates Smriti most?
"I am motivated by the opportunity to improve health service delivery for Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote areas, and to contribute to a healthcare system that is culturally safe, equitable, and responsive to community needs."

The impact Smriti hopes to have:
"I believe a supported and sustainable health workforce is central to improving community wellbeing. Through my work, I hope to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing support for healthcare staff and contribute to stronger, culturally safe health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities."

📖 Recent Publication:
Stewart G, Nepal S, Rowley C, Kennedy M, Finlay S, Chamberlain C, Mitchell F, Harrington T, Browne J, Bennett J, Williams K, Honeysett H, Graham S, Sherwood J, Thanakrishnan K, Elliott-Rudder M, Alarcon Espinoza C, Dickson M, Sherriff S. Indigenous breastfeeding support in Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Canada and the United States: A scoping review. Women Birth. 2026 Oct;39(5):102256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102256

📚 Research Profile: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/smriti.nepal

12/10/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Dr Shingisai Chando
This week, we're shining a spotlight on Dr Shingisai Chando, a proud Zimbabwean woman and Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. She is a qualitative and mixed-methods researcher passionate about working with children, families, and communities to improve health service delivery. Her research focuses on ensuring their voices and experiences are reflected in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health services, with a particular interest in chronic disease prevention and management among children and adolescents. She works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations to strengthen child health services and support parental leadership in health decision-making.
Her recent highlights include:
✅ Presenting a global review of Indigenous healthcare staff experiences of racism in healthcare settings at the 2026 Public Health Association of Australia Conference.
✅ Leading cross-sector engagement to ensure refugee and migrant communities are represented in a national type 1 diabetes screening.
✅ Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to explore how health services can better support children and families through culturally responsive, community-informed approaches.
✅ Contributing to research examining how structural, institutional, and interpersonal racism impacts healthcare staff and organisations.

Why Shingisai does this work: "What inspires me most is the opportunity to work alongside communities and learn from their experiences. I genuinely enjoy the research process, particularly the relationships and conversations that emerge through it. Community-led research is especially important to me because communities continually challenge and broaden my perspectives, reminding me that evidence is most valuable when it leads to outcomes that are meaningful and relevant to the people it is intended to serve."

What motivates Shingisai most: "I am passionate about contributing to equitable health outcomes and stronger health services for children and families. Supporting emerging researchers is also one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Seeing others grow in confidence, develop their own research journeys, and begin contributing their voices to important areas of research is something I find incredibly meaningful."

The impact Shingisai hopes to have: "I hope my research contributes to improving health outcomes and strengthening health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. I also hope my work helps create opportunities for children and families to have a voice throughout program development and encourages more First Nations researchers to lead research that addresses important evidence gaps."

📚 Research Profile: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/shingisai.chando

06/10/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Simone Sherriff
This week, we're shining a spotlight on Simone Sherriff, a proud Wotjobaluk woman and Senior Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.
With more than 15 years of experience working in and alongside the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector, Simone is passionate about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led research that reflects community priorities, upholds Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, and creates meaningful change for communities.
Some of Simone’s recent highlights include:
✅ Publishing a call to action advocating for greater investment in Indigenous lactation care and culturally safe breastfeeding support.
✅ Founding the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Breastfeeding Collective, a network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women working across child and maternal health to strengthen support for women, babies, families, and communities.
✅ Championing community-led approaches to maternal and child health that centre culture, self-determination, and Indigenous knowledges.
✅ Supporting research that is developed with and for community to ensure it translates into tangible improvements in programs, services, and health outcomes.
Why Simone does this work:
"I am passionate about supporting our mob to undertake research that reflects community priorities, upholds our ways of knowing, being and doing, and creates meaningful change on the ground. Seeing research translated into programs and services that have tangible benefits for community is what inspires me most."
What motivates Simone most?
"I believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should have ownership and control over research involving our communities. When research is community-led and grounded in Indigenous knowledges, it becomes a powerful tool for empowerment, self-determination, and positive change."
📖 Featured Publication
Stewart, G., Finlay, S. M., Kennedy, M., Bennett, J., Gall, A., Sherwood, J., Chamberlain, C., Dickson, M., Turner, N., Williams, K., Briggs, M., & Sherriff, S. (2026). Urgent investment needed to reclaim lactation care and training to support Indigenous women, babies, families, and communities. Health Promotion International, 41(3), daag075. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daag075.
🖤 Learn more about the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Breastfeeding Collective: https://www.instagram.com/firstnationsbreastfeeding/.

28/09/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Pani Patu
We are shining a spotlight on Pani Patu, a proud Samoan man and Operations Manager, whose work spans research leadership, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and organisational governance at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.
Drawing on experience across higher education and research, Pani is passionate about strengthening culturally responsive and ethical approaches to research engagement. His recent highlights include:
✅ Co-presenting at the Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) Conference, facilitating discussion on "From Tokenism to Trust: Addressing Blackcladding and Building Research Manager Confidence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research."
✅ Supporting culturally responsive engagement, meaningful partnership, and strengthening research impact through trust-based collaboration.
✅ Co-leading the Australian Pasifika Educators Network (APEN) to develop an ethical research engagement framework for Pacific Islander communities.
✅ Bringing together community leaders, educators, researchers, and practitioners to co-design guidance that reflects Pacific ways of knowing, being, and doing.

Why Pani does this work: "As a proud Samoan man, my work is grounded in social justice, collective wellbeing, and service. I am inspired by the opportunity to walk respectfully alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as an ally, while honouring the enduring legacy of my tuaʻā (ancestors) through tautua, a responsibility of service to community. I believe research and higher education have the potential to create meaningful change when they are guided by humility, reciprocity, and genuine relationships."

What motivates Pani most?
"I am motivated by people and relationships. My leadership approach is centred on nurturing the vā, the relational space that connects us and shapes how we work together. I am passionate about creating environments where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute. I am also driven by a desire to challenge structures that perpetuate inequity and to help create pathways where Indigenous, Pasifika, and other underrepresented voices can thrive in research and higher education."

The impact Pani hopes to have: "I hope my work contributes to a research ecosystem where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are respected as leaders, knowledge holders, decision-makers, and partners. I want to support approaches that strengthen self-determination, elevate Indigenous knowledges, and help create institutions that engage with First Nations peoples in ways that are ethical, culturally safe, and genuinely transformative."

🌏 Community Leadership: Pani also contributes to the research and advocacy agenda of the Australian Pasifika Educators Network (APEN), supporting initiatives that advance educational equity and strengthen outcomes for Pasifika communities.

21/09/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Jack DeLacy
This week, we're shining a spotlight on Jack DeLacy, Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Health (Sydney Medical School) and Senior Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. A Public Health Audiologist, Jack’s work focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child ear health and hearing, early childhood development, health equity, community-led research, and culturally safe health and medical education. Through partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, he works to address the social determinants of ear health and improve access to culturally responsive care.
Some of Jack’s recent highlights include:
✅ Supporting the ACCESS (Aboriginal Community Controlled Ear-health Support System) project, a community-led and holistic model of care designed to improve access to ear and hearing services for Aboriginal children and families.
✅ Contributing to the development of ACCESS+, which uses systems approaches to ensure community voices and priorities guide the future direction of ear health services, research, and implementation.
✅ Championing innovative approaches to care, including health navigation and integrated models of care that support children and families across the health system.
✅ Working alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to strengthen child health outcomes and promote community-led solutions.

Why Jack does this work:
“Healthy hearing is fundamental to connection. It allows us to communicate, build relationships, learn from one another, participate in education, and pass knowledge from one generation to the next. I often say that the ear is one of the most important organs in the body because it underpins so much of what connects us as people. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, hearing also supports connection to culture, language, Country, and community. I am passionate about ending avoidable childhood deafness so that every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child can thrive.”

What guides Jack’s work?
" I am immensely fortunate to learn from the strength, knowledge, and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. They continue to demonstrate world-leading approaches to caring for community, teaching, governance, research, and creating safe spaces for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. I strive to build genuine relationships and not just partnerships. This philosophy guides how I approach research, teaching, and community engagement. Meaningful change is built on trust, respect, and long-term relationships. It is a privilege to work with the Poche Centre, whose mentorship, support, and commitment to community-led research have enabled me to pursue my aspiration of helping end avoidable childhood deafness and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities to thrive."
📚 Research Profile: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/jack.delacy/about

13/09/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet A/Professor Simon Graham
This week, we're shining a spotlight on Simon Graham, a proud Narungga man, Associate Professor, and S*xual Health Team Lead at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. Simon’s research focuses on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and viral hepatitis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through collaborations across disciplines, his work has also contributed to research in smoking and va**ng, mental health, trans health, and COVID-19.
Some of Simon’s recent highlights include:
✅ Leading research that aims to improve sexual health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
✅ Returning to Australia in 2024 after six years working internationally with leading organisations and institutions across New York, London, Vancouver, Berlin, and Bangkok.
✅ Receiving the Australasian S*xual Reproductive Health Award in 2024 and the NHMRC Sandra Eades Investigator Grant Award in 2022.
✅ Leading a four-year quality improvement trial with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in regional NSW, which tripled STI and blood-borne virus testing rates and doubled the identification of asymptomatic infections among young Aboriginal people.
✅ Supporting and mentoring emerging researchers and students, including supervising postgraduate research projects and publications.

Why Simon does this work: "What inspires me about sexual health research is that while we have effective tests and treatments for infections such as chlamydia, rates continue to rise, particularly among young people. Understanding and addressing the broader drivers of infection is critical. I hope my work helps reposition sexual health testing as a normal part of healthcare for Aboriginal young people and removes the shame and embarrassment often associated with testing."

What motivates Simon most?
"Seeing students and staff publish their first papers or receive their first grants is incredibly rewarding. Supporting the next generation of researchers is one of the most meaningful parts of my role."

📖 Featured Publication
Gibberd AJ, Ford EM, Graham S, McKay CD, Chamberlain C, Williams R, Davis K, Eades SJ. Contraceptive awareness and use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth: a cross-sectional analysis from the 'Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Study'. S*x Health. 2026 Apr 9;23(2):SH25117. doi: 10.1071/SH25117. PMID: 41588924. (Simon supervised the second author throughout this research project, which was undertaken as part of a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Melbourne)

📚 Research Profile
https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/simon.graham1

06/09/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Meet Claudia Alarcon Espinoza
This week, we're shining a spotlight on Claudia, a proud Chilean woman, Senior Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, and social psychologist committed to advancing social justice, gender equity, and community wellbeing.
Claudia brings extensive experience across higher education, public policy, equity and inclusion, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Her work combines research, education and systems change to create more equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive environments.
Some of Claudia’s recent highlights include:
✅ Supporting the development of Australia's first Indigenous lactation training program through the Upholding Sovereign Knowledges project.
✅ Contributing to international Indigenous knowledge-sharing initiatives that are informing culturally responsive maternity and infant health programs: Preventing Intrapartum Fetal Hypoxia – The iSEARCH (WOMBAT) Pre-Platform Pilot.
✅ Supporting the community-informed implementation of the What Matters 2 Adults (WM2Adults) wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health consumers.
✅ Contributing to the evaluation of the Central West Mental Health and Wellbeing Program and other community-led social and emotional wellbeing initiatives.
✅ Helping strengthen culturally responsive breastfeeding support and professional training programs grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priorities.
Why Claudia does this work:
"I believe research should not only generate knowledge but also contribute to creating a more equitable, inclusive and just society. I am motivated by the opportunity to work alongside communities and support meaningful change that strengthens wellbeing, self-determination and equity. Ultimately, I see research as a tool for empowerment that can amplify voices, challenge injustice, and support healthier and more equitable futures for all."
📚 Research Profile
🔗View Claudia’s academic profile: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/claudia.alarconespinoza

Address

Edward Ford Building (A27), University Of Sydney
Sydney, NSW
2050

Opening Hours

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Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/our-research/research-centres/the-poche-centre-for-indigenous-health.html

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