Welcome
Welcome
Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
Onemda specialises in Indigenous public health with a focus on research and teaching aimed at improving health and wellbeing outcomes in Australia and elsewhere through partnerships and collaborations and strong ethical foundations.
The Unit Heads
The Units

Indigenous Health Equity Unit
This Unit led by, Professor Cath Chamberlain, is a research and teaching unit at The University of Melbourne committed to partnering with and producing research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Unit undertakes rigorous, innovative research and teaching, centred on the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to promote wellbeing. The work is underpinned by the principles of self-determination.
The Unit works in partnership with communities and appreciate the support of Community Elders. The group's academic program is based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and principles, and respects the contribution and cultural background of all who work with us.

The Indigenous Studies Unit
This Unit led by Professor Marcia Langton, AO conducts research to improve outcomes in Indigenous health issues, particularly alcohol misuse and family violence, Indigenous data governance, cultural heritage, technology and resource management. We contribute to Parliamentary reviews, cross-platform media, and policy development. The group’s highly regarded expertise has led to significant policy and legislative shifts at all levels (e.g., Alcohol Management Plans in the Northern Territory), and its engagement in the implementation of major policy reforms (e.g. the Commonwealth’s Closing the Gap Priority Reforms). The Unit has worked with Indigenous communities, the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and others to ensure the return of Aboriginal Ancestral Remains to communities of origin. Other crucial work involves the reporting and negotiating with communities around cultural material held in museum and institutional collections, including secret or sacred items.

Indigenous Eye Health Unit
The Unit led by A/Prof Mitchell Anjou aims to Close the Gap for Vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through world-leading research, policy formation, advocacy and implementation. Research has established the state of Indigenous eye health in Australia and current service availability and explored barriers and enablers to the delivery of eye health services for Indigenous peoples. The evidence gathered has guided the development of a comprehensive policy framework that is supported by the Indigenous and mainstream health sectors and government. The Unit is currently actively engaged in providing the necessary advocacy and technical support to Close the Gap for Vision.
Onemda Executive Committee
The Onemda Executive Group is the senior management group of the Onemda: Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing, Equity and Healing Centre with overall responsibility for the management of Onemda including the teaching, research and translation activities of the Centre. The Onemda Executive Group in particular makes recommendations to the Director of Onemda in relation to the allocation of resources to achieve Centre, Unit, School and University goals and objectives.
Onemda specialises in Indigenous public health with a focus on research and teaching aimed at improving health and wellbeing outcomes in Australia and elsewhere through partnerships and collaborations and strong ethical foundations.
Members:
Prof Cath Chamberlain | Director, Head of the Indigenous Health Equity Unit |
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Prof Marcia Langton | Head of the Indigenous Studies Unit |
A/Prof Mitchell Anjou | Head of the Indigenous Eye Health Unit |
Ms Meg Cox | Centre Manager |
Dr Kristen Smith | Indigenous Studies Unit, Research and Grants Sub-Committee |
Dr Elise Davis | Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Research and Grants Sub-Committee |
Ms Andrea Clarke | Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Teaching and Learning Sub-Committee |
Ms Deb Bowman | Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Community Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Sub-Committee |
Sub-Committees
Research and Grants Sub-Committee
The purpose of the Onemda Research and Grants Committee is to oversee the implementation of the Onemda Strategic Plan activities related to research and grants.
Priorities include:
- Support collaboration on research grants and tender submissions;
- Identify and share opportunities within the University and with our partners for building researchers’ capacity for grant writing;
- Identify strategies and opportunities to support capacity building of research staff;
- Support the sharing of best practice Indigenous research ethics and processes;
- Contribute to reporting requirements for Onemda related to research and grants.
Members:
- Dr Kristen Smith
- Dr Maedeh Aboutalebi Karkavandi
- Dr Kim Jones
- A/Prof Mitchell Anjou
- Prof Cath Chamberlain
- Dr Tess Bright
- Ms Leanne Slade
Teaching and Learning Sub-Committee
Members:
- Ms Andrea Clarke
- Prof Cath Chamberlain
- Dr Tess Bright
- Mr Levi Murray
- Ms Pravina Shagar
- Prof Richard Chenhall
- Prof Rosemary McKenzie
- Prof Julie Satur
Community Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Sub-Committee
Members:
- Ms Deb Bowman
- Prof Cath Chamberlain
- Mr Guy Gillor
- Ms Leanne Slade
- Ms Rebekah Julian