Associate Professor Jacqueline Stephens is an epidemiologist who conducts research focused on identifying and eliminating healthcare inequity, particularly for people living in rural and remote locations. Her research uses ‘big data’ in a mixed methods approach by contextualising epidemiological findings with community narratives to better understand the epidemiological context.

Her research program covers a range of health issues, including childhood ear health, maternal healthcare, communicable diseases, climate change, and healthcare access during disasters. She uses research evidence to support the co-creation of community-informed and led strategies to eliminate the inequitable impact of these conditions on priority populations. 

She is a member of the 🍃 Future Child Health research group, the 🌏 Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) network, and the 🐟 Algal Bloom Shed (formerly Bloomin'Algae). She reports for 🦠 Epicore, was an expert reviewer of the United Nations’ Global Sustainable Development Report 2023, and contributed to the UNESCO Open Science Toolkit: Data Policies for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science.  

She is an expert on data linkage ethics and is a member of the International Network of Epidemiology in Policy Executive Committee and the HDA Scientific Review Committee. Previously, she has been a member of the SA Health HREC (2016-2026), the International Science Council's Committee on Data (CODATA) ECR Network, the Australasian Epidemiological Association Executive Council (2021-2023) and the Public Health Association (SA Branch) committee (2019-2022).

As an avid supporter of science communication and encouraging STEM careers for young people, she is a current member of the Australian Science Communicators National Council and was previously the Chair of the South Australian National Science Week committee (2017-2026). She engages regularly with the community via TV, radio, newspaper, and at 'sciency' events.

• Patient decision making: Surgery (1)
• Epidemiology: Kidney health (1)
• Epidemiology: STI/HIV (1)

Master (MPH/MSc) Dissertation Supervisions:

• Climate Change (1)
• Machine Learning (1)
• Maternal Health (3)
• Tobacco Control (1)

MD Research Supervisions:

• Ear health (1)
• Machine Learning (1)

Honours Supervisions:

• Epidemiology: Hepatitis (1)

• Principal PhD supervisor: , Health Systems: Maternal health (2), Health Systems: Ear Health (2)
• Associate PhD supervisor: Health Systems: Kidney health (1), Consumer experience: Maternal health (1), Health Systems: ICU care (1)

Master (MPH) candidates:

• Epidemiology: STI/HIV (1)

MD Research candidates:

• Health Systems: Primary healthcare: Rural (2)

A/Prof Jacqueline Stephens is a member of:

• Public Health Association of Australia
• Australasian Epidemiological Association
• International Epidemiological Association

A/Prof Jacqueline Stpehens has been invited health data expert at various forums, including at the 4th International Workshop on Participatory Surveillance in Cambodia, November 2022. She was a key contributor to writing the UNESCO Data Policies for Times of Crisis facilitated by Open Science toolkit.

• Samantha Rattos, Project Manager
• Dr Celine Northcott, Research Associate
• Dale Coghlan, Patient Engagement Officer
• Dr Eleonora Dal Grande, Biostatistician
• Lisa Callahan, PhD candidate & Audiologist
• Dr Amanda Machell, Adjunct Research Fellow
• Dr Syeda Fatima, Adjunct Research Associate