Professor Bep Uink has been appointed Director of Edith Cowan University’s Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
It’s the first time in the specialist health network’s 27-year history that an Aboriginal person will hold the role. Professor Uink also becomes the first female Director of HealthInfoNet.
A Noongar woman from Perth, Professor Uink said she’s looking forward to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities through her new position.
“HealthInfoNet has built an excellent reputation nationally and I am looking forward to working with the national stakeholders and peak bodies as we strive to support evidence-based decision making to help achieve the best possible outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health,” she said.
A nationally respected voice, Professor Uink has a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) and PhD and most recently held the role of Dean of Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at Murdoch’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Professor Uink’s research focused on understanding how socially determined disadvantage impacts the social emotional wellbeing of young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and how social systems, such as higher education, can support young peoples’ wellbeing.
She has led a program of Aboriginal youth mental health research informed by community needs and strengths. The program secured over $6.5 million in funding, including from the NHMRC for the Walkern Katatjdin (Rainbow Knowledge) study.
This important research has informed the 10-Year National Action Plan for LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing, and its findings have been instrumental in advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ inclusion in national health strategies.
Professor Uink has also been leading the ARC Discovery Indigenous project, Racism and Allyship in Aboriginal Youth Spaces (RAAYS), which examines the impact of daily racism on Aboriginal adolescents’ wellbeing and explores how non-Indigenous adults can prevent and interrupt racism.
“Bep’s dedication to improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing has made her a respected voice in the field, so her experience and passion will undoubtedly further the impactful work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet,” said Professor Dan McAullay, Dean of ECU’s Kurongkurl Katitjin Centre for Indigenous Education and Research,
Professor McAullay said the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet was an integral part of Kurongkurl Katitjin and was well respected for providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.
“Professor Uink will be the HealthInfoNet’s third Director since it was founded by GP, Professor Neil Thomson who led for 17 years before handing over to Professor Neil Drew for the past 10 years, both who have left an amazing legacy,” Professor McAullay said.
Heading towards retirement after his 10-year contribution to the role, Professor Drew said Professor Uink’s appointment was a proud “passing of the baton moment” .
Professor Bep Uink commenced in the role on 7 October 2024.