Dr Vita Christie
PhD in Health Systems and populations (2023) Macquarie University
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (2016) The University of Sydney
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (2007) Saxoncourt College, London UK
Advanced Diploma of Nutrition (2004) Nature Care College
Myers Briggs Type Indicator (2011)
I have more than a decade of experience as a Manager and Administrator of an Indigenous health centre. I hold a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from The University of Sydney and a PhD from Macquarie University. I specialise in high impact translational research in Indigenous Health and previously trained and worked as a Nutritionist. Having worked in the Indigenous health sector for more than 15 years, I have built many enduring relationships with the Indigenous communities of NSW and beyond. I have also had varied experience working with government (both state and federal levels), the NGO sector and philanthropists.
I am passionately concerned about the inequality and inequity that is experienced around the world, and particularly here in Australia. It does not make any sense to me that we live in a country that experiences such a stark contrast between privilege and underprivilege. I seek to make my contribution through my work and strive for excellence in all that I do. Prior to working in the Indigenous health sector, I travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, India, and Latin America. This travel provided great insight into nations which have struggled socioeconomically and provided contrast to Australia, a high income country, but where underprivilege still exists. It was this contrast that encouraged me to try to contribute to efforts of equity and equality.
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
Lighthouse Award for Teamwork Djurali Centre for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Research and Education, Macquarie University
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence – Outstanding contribution to the University Community The University of Sydney
Outstanding Indigenous Education Strategies Poche Centre for Indigenous Health The University of Sydney Vice Chancellor’s Award
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence – Innovation and Community Engagement The University of Sydney Vice Chancellor’s Award
Australian Financial Review Inaugural Higher Education Awards Community Engagement Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
Through my work at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, I was able to contribute to its many achievements, including a remote Aboriginal oral health service; making drinking water more readily available; the very successful Aboriginal workforce vocational training program (93% success rate over 6 years); and the increase in access to digital health and local health service delivery.
The research question for my PhD thesis was “How can breast cancer policy and practice better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia?”. The thesis looked both at the global and local context to evaluate what the most important elements are to encourage an improvement in the current health outcomes for Indigenous women, which are poorer than those of non- Indigenous women in Australia. The thesis found that both practice and policy could be improved in order to enable this change but that the effort needs to be concerted. These findings were similar to a lot of findings in the area of Indigenous health and it is my experience and long term relationships that have allowed me to work effectively in this area.