Aboriginal health researcher and advocate, Dr Juli Coffin, hopes to build on the 20-year legacy of The University of Notre Dame Australia in Western Australia’s north-west in her new role as Executive Director and Head of the University’s Broome Campus.
Dr Coffin’s arrival coincides with the start of the 2016 academic year and a number of new courses, including the Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies, commencing on the Broome Campus.
“With beautiful grounds making for a comfortable study environment, Notre Dame’s Broome Campus is unique. I look forward to working with staff, students and members of the public to ensure Notre Dame’s contribution to the Broome community continues to grow,” Dr Coffin said.
Dr Coffin is the current Chief Investigator on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)-funded Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing at the Telethon Kids Institute.
She completed a PhD which explored the Aboriginal context to inform the development of a bullying prevention program that is culturally sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal students. Dr Coffin has also published work in the areas of stroke, nutrition and the cultural security around health service and education provision for Aboriginal people.
“My passion for Aboriginal health is simply that if we want to see difference we must be allowed and supported to achieve these outcomes differently,” Dr Coffin said.
“I would like to see at least some understanding of how education can fit into our concepts of spirit, body and health and can be contextualised so they can make a difference in the lives of the everyday person.”
The University of Notre Dame’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond, welcomed Dr Coffin to the University and said her commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal people aptly reflected the mission of the Broome Campus.
“We are confident that Dr Coffin will build on the tremendous work being undertaken in Broome by all existing staff and we are excited about the future of the Campus!” Professor Hammond said.