JCU > Research Portfolio > Prof Alan Clough

About

Professor Alan Clough is an Epidemiologist with a track record over the last two decades in designing, implementing and evaluating community-based interventions to reduce the disastrous effects of substance misuse in remote Indigenous communities, primarily in tropical northern Australia. Research in remote community populations is widely recognised as being amongst the most difficult. Alan has a strong track record of doing research which translates into policy and regulation.

In an unusual career path, he has worked at the community level managing alcohol issues in restricted areas in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. In his public health practice he has acted as a Member of the NT Licensing Commission (appointed by the Minister) and has heard and determined applications for restricted area declarations supported by alcohol management plans in several NT localities giving him a unique researcher's perspective on the regulatory environment.

Alan is principally recognised in Australia and internationally for his work in the difficult and often neglected area of substance misuse in remote community populations. As well as a rapidly-expanding research career, his CV describes a background in applied community development and advocacy including at the Local Government level. This experience underpins his long commitment to making positive changes at the population level. Much of his research and practice is intervention research. It has led to positive change in situations where substance misuse has been highly problematic, e.g. reducing cannabis use, reducing petrol sniffing, kava abuse, managing alcohol and investigating ways to reduce the harms from alcohol abuse, smoking cannabis and tobacco in rural and remote populations. In public health generally there is a dearth of intervention research which seeks to document change in populations and which fosters change while the research is occurring.

Interests

Teaching

Public Health Law, Research and Policy

Experience

2016 to present - Professorial Research Fellow, Cairns Institute (Cairns)
2016 to 2017 - Chair, NHMRC Career Development Award Panel (Cairns)
2010 to 2016 - Research Fellow, The Cairns Institute (Cairns Qld)
2006 to 2016 - Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, James Cook University (Cairns Qld)
2015 - Member, NHMRC Career Development Award Panel (Cairns)
2011 to 2014 - Associate Professor, Sansom Institute, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia (Honorary) (South Australia)
2012 to 2013 - Chair - Early Career Fellowship Review Panel, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
2011 to 2013 - Chair - Early Career Fellowship Review Panel, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
2012 - Member - Grant Review Panel 6A - Project Grants, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
2012 - Invited participant - Alcohol Data Workshop, NHMRC Prevention and Community Health Committee
2012 - Program Grants Review Panel - Additional Expert, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
2012 - Member, Health Research Council of New Zeland, Public Health Science Assessing Committee
2007 to 2010 - Principal Research Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research (Honorary)
2006 to 2009 - Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney (Honorary) (Sydney NSW)
2005 to 2008 - National Healht and Medical Research Council - Postdoctoral Fellow, James Cook University
2007 - Member - Grant Review Panel - NHMRC_GRP5A, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
2005 to 2007 - Senior Lecturer, School of Population, University of Queensland (Honorary) (Queensland)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2011 - Finalist, Queensland Reconciliation Awards, Queensland Police Service and James Cook University for ‘Weed-it-Out’ project.
2011 - Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award, Partnered Project, Queensland Police Service ‘Weed-it-Out’ and James Cook University ‘Cape York Cannabis Project’. 2011

Fellowships

2010 - Research Fellow - Cairns Insitute - James Cook University
2013 to 2016 - Career Development Award Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council
2006 to 2008 - Early Career Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Gould G, Stevenson L, Cadet-James Y and Clough A (2018) Cultural challenges when developing anti-tobacco messages for Indigenous Australians. Health Promotion International, 33 (2). pp. 345-355
Stevens B, Watt K, Brimblecombe J, Clough A and Judd J (2018) Development of a locally produced, balanced protein–energy food-based supplement and its acceptance by undernourished pregnant women in Northern Bangladesh. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 13 (1). pp. 100-115
West C, Muller R, Clough A and Fitts M (in press) Have alcohol management plans reduced violence against women in Cape York, Australia? Violence Against Women,
West C, Muller R and Clough A (2018) Injuries and alcohol management plans in remote Indigenous communities: a two-community comparison. Injury Prevention, 24 (3). pp. 236-239
Clough A, Margolis S, Miller A, Shakeshaft A, Doran C, McDermott R, Sanson-Fisher R, Ypinazar V, Martin D, Robertson J, Fitts M, Bird K, Honorato B, Towle S and West C (2017) Alcohol management plans in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australian communities in Queensland: community residents have experienced favourable impacts but also suffered unfavourable ones. BMC Public Health, 17 (55). pp. 1-14
Fitts M, Robertson J, Towle S, Doran C, McDermott R, Miller A, Margolis S, Ypinazar V and Clough A (2017) ‘Sly grog’ and ‘homebrew’: a qualitative examination of illicit alcohol and some of its impacts on Indigenous communities with alcohol restrictions in regional and remote Queensland (Australia). BMC Research Notes, 10.
Fitts M, Palk G, Lennon A and Clough A (2017) The characteristics of young Indigenous drink drivers in Queensland, Australia. Traffic Injury Prevention, 18 (3). pp. 237-243
Graham V, Campbell S, West C and Clough A (2017) Substance misuse intervention research in remote Indigenous Australian communities since the NHMRC 'Roadmap'. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 41 (4). pp. 424-431
Oppermann E, Brearly M, Law L, Smith J, Clough A and Zander K (2017) Heat, health, and humidity in Australia's monsoon tropics: a critical review of the problematization of 'heat' in a changing climate. WIREs Climate Change, 8 (4).
Robertson J, Fitts M and Clough A (2017) Unintended impacts of alcohol restrictions on alcohol and other drug use in Indigenous communities in Queensland (Australia). International Journal of Drug Policy, 41. pp. 34-40
Stevenson L, Campbell S, Bohanna I, Gould G, Robertson J and Clough A (2017) Establishing smoke-free homes in the Indigenous populations of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 (11).
Bird K, Fitts M and Clough A (2016) Alcohol management plans in Indigenous communities in Queensland (Australia) may have unintended implications for the care of children. Health & Justice, 4 (8). pp. 1-7

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 132+ research outputs authored by Prof Alan Clough from 1995 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Research Council - Linkage - Projects

An assessment of late night alcohol restrictions in Queensland

Indicative Funding: $56,740 over 4 years (administered by Deakin University), in partnership with Australian Rechabite Foundation ($40,000 over 4 yrs)
Summary: Alcohol-related harm is a major social order issue which requires evidence-based policy. This project capitalises on a unique window of policy adoption within Queensland to investigate the introduction of 2am cease of alcohol service for licensed venues across the entire state, assessing its impact, identifying modifiable elements and developing policy advice. Using the most sophisticated models to date, including outlet density, enforement, demographic variables and other variables, we build on our team's extensive work to build unique datasets including archival data, foot-traffic counting, key stakeholder and patron interviews to evaluate impact and identify poolicy lessons for other jurisdictions in Australia and internationally.
Investigators: Peter Miller, Kerri Coomber, Alan Clough, Jason Ferris, Tanya Chikritzhs, Kypros Kypri, Belinda Lloyd, Michael Livingstone and Jake Najman in collaboration with Michael Thorn, Meredythe Crane, Brian O'Neill and Sharon Matthews (Deakin University, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education, The University of Queensland, Curtin University of Technology, The University of Newcastle, Monash University, La Trobe University, Lives Lived Well Ltd and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre)
Keywords: Alcohol; alcohol restrictions

North Queensland Primary Health Network - Contract Research

YETI - Radio Practice Audit

Indicative Funding: $70,000 over 2 years (administered by Cairns Youth Empowered Towards Independence Inc.)
Summary: 1. Provide a formal design for the practice audit and prepare applications for relevant approvals. 2. Brief the reference group by providing progressive updates of results of the audit. 3. Design and establish an information collection system specifically tailored for the program goals and for the group of new AOD clients (in collaboration with yourself and the clinical support person). 4. Compile information from at least the following sources: a. Routine surveys of program managers b. Staff logs c. Client intake and follow-up assessments summarised and described d. Client feedback forms e. Notes from reference group meetings f. Service databases, in particular RADIO g. Others as required.
Investigators: Alan Clough and Kristy Grant (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Quality assurance; Youth; Indigenous; Substance misuse

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation - Research Grant

The Top End Smoke Free Spaces Project

Indicative Funding: $5,000
Summary: The project aims to encourage smoke free homes in remote Indigenous communities using a combination of incentives and monitoring of indoor second hand smoke exposure. Baseline data will be collected using surveys and nicotine monitoring and smoke-free homes will be encouraged through established, culturally appropriate methods.
Investigators: Kristy Grant, Christopher Rouen and Alan Clough (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Environmental tobacco smoke; Remote Indigenous communities; Public health

North Queensland Primary Health Network - Contract Research

Research Support for Suicide Prevention Planning and Implementation

Indicative Funding: $150,000
Summary: This project requires support for community coalitions in north Queensland to develop capacities to prepare a suicide prevention plan for the region from Mackay to the Cape and Torres district in four Hospital and Health Service (HHS) areas: Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Hinterland and the Torres and Cape HHSs.
Investigators: Alan Clough, Nerina Caltabiano and Caryn West (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and College of Healthcare Sciences)
Keywords: Evaluation; Suicide; Prevention; Capacity building

QLD Department of Justice & Attorney General - Queensland Corrective Services Tender

Development of an Intervention Pathway and/or models that reduce reoffending for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual offenders

Indicative Funding: $200,000 over 2 years
Summary: This project will develop a pathway for intervention for QLD Correctional Service clients who are known sexual offenders from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural backgrounds. It will involve community and criminal justice consultations and the preparation of advice for the Department.
Investigators: Andrew Day, Amon Tamatea, Shawn Ross, Alan Clough, Lynore Geia, Garry Kidd and Sharon Casey (Indigenous Education & Research Centre, University of Waikato, The University of Melbourne, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and College of Healthcare Sciences)
Keywords: Sex offender; Reintegration; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Heart Foundation - Vanguard Grant

The 'Top End' Smoke-free Spaces Project

Indicative Funding: $65,900 over 2 years
Summary: This feasibility study of an intervention t reduce SHSe in homes will be conducted in one Arnhem Land community in the Northern Territory. To achieve its two objectives will require six months from project initiation. The study will use both qualitative and quantitative methods. Evaluating an intervention to encourage smoke free homes in remote Indigenous communities using a combination of incentives and monitoring of indoor second hand smoke exposure: is an intervention and evaluation study feasible?
Investigators: Alan Clough, Matthew Wrigley and Kristy Grant in collaboration with Joy Bhulkanawuy Dhamarrandji (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and Aboriginal Resource and Development Sevices)
Keywords: Intervention Evaluation; Environmental tobacco smoke; Remote Indigenous communities

NHMRC - Project Grant

The transition from hospital to home: A longitudinal study of Indigenous traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Indicative Funding: $857,768 over 3 years
Summary: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians suffer much higher rates of head injury than the mainstream Australian population. Despite this, there have been no systematic studies of traumatic brain injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in northern Australia, this longitudinal study will document the occurrence, predictors and outcomes of key sentinel events that occur during the six month transition period from hospital to home following traumatic brain injury. The study will focus on the Northern Territory's Top End, and north Queensland. Over three years, approximately 200 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians with traumatic brain injury will be recruited, with assessments of health, wellbeing and key sentinel events made at three time points in the 6 months following injury. This study will provide the first evidence regarding the key events influencing outcomes following traumatic brain injury for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and will provide evidence regarding what supports are needed during this time.
Investigators: India Bohanna, John Gilroy, Alan Clough, Jennifer Fleming, Paul Maruff and A Esterman (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, The University of Melbourne and University of South Australia)
Keywords: Traumatic Brain Injury; Rehabilitation; Indigenous Health

Health and Family Planning Bureau of Foshan City, China - Grant

Mental Health Among Medical Professionals in Foshan City, China

Indicative Funding: $11,000 (administered by Australia China Culture & Education Exchange Centre)
Summary: This project aims to investigate mental health among medical professionals in Foshan City, China. The mental health of physicians is now recognised as a serious issue in China after a number of high profile incidences in which doctors have been attacked by patients. Of course, being a high stress occupation, mental health issues caused by professional stress and burnout have always been present among medical professionals. This study seeks to use a mix-methods approach to explore such issues.
Investigators: Wendy Li, Alan Clough, Edward Helmes, Beryl Buckby, G Xie, Xinyi Huang and Peng Li in collaboration with K Jackson (College of Healthcare Sciences, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, The Third Peoples Hospital of Foshan City, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University and Guangzhou University)
Keywords: Mental Health; Anxiety; Stress; Depression; Job Satisfaction; China; Medical Professionals

NHMRC - Career Development Fellowship

Reducing harms from substance misuse in remote indigenous communities requires interventions delivered as promised with measurable impacts?

Indicative Funding: $439,920 over 4 years
Summary: The aims of the CDF scheme will allow me to achieve my objectives in that i) I am a mid-career researcher becoming independent and self-directed, ii) my research builds on Australia?s public health research capacity, iii) my work program focuses on building and disseminating evidence for health policies that is iv) directly translated into practice and which v) engages with key components of the substance misuse prevention and treatment sector.
Investigators: Alan Clough (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Substance Abuse; Prevention; Mental Health; Methodology; community intervention; Social Determinants of Health; addiction prevention; Injury Prevention

NHMRC - Project Grant

Alcohol Management Plans (AMPs) in Remote Indigenous Communities: Their Impacts on Injury, Violence, Health and Social Indicators and Their Cost-Effectiveness In Cape York, Far North

Indicative Funding: $626,395 over 3 years
Summary: The study will describe long-term impacts on important health, economic and social outcomes of complex interventions restricting the supply of alcohol in the Cape York region of far north Queensland. The study will assess impacts of past policy shifts, program changes and local responses to the Queensland Government's Alcohol Management Plans (AMPs) implemented from 2002-03. It will provide an evaluation framework and evidence base to inform communities and governments if future policy and program adjustments are proposed in these and similar Indigenous communities elsewhere in Australia.
Investigators: Alan Clough in collaboration with Stephen Margolis, Reinhold Muller, Christopher Doran, Adrian Miller and Anthony Shakeshaft (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, The University of Queensland, Southern Cross University and The University of New South Wales)
Keywords: Alcohol; Alcohol Management Plans; Aboriginal & Torres Strait Is People; Social Indicators; Evaluation

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Impact of a physical activity program on 'walking and moving about' for individuals with Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) living in the Top End of Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Reducing Assaults in the Cairns Night Time Economy Using Realist Evaluation: A Focus on Closed Circut Television (CCTV). (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Implementing Large Scale, Community-Level Intervention Studies in Remote Indigenous Communities: A Realist Evaluation of the 'Cape York Cannabis Project'. (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
Evidence-to-Action to Reduce Impacts of Criminalisation in Communities with Alcohol Management Plans (AMPS): Effective Policies and Programs need Sound Evidence for Considered Decisions (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
Risk and Protective Factors for Violent Behaviour and Incarceration for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Men in North Queensland (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
Knowledge and Attitudes to Reproductive Technology among Aboriginal Families who are at risk of Machado-Joseph Disease (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
Patient Safety: Risk Management of Paramedic Initiated Non-Transport Cases. (Masters , Primary Advisor)
"Unwarranted Amplification of Criminalisation": An Unintended Consequence of the Queensland Government Introducing an Alcohol Management Plan for Mornington Shire Council (Masters , Primary Advisor/AM)
Chronic Hepatitis B: Raising Awareness and Enabling Health-Protective Action in the North Queensland Hmong Community (Masters , Secondary Advisor/AM)

Completed

Preventing intrauterine growth restriction and improving infant growth outcomes in Bangladesh (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Making salient messages for Indigenous tobacco control (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Improving the Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander Populations (2015, PhD , Associate Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.