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

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

Robertson J, Fitts M, Petrucci J, McKay D, Hubble G and Clough A (2020) Cairns Mental Health Co?Responder Project: essential elements and challenges to programme implementation. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 29 (3), pp. 450-459, DOI:10.1111/inm.12679.
Veli-Gold S, Gilroy J, Clough A, Thompson F, Bohanna I, Fitts M, Esterman A, Fleming J and Maruff P (2020) Presenting to hospital emergency: analysis of clinical notes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients with traumatic brain injury in North Queensland. Australian Aboriginal Studies, (1), pp. 54-65.
Bohanna I, Fitts M, Bird K, Fleming J, Gilroy J, Clough A, Esterman A, Maruff P and Potter M (2019) The potential of a narrative and creative arts approach to enhance transition outcomes for Indigenous Australians following traumatic brain injury. Brain Impairment, 20 (Special issue 2), pp. 160-170, DOI:10.1017/BrImp.2019.25.
Carr J, Lalara J, Lalara G, Smith M, Quaill J, Clough A, Lowell A and Barker R (2019) What is the best way to keep walking and moving around for individuals with Machado-Joseph disease? A scoping review through the lens of Aboriginal families with Machado-Joseph disease in the Top End of Australia. BMJ Open, 9 (9), Article: e032092, DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032092.
Carr J, Lalara J, Lalara G, O'Hare G, Massey L, Kenny N, Pope K, Clough A, Lowell A and Barker R (2019) 'Staying strong on the inside and outside' to keep walking and moving around: perspectives from Aboriginal people with Machado Joseph Disease and their families from the Groote Eylandt Archipelago, Australia. PLoS ONE, 14 (3), Article: e0212953, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0212953.
Fitts M, Bird K, Gilroy J, Fleming J, Clough A, Esterman A, Maruff P, Fatima Y and Bohanna I (2019) A qualitative study on the transition support needs of Indigenous Australians following traumatic brain injury. Brain Impairment, 20 (2), pp. 137-159, DOI:10.1017/BrImp.2019.24.
Fitts M, Condon T, Gilroy J, Bird K, Bleakley E, Matheson L, Fleming J, Clough A, Esterman A, Maruff P and Bohanna I (2019) Indigenous traumatic brain injury research: responding to recruitment challenges in the hospital environment. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19 (1), Article: 172, DOI:10.1186/s12874-019-0813-x.
Graham V and Clough A (2019) Need everyone helping to keep off because everyone helping to keep on” – reducing harms from cannabis use in remote Indigenous Australian communities involves more than just users. Substance Use & Misuse, 54 (5), pp. 699-712, DOI:10.1080/10826084.2018.1504078.
Peck Y, Clough A, Culshaw P and Liddell M (2019) Multi-drug cocktails: impurities in commonly used illicit drugs seized by police in Queensland, Australia. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 201, pp. 49-57, DOI:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.03.019.
Rouen C, Clough A and West C (2019) Non-fatal deliberate self-harm in three remote Indigenous communities in far north Queensland, Australia. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 40 (6), pp. 422-428, DOI:10.1027/0227-5910/a000589.
West C, Fitts M, Rouen C, Muller R and Clough A (2019) Cause and incidence of injuries experienced by children in remote Cape York Indigenous communities. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 25 (2), pp. 157-162, DOI:10.1071/PY18175.
Clough A, Fitts M, Muller R, Ypinazar V and Margolis S (2018) A longitudinal observation study assessing changes in indicators of serious injury and violence with alcohol controls in four remote indigenous Australian communities in far north Queensland (2000-2015). BMC Public Health, 18, Article: 1126, DOI:10.1186/s12889-018-6033-1.

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 149+ 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.

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation - Research Grant

Health informatics for mental health at FNQ

Indicative Funding: $5,000 over 1 year
Summary: This project will construct a mental health database combining demographic, household economic, geographic and pharmaceutical information on 1000 unique emergency mental health related admissions at four FNQ Hospital and Health Services, Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa and Atherton. The construction of the database will follow the relevant privacy and data security protocols. It would then be used for a more detailed evidence-based explanation of patterns and variation of incidents adjusting for confounding and contributing factors and offsets including economic and demographic factors such as age-stratified population, household income, existing co-morbidities and lifestyle choices.
Investigators: Sourav Das and Alan Clough (College of Science & Engineering, College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Mental Health; spatial epidemiology; health informatics

Emergency Medicine Foundation - Leading Edge

Emergency Examination Authorities and their Impacts on North Queensland Hospitals

Indicative Funding: $92,979 over 2 years
Summary: Emergency Departments (EDs) receive persons suffering major disturbances in their mental capacities, detained and transported by police or ambulance. The proposed study will fill a gap in literature by providing basic information about the challenges ED clinicians face in these complex circumstances while also documenting the need for information to guide the difficult decisions required when treating such patients.
Investigators: Richard Stone, Ulrich Orda, Rajesh Sehdev, Neale Thornton, Alan Clough, Kristy Grant and Jessica Watt (Childrens Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, North West Hospital and Health Service, Townsville Hospital and Health Services, Mackay Hospital and Health Service, College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Emergency Medicine; Mental Health

Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre Limited - Contract Research

Strengthening pre-hospital interventions and post-discharge care strategies for persons experiencing mental health crises in north Queensland HHS districts: preliminary data fundamental for a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation

Indicative Funding: $50,000 over 2 years
Summary: In five north Queensland HHS districts, the project will: 1. Compile available data and analyse trends and patterns in involuntary transport of Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons to the region?s hospital emergency departments (EDs) by Queensland?s Police (QPS) and Ambulance Services (QAS). ? `Emergency Examination Authorities? (EEAs) and `Emergency Examination Orders? (EEOs) will provide quantitative data. 2. Document the post-discharge care services, treatments and supports provided to Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons who experience mental health crises and involuntary transport to an ED for emergency examination. In-depth interviews with local experienced clinicians, service providers, stakeholders and mental health consumer advocacy and support groups
Investigators: Alan Clough and Kristy Grant in collaboration with Gillian Yearsley, Richard Stone, Gregory Pratt, John Gilroy, Joe Petrucci, Angela Evans, Kate Fenech, Neale Thornton, Rajesh Sehdev, Ulrich Orda, Trent Wilson and Frankie Clive (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, North Queensland Primary Health Network, Cairns & Hinterland Hospital & Health Service, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Neami National, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Townsville Hospital and Health Services, North West Hospital and Health Service and Torres & Cape Hospital & Health Service)
Keywords: Mental Health; Hospital; Involuntary admission

North Queensland Primary Health Network - Contract Research

Internal Evaluation of the ex-ADF and Families Suicide Prevention Project

Indicative Funding: $60,208 over 1 year
Summary: An internal evaluation of Op Compass (OC), working collaboratively with its Staff, NQPHN and (where appropriate / required) the external evaluation team from The University of Melbourne. OC?s multi-sectorial strategies aim improve social connection and service access for ex-ADF personnel in Townsville. The theory-based evaluation will systematically evaluate context and processes in a multi-method design. Data will include: collated project records; direct observations; stakeholder interviews and focus groups. The final report will document how the program works, and make recommendations linked to academic and authoritative literature (May-June 2020; 16-24 pages, excl recommendations, appendices and references).
Investigators: Alan Clough and Veronica Graham (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Suicide Prevention; EX-DEFENCE FORCE PERSONNEL; EVALUATION & IMPLEMENTATION SICENCE

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)
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 policy 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

North Queensland Primary Health Network - Contract Research

Research Support for Suicide Prevention Planning and Implementation

Indicative Funding: $150,000 over 2 years
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 1 year
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 1 year
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

National Health & Medical Research Council - Project Grant

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

Indicative Funding: $857,768 over 4 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

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

Investigation of Involuntary Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Problems in North Queensland Regional and Remote Centres (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Warriors Helping Warriors: A mixed methods analysis of the 'Kapani Warrior" program in remote Indigenous Communities (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Clubfoot in the Northern Territory (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Knowledge and Attitudes to Reproductive Technology among Aboriginal Families who are at risk of Machado-Joseph Disease (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Implementing Large Scale, Community-Level Intervention Studies in Remote Indigenous Communities: A Realist Evaluation of the 'Cape York Cannabis Project'. (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
"Unwarranted Amplification of Criminalisation": An Unintended Consequence of the Queensland Government Introducing an Alcohol Management Plan for Mornington Shire Council (Masters , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Patient Safety: Risk Management of Paramedic Initiated Non-Transport Cases. (Masters , Primary Advisor)

Completed

Walking and moving around for families with Machado-Joseph disease living in the Top End of Australia (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
How can we use realist evaluation to better inform research into alcohol-related assaults in night-time economies? A case study using CCTV (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Risk and protective factors for violent behaviour and incarceration for Indigenous and non-Indigenous men in North Queensland (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Preventing intrauterine growth restriction and improving infant growth outcomes in Bangladesh (2017, PhD , Secondary 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.