Prof Maxine Whittaker ~ Dean, Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences
College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences
- About
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- Teaching
- Interests
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- Professional
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- Global health advocacy
- Co-Chair WHO Research panel for Reproductive program of the Human reproduction program (HRP)
- Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network
- capacity building and development
- Research
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- Global health policy
- Medical anthropology
- Malaria and other infectious diseases
- One Health
- Health systems research
- Operational and implementation research
- Teaching
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- global public health
- health systems
- One Health
- Experience
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- 2009 to 2016 - Professor, University of Queensland School of Public Health (Brisbane, Australia)
- 2009 to 2014 - Director, Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health (Brisbane, Australia)
- 1994 to 2001 - Senior Lecturer/Lecturer, University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia)
- 1991 to 1992 - Visiting Fellow, Child Survival Project, Department of Demography and National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, (Canberra)
- 1989 to 1990 - Operations Research Scientist,, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
- 1986 to 1988 - Resident Associate,, The Population Council, (Lusaka, Zambia)
Maxine A. Whittaker, MBBS, MPH , PhD, FAFPHM, GAICD is the Dean of the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences at James Cook University. She is Co-Director of the World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre for Vector Borne Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases. In 2017 she was awarded the Royal Australasian College of Physicians International Medal in recognition of outstanding service in developing countries.
Experience Maxine Whittaker has lived and worked in Bangladesh, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guniea and worked extensively in China, Fiji, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Thailand , Tonga, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. She has extensive experience in project and programme design in health and development, especially in infectious diseases, One Health, and sexual and reproductive health, gender analysis, and using rapid formative research and anthropological methods and for a variety of international development partner and NGO organizations. From 2006-2009 she was the Senior Technical Health Adviser to the National Department of Health in Papua New Guinea where she was involved in health and development policy work, technical programme support especially in disease control and family health services, and a member of several national committees to advise the Ministry of Health.
Research Interests Maxine Whittaker research interests are in fields of operational and health services research and medical anthropology, with a primary focus on sexual and reproductive health, health seeking behaviour and quality of care. She has a special interest in the issue of scaling-up pilot programmes into policy and practice, and as a founding member of Expandnet has contributed to a body of work published by WHO on this topic. She is co-chaired the Health Systems panel (http://www.malariaeradication.org/malera-refresh) and is recognized as one of the leaders in re-invigorating social sciences and community participation in the malaria research agenda.
Since 2009 has been CI on research and project grants in the Asia Pacific region worth more than $A80 million including several from DFAT published more than 80 peer reviewed publications, and several project documents for development partners and countries, policy briefings, briefing papers, book chapters and commissioned papers.
Present service and leadership roles
- Civil Society Representative to the Global Fund Regional Artemisin Initiatives Regional Steering Committee (https://www.malariafreemekong.org/contents/malaria-free-mekong-a-platform-of-communities-and-civil-society-organizations-announces-the-appointment-of-global-fund-rai-rsc-cso-representatvies-amd-alternates)
- Co- Chair of the WHO Research Project Review Panel (RP2) of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research including the WHO Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/about_us/en/).
-- Member of the Technical Reference Group of the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia)(https://indopacifichealthsecurity.dfat.gov.au/) - -
- Member Queensland Government's Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Council (2019- now) (https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/biosecurity/policy-legislation-regulation/biosecurity-queensland-ministerial-advisory-committee).
- Member of the Public Health Association of Australia
- Executive Committee of Australian Network of WHO Collaborating Centres.
Previous positions She was previously (2008-2016) Professor of International and Tropical Health and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Health Information Systems, Director of the Health Information Systems Knowledge Hub, Program Director of the Australian Initiative on Control and Elimination of Malaria/Pacific Malaria Initiative Support Centre and co-Secretariat of the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network.
Previous service and leadership roles She was the Chair of the Board of Trustees (2019), Board of Trustee member ( 2014-2019) and member of the Scientific Advisory Group of icddr,b (https://www.icddrb.org/).
Other professional activities:
· Temporary adviser to World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) to 4th meeting Technical Advisory Group on Universal Health Coverage (19-21 August 2020)
· Temporary adviser to World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) to Consultation on Reaching the Unreached (27-29 July 2020)
· Section Editor for Health Systems and Social Science of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
· Associate Editor for Malaria Journal and of Public Health Action
· Senior Editor for Biomedicine Hub
· Member of the RBM Country and Regional Support Partners Committee
· Member of the Australian Anthropological Society
· Technical Advisor, International Development, Storyboxes (https://www.thestoryboxes.com/)
· Mentor in the ASTMH Committee on Global Health (ACGH) Mentorship Initiative
· Mentor in the Catalyse Mentorship program - advancing women scientists in Aboriginal and Tropical health (Menzies Institute)(2019)
Media Events
Radio:
· The Health Report - Guest profile
· The Health Report: Reducing death in childbirth (Aired: Monday 8 November 2010 8:39AM)
· The Global Body Psrt 4: The future of the human race https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/maxine-whittaker/3917878 (Broadcast Mon 14 Jan 2013, 5:30pm)
The Conversation
https://theconversation.com/profiles/maxine-whittaker-349567/articles
YouTube/Videos
- Situational Analysis on health services in northern Australia webinar for CRC NA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gKjoddtCQc and related publications https://crcna.com.au/resources/publications/northern-australia-health-service-delivery-situational-analysis-webinar and
- Open Access (JCU Open Access Week 2019)
- Introduction to One Health https://youtu.be/f2URbp318eg
- Mi aigris long koins bilong em' ('I was attracted to him because of his money'): Polygamy, sexual agency and women in contemporary Papua New Guinea The 2013 Australasian HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Conference, Recorded on 21-25 October 2013 in Darwin, Australia. -https://www.sexualhealthvisual.com/Video_by_Agnes_Mek_on_Mi_aigris_long_koins_bilong_em_I_was_attracted_to_him_because_of_his_money_Polygamy_sexual_agency_and_women_in_contemporary_Papua_New_Guinea_1.html#lectures
Books
Just released: One Health: The Theory and Practice of Integrated health approaches 2nd edition. October 2020 Edited by Jakob Zinsstag, Esther Schelling, Lisa Crump, MaxineWhittaker, Marcel Tanner ands Craig Stephen
- Honours
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- Awards
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- 2017 - Royal College of Physicians International Medal
- 1985 - • 1985 Life Member International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA)
- 1984 - Honorary Life Member, Australian Medical Students Association
- 2001 - Dr Jerusha Jhirad Oration Award. Presented at the Silver Jubilee Conference of Medical Women International Association (MWIA)
- Fellowships
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- 1998 - University of Queensland Short Fellowship
- Publications
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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
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- Edelman A, Grundy J, Larkins S, Topp S, Atkinson D, Patel B, Strivens E, Moodley N and Whittaker M (2020) Health service delivery and workforce in northern Australia: a scoping review. Rural and Remote Health, 20 (4), DOI:10.22605/RRH6168.
- Heard E, Fitzgerald L, Whittaker M, Va'ai S and Mutch A (2020) Exploring intimate partner violence in Polynesia: a scoping review. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 21 (4), pp. 769-778, DOI:10.1177/1524838018795504.
- Larkins S, Carlisle K, Harrington H, MacLaren D, Lovo E, Harrington R, Alves L, Rafai E, Delai M and Whittaker M (2020) From the frontline: strengthening surveillance and response capacities of the rural workforce in the Asia-Pacific region. How can grass-roots implementation research help? Frontiers in Public Health, 8, Article: 507, DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00507.
- Mashkour N, Jones K, Kophamel S, Hipolito T, Ahasan S, Walker G, Jakob-Hoff R, Whittaker M, Hamann M, Bell I, Elliman J, Owens L, Saladin C, Crespo-Picazo J, Gardner B, Loganathan A, Bowater R, Young E, Robinson D, Baverstock W, Blyde D, March D, Eghbali M, Mohammadi M, Freggi D, Giliam J, Hale M, Nicolle N, Spiby K, Wrobel D, Parga M, Mobaraki A, Rajakaruna R, Hyland K, Read M and Ariel E (2020) Disease risk analysis in sea turtles: a baseline study to inform conservation efforts. PLoS ONE, 15 (10), Article: e0230760., DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0230760.
- Naing C, Whittaker M and Tanner M (2020) Multisectoral approach to support use of insecticide- treated net for malaria prevention among mobile and migrant populations in Myanmar: a systematic review. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 222, pp. s717-s725, DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiaa335.
- Nguyen P, Okely A, Whittaker M, Siba P and Pomat W (in press) Millennium development goals in Papua New Guinea: towards universal education. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, , DOI:10.1007/s10671-019-09255-4.
- Heard E, Fitzgerald L, Vaai S, Whittaker M, Aiolupotea T, Collins F and Mutch A (2019) Intimate partner violence prevention: using interactive drama for intimate relationship education with young people in Samoa. Sex Education, 19 (6), pp. 691-705, DOI:10.1080/14681811.2019.1597697.
- Heard E, Fitzgerald L, Va'ai S, Collins F, Whittaker M and Mutch A (2019) 'In the Islands people don’t really talk about this stuff, so you go through life on your own': an arts-based study exploring intimate relationships with young people in Samoa. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21 (5), pp. 526-542, DOI:10.1080/13691058.2018.1492021.
- Naing C, Whittaker M, Htet N, Aye S and Mak J (2019) Efficacy of antimalarial drugs for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Asian region: a network meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 14 (12), Article: e0225882, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0225882.
- Quah Y, Waltmann A, Karl S, White M, Vahi V, Darcy A, Pitakaka F, Whittaker M, Tisch D, Barry A, Barnadas C, Kazura J and Mueller I (2019) Molecular epidemiology of residual Plasmodium vivax transmission in a paediatric cohort in Solomon Islands. Malaria Journal, 18, Article: 106, DOI:10.1186/s12936-019-2727-9.
- Beknazarova M, Whiley H, Judd J, Shield J, Page W, Miller A, Whittaker M and Ross K (2018) Argument for Inclusion of Strongyloidiasis in the Australian National Notifiable Disease List. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 3 (2), pp. 61-70, DOI:10.3390/tropicalmed3020061.
- Book Chapters
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- Nyundo L, Eagle L and Whittaker M (2021) Relevance of social marketing in the Global South's Family Planning Programmes: a case of Zambia. In: Broadening Cultural Horizons in Social Marketing: comparing case studies from Asia-Pacific. Springer, Singapore, pp. 181-210
- More
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 77+ research outputs authored by Prof Maxine Whittaker from 1990 onwards.
- Current Funding
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Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.
Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - ASEAN-Pacific Infectious Disease Detection and Response (APIDDaR) Program
Securing the frontline for health secure communities
- Indicative Funding
- $795,776 over 3 years (administered by Red Cross Australia)
- Summary
- The aim is to build capacity to detect/respond to infectious disease outbreaks through frontline public health (human and animal) workforce which includes community members, volunteers, community health workers, environmental health workers, biosecurity and environmental officers and primary health care staff. This will be achieved through: Strengthened capability at community/primary care levels to anticipate outbreaks; Improved response at early stages of potential outbreaks; A quality timely and thorough response to outbreaks at the frontline level ; An operational learning and feedback process for continued improvement and currency of detection of and response to infectious diseases outbreaks.
- Investigators
- Maxine Whittaker, Lisa Natoli, Allen Ross, Effie Espino, Lars Henning, Sarah Larkins, Sarah-Jane Wilson, Sandra Downing, Tammy Allen, Mahmudur Rahman, Sayera Banu, Nadia Ali Rima, Asharul Islam, Sukanta Chowdhury, Syed Moinuddin Satter and Veronica Bell (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Red Cross Australia, Icddr,b, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine & Dentistry and Australian Research Centre for Medical Engineering (UWA))
- Keywords
- Health security; Infectious Diseases; Surveillance Systems; Community Engagement; One Health; Health workforce development
Anglo American Exploration (Australia) Pty Ltd - Contract Research
Health SDG targets (global mining town)
- Indicative Funding
- $89,621 over 1 year (administered by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
- Summary
- The overall aim is to design interventions to support host communities the Sustainable development goal health outcome targets by 2030. The objectives are to: i) conduct a baseline assessment of existing data to estimate progress towards the health/wellbeing targets in the host countries (Peru, Australia, Canada, Chile and Southern Africa), ii) conduct baseline assessment in the host communities in relation to the SDG health and wellbeing targets, iii) design , cost and develop implementation plans for follow-on funding tailored interventions based on best practice evidence, to address the priority targets, iv) develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress
- Investigators
- Maxine Whittaker, Mitzy Gafos, Brian Rice, Ana Maria Buller, Meghna Ranganathan, Stefania Dringus, Renay Werner, Cesar Bazam, Ximena Ceo and Miguel Fontes in collaboration with Michael Jana, Lebohang Letsela, Ralelani Daswa, Rafael Miranda, Jhonny Acevedo and Rodrigo Crivelaro (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Research for Trining and Development, Innovation for Development, Universidad de Chile, John Snow Inc. and Soul City Institute for Social Justice)
- Keywords
- Sustainable Development Goals; Health; Mining communities; Disease Control
CRC for Developing Northern Australia Scheme - Contract Research
Northern Australia Health Service Delivery Situation Analysis
- Indicative Funding
- $149,534 over 1 year
- Summary
- This project will identify key challenges and opportunities facing the northern Australian health service delivery sector and explore potential developmental scenarios and/or identify the most strategic research projects and development priorities for further investment. This will include but not be limited to infrastructure, clinical issues, policy, new models of care, investment, knowledge, training and human capital gaps and the research or alternative solutions to address them. This report will provide recommendations in all key areas identified to provide a better environment for growth and development on the northern Australian health service delivery sector.
- Investigators
- Maxine Whittaker in collaboration with Edward Strivens, Robyn Aitken, David Atkinson, Sarah Larkins and Stephanie Topp (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Cairns & Hinterland Health Service District, Top End Health Service, Rural Clinical School of Western Australia and College of Medicine & Dentistry)
- Keywords
- Northern Australia health sector; Health Economics; Health Policy; Health System evaluation
Australian Research Council - Special Research Initiatives Scheme
Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine
- Indicative Funding
- $42,000,000 over 7 years
- Summary
- AITHM intends to build Australian research capacity in tropical health and biomedical sciences, to improve national capacity to identify risks to health security and biosecurity from re-emerging infectious diseases prevalent in tropical countries, and to undertake research which targets improvements in health outcomes and service delivery for regional, remote, and under-served communities in tropical Australia. This requires expansion of tropically based research facilities, the researcher skill base, and research programs.
- Investigators
- Louis Schofield, Maxine Whittaker, Robyn McDermott and Alex Loukas (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
- Keywords
- Tropical Health and Medicine; Northern Australia
Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Tropical Disease Research Regional Collaboration Initiative
Tropical partnerships to strengthen health systems responses to infectious diseases threats
- Indicative Funding
- $2,000,000 over 2 years
- Summary
- The Asia Pacific Region is facing frequent threats from emerging and existing infectious diseases. The capacity to mount a timely effective response is compromised in poorly functioning health systems seen in parts of the region. The resulting vulnerability affects the whole region, including Australia. Strengthening capacity to prepare and respond to these threats is thus a shared responsibility. This proposal aims to tackle the problem through collaboration with institutions, researchers and policy makers across the region, building on long held partnerships.
- Investigators
- Emma McBryde, Sarah Larkins, Archie Clements, Barend (Ben) Marais, Peter Siba, Maxine Whittaker, Tom Burkot, David MacLaren, George Milne and Richard Speare (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Australian National University, The University of Sydney, Institute of Medical Research (PNG), College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and The University of Western Australia)
- Keywords
- Health system strengthening; Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Disease Surveillance
- Supervision
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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
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- The Engagement and Participation of Faith based Organizations in the Health System Reforms in Soloman Islands (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- Strengthening community empowerment approaches to Aedes species mosquito management in a high-income country setting: comparative case studies within Queensland, Australia. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
- Assessing primary health service capacity to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in the Kingdom of Bhutan; a healthy policy and systems analysis (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
- Transition from Girlhood to Womanhood: Experiences of Adolescent Females in Papua New Guinea. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Developing Local Models to Strengthen and Improve Capacity in Health Research in Melanesia (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
- Completed
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- An investigation of the barriers to infectious disease interventions in Indigenous Australian communities (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Constructing the contraceptive decision-making process: a framework for family planning programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Zambian case study. (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Collaboration
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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.- 5+ collaborations
- 4 collaborations
- 3 collaborations
- 2 collaborations
- 1 collaboration
- Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)
Connect with me
- Phone
- Location
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- 87.030A, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences (Townsville campus)
- Advisory Accreditation
- Advisor Mentor
- Find me on…
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My research areas
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