Professor Shawana Andrews

Professor Shawana Andrews is a Palawa Trawlwoolway woman, Director of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Associate Dean Indigenous in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne.

Shawana has over 25 years’ experience working in Aboriginal health. Her career started as a clinical social worker in paediatric health during which time she worked with Victorian Aboriginal communities to enhance access to tertiary health care for Aboriginal children. Shawana completed a Master of Public Health in 2006 and worked in policy and research within the hospital system before moving to higher education.

Shawana’s PhD focused on family violence and cultural practice methodologies and in her current role she leads the Poche Centre in its delivery of Indigenous health leadership advancement. Shawana’s leadership as Associate Dean Indigenous focuses on truth-telling, Indigenous health teaching and learning, and post-doctoral pathways for Indigenous scholars. Her most recent book, Health - Spirit, Country and Culture is part of the First Knowledges series.

Shawana’s research areas include: Aboriginal graduate research candidate experiences and social capital, place and purpose of Aboriginal health leadership, Aboriginal mothering practices and family violence, Aboriginal feminisms and gendered knowledges, and cultural practice-based methodologies.