Christy E. Newman (they/them) is Professor at the Centre for Social Research in Health, and Deputy Dean Research for UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture. 

As DDR, Christy is a passionate advocate for the contributions of the social sciences, humanities, creative and performing arts, design and built environment disciplines in supporting impactful responses to the many social, environmental, health, and geopolitical challenges we face today (see ADA Creating Impact).

At CSRH, Christy contributes to a program of social research that aims to strengthen knowledge, policy and practice on LGBTQIA+ health. As a qualitative sociologist, Christy works in multidisciplinary research teams and in collaboration with community, policy and clinical organisations to evidence the experiences of those who feel marginalised or misunderstood in mainstream health and social care systems. 

Building on two decades of research exploring the engagement of 'hard to reach' groups in the HIV and sexual health care sectors, Christy's research now focuses on strengthening models of care for queer and trans communities, and expanding knowledge regarding the health system experiences and needs of those whose bodies, identities, relationships, and/or family arrangements may confound gender and sexuality norms and assumptions.

They have published >180 research outputs as books, chapters and journal articles, in addition to reports, articles and media for communities, clinicians, and governments. And they have led or contributed to the award of >$18 million in research funding from the Australian Research Council (Discovery and Linkage schemes), National Health and Medical Research Council (MRFF, Project and Partnership schemes), public sector and for-purpose health agencies.

Recent publications include:

Current projects include: 

• GCPS+: Improving gender and sexuality inclusivity in HIV behavioral surveillance
• When caring ends: understanding and supporting informal care trajectories
• Interconnect Health Research
• Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children (ARCTYC)
• Bi+ Sexual Health and HIV Study
• Sage DEM: sexuality and/or gender diverse people living with dementia
• Inclusive mental health care for LGBTQ people in South Australia
• Sociology of health data for sexuality and gender diverse people

Selected past projects and outputs include:

• Vax4Health: co-designing immunisation services with people with disability
• Gender diversity and social change (special collection of Culture, Health & Sexuality)
• my health, our family: documenting stories of family life in the context of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• What we do well: strengths based research about Aboriginal young people's sexual wellbeing 
• Queer families: valuing stories of diversity, adversity and belonging
• Trust in digital health among communities affected by BBVs and STIs in Australia
• Sustaining sexual and reproductive health through COVID-19 pandemic restrictions