Julian leads an internationally recognised translational research program that addresses the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual or developmental disability. 

He is a neuropsychiatrist, NHMRC Leadership Fellow, and Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health at UNSW Sydney. He previously held UNSW's inaugural Chair of Intellectual Disability Mental Health and founded the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) within the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health.  He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2025 for significant service to people with disability, particularly as a clinician and academic. He received the Research Award from the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for advancing the development of new knowledge and research to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities globally (2024); the Bob Davis Award, for substantial contributions to healthcare of people with intellectual or developmental disability in Australia, from Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (2024), the Global Health Leadership Award in Intellectual and Developmental Health Care from the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (2023), and the RANZCP Senior Research Award for the most significant contribution to psychiatric research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand over the preceding five years (2019). 

The National Centre of Excellence, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, works to improve health policy, practice and supports for people with an intellectual or developmental disability. The team leads educational resource development, health promotion, consultancy, advocacy and contributions to policy and legislation. 

Julian works with Commonwealth and State Government Departments to improve health services for people with an intellectual or developmental disability. He sits on multiple Commonwealth and State Government Committees and provide advice to regulatory bodies in relevant areas of expertise. He is a keen educator, developing curriculum, frameworks and innovative approaches to education and training in intellectual and developmental disability health. He develops innovative approaches and models of care to best meet the needs of intellectual and developmental disability.

Julian's research program spans health services evaluation, policy analysis, data linkage and clinical neuroscience. I am passionate about inclusive research practices and enjoy rich interdisciplinary collaborations.