Our students

Harish Kalra, PhD

• Thesis: Perinatal mental health of women in India: Evidence to inform policy
• Main supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• Associate supervisor: Dr Thach Tran
• Publications:

  Kalra H, Tran T, Nguyen H, Chandra P, Sharp H, Fisher J. Prevalence and correlates of physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner against women who are pregnant in India. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2025 Jul 10;25(1):743. doi: 10.1186/s12884-025-07840-5.

  Kalra H, Tran T, Romero L, Chandra P, Fisher J. Burden of severe maternal peripartum mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Archives of Women's Mental Health. 2022 Apr;25(2):267-275. doi: 10.1007/s00737-021-01201-9.

  Kalra H, Tran TD, Romero L, Chandra P, Fisher J. Prevalence and determinants of antenatal common mental disorders among women in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Women's Mental Health. 2021 Feb;24(1):29-53. doi: 10.1007/s00737-020-01024-0.

  Khatri GK, Tran TD, Baral S, Fisher J. Effect of the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes on symptoms of common mental disorders among women who are pregnant. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018 Mar 1;228:238-247. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.12.016.

Chethana Mudunna, PhD

• Thesis: Mental health of adolescents living in Sri Lanka: Multiple methods research to address policy evidence gaps
• Main supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• Associate supervisor: Dr Thach Tran, Associate Professor Josefine Antoniades and Professor Miyuru Chandradasa
• Publications:

  Mudunna C, Chandradasa M, Epasinghe KA, Antoniades J, Weerasinghe M, Tran T, Sumanasiri S, Fisher J. Sri Lankan School Student and Teacher Perspectives of Adolescent Mental Health and Its Determinants: A Qualitative Exploration. Healthcare. 2026; 14(3):311. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14030311.

  Mudunna C, Chandradasa M, Tran TD, Antoniades J, Sumanasiri S, Fisher J. Prevalence and determinants of mental health problems experienced by school-going adolescents in Sri Lanka. Global Mental Health (Cambridge, England). 2025 Sep 17;12:e104. doi: 10.1017/gmh.2025.10055.

  Mudunna C, Tran T, Antoniades J, Chandradasa M, Fisher J. Mental health of adolescents in countries of South-East Asia: A policy review. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2025 Mar;105:104386. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2025.104386.

  Mudunna C, Weerasinghe M, Tran T, Antoniades J, Romero L, Chandradasa M, Fisher J. Nature, prevalence and determinants of mental health problems experienced by adolescents in south Asia: a systematic review. The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. 2025 Jan 21;33:100532. doi: 10.1016/j.lansea.2025.100532.

  Mudunna C, Antoniades J, Tran T, Fisher J. Factors influencing the attitudes of young Sri Lankan-Australians towards seeking mental healthcare: a national online survey. BMC Public Health. 2022 Mar 19;22(1):546. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12842-5.

Natasha Davidson, PhD

• Thesis: Preventive sexual and reproductive health care for women from refugee-like backgrounds In Australia
• Main supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• Associate supervisor: Dr Karin Hammarberg
• Publications:

  Davidson N, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. Barriers to and Enablers of Preventive Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Among Women Seeking Asylum in Melbourne, Victoria: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025 Dec 8;22(12):1836. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22121836.

  Davidson N, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. 'But Because I Don't Know About It, That's Why I Haven't Done It': Experiences of Access to Preventive Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Refugee Women from Iraq and Syria Living in Melbourne, Australia-A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025 Jan 23;22(2):149. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22020149.

  Davidson N, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. Ethical Considerations in Research With People From Refugee and Asylum Seeker Backgrounds: A Systematic Review of National and International Ethics Guidelines. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry. 2024 Jun;21(2):261-284. doi: 10.1007/s11673-023-10297-w.

  Davidson N, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. Primary healthcare providers' knowledge, practices and beliefs relating to preventive sexual and reproductive health care for women from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds in Australia: a national cross-sectional survey. Australian Journal of Primary Health. 2024 Sep;30:PY23171. doi: 10.1071/PY23171.

  Davidson N, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. 'If I'm not sick, I'm not going to see the doctor': Access to preventive sexual and reproductive health care for Karen women from refugee backgrounds living in Melbourne, Australia – A qualitative study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 2024 Oct;35(4):1136-1148. doi: 10.1002/hpja.844.

  Davidson N, Fisher J. "If I know about it of course I would give my son and daughter", barriers to and enablers of accessing human papillomavirus vaccination among women from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds resettling in Melbourne, Australia - A qualitative study. Vaccine. 2025 Apr 19;53:127064. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127064.

  Davidson N, Hammarberg K, Romero L, Fisher J. Access to preventive sexual and reproductive health care for women from refugee-like backgrounds: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2022 Feb 27;22(1):403. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12576-4.

Yeji Baek, PhD

• Thesis: Economic evidence for early childhood development interventions in low-and middle-income countries
• Main supervisor: Dr Alice Owen
• Associate supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher, Dr Thach Tran and Professor Zanfina Ademi
• Publications:

  Baek Y, Ademi Z, Tran T, Owen A, Nguyen T, Luchters S, Hipgrave DB, Hanieh S, Tran T, Tran H, Biggs BA, Fisher J. Considering equity and cost-effectiveness in assessing a parenting intervention to promote early childhood development in rural Vietnam. Health Policy and Planning. 2023 Sep 18;38(8):916-925. doi: 10.1093/heapol/czad057.

  Baek Y, Ademi Z, Tran T, Owen A, Nguyen T, Luchters S, Hipgrave DB, Hanieh S, Tran T, Tran H, Biggs BA, Fisher J. Promoting early childhood development in Viet Nam: cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a cluster-randomised trial. The Lancet Global Health. 2023 Aug;11(8):e1269-e1276. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00271-1.

  Baek Y, Iuliano S, Robbins J, Poon S, Seeman E, Ademi Z. Reducing hip and non-vertebral fractures in institutionalised older adults by restoring inadequate intakes of protein and calcium is cost-saving. Age and Ageing. 2023 Jun 1;52(6):afad114. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afad114.

  Baek Y, Ademi Z, Fisher J, Tran T, Owen A. Equity in Economic Evaluations of Early Childhood Development Interventions in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: Scoping Review. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2023 Jun;27(6):1009-1029. doi: 10.1007/s10995-023-03650-3.

  Baek Y, Owen AJ, Fisher J, Tran T, Ademi Z. Lifetime impact of being underweight or overweight/obese during childhood in Vietnam. BMC Public Health. 2022 Apr 4;22(1):645. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13061-8.

  Baek Y, Ademi Z, Paudel S, Fisher J, Tran T, Romero L, Owen A. Economic Evaluations of Child Nutrition Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal. Advances in Nutrition. 2022 Feb 1;13(1):282-317. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmab097.

Faye Forbes, PhD

• Thesis: Male partner involvement in perinatal healthcare: A multiple method exploration in sub-Saharan Africa and among culturally and linguistically diverse families in Australia
• Main supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• Associate supervisors: Dr Karen Wynter and Dr Berihun Zeleke

Daye Gang, PhD

• Thesis: Restorative justice processes for survivors of sexual and family violence
• Supervisors: Associate Professor Bebe Loff and Dr Maggie Kirkman
• Publications:

  Gang D, Loff B, Naylor B, Kirkman M. A Call for Evaluation of Restorative Justice Programs. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2021 Jan;22(1):186-190. doi: 10.1177/1524838019833003.

  Gang D, Loff B, Naylor B, Kirkman M. Opening Pathways to Restorative Justice: Analysis of Parliamentary Debates on Sex Crime Law Reform in Victoria, Australia. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society. 2022;29(2):658-681. doi: 10.1093/sp/jxab019.

  Gang D, Kirkman M, Loff B. "Obviously It's for the Victim to Decide": Restorative Justice for Sexual and Family Violence From the Perspective of Second-Wave Anti-Rape Activists. Violence Against Women. 2023 May 11:10778012231174353. doi: 10.1177/10778012231174353.

  Gang D, Loff B, Naylor B, Kirkman M. A Call for Evaluation of Restorative Justice Programs. Trauma Violence and Abuse. 2021 Jan;22(1):186-190. doi: 10.1177/1524838019833003.

  Dr Gang will continue to use what she has learnt from her research in her work as a barrister, both locally and internationally. In 2020, she was honoured as the Young Barrister of the Year by the International Bar Association.

Eunice Wong, PhD

• Thesis: Following a consumer-driven healthcare policy from policy into practice
• Main supervisor: Professor Felix Mavondo
• Co-supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• (Safer Care Victoria PhD)

Rohit Shah, PhD

• Thesis: Evaluation of outcomes and impacts of the national reproductive incentive scheme in India
• Main supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• Co-supervisor: Dr Guarev Sarthak
• (Enrolled through IITB – Monash Academy)

Nina Quin, PhD

• Thesis: The prevalence and efficacy of perinatal sleep and circadian health interventions that aim to improve maternal mental health
• (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology)
• Main supervisor: Associate Professor Bei Bei
• Co-supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher, Dr Liat Tikovsky

Karin Stanzel, PhD

• Thesis: Health literacy and menopause: A study of health literacy and menopause in migrant women aged 40-65
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher and Dr Karin Hammarberg
• Publications:

  Stanzel A, Hammarberg K, Nguyen T, Fisher J. 'They should come forward with the information': menopause-related health literacy and health care experiences among Vietnamese-born women in Melbourne, Australia. Ethnicity and Health. 2022 Apr;27(3):601-616. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2020.1740176.

  Stanzel KA, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. 'Not everybody is an internet person': Barriers for menopause-related health literacy among immigrant women from the Horn of Africa nations. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 2021 Feb;32 Suppl 1:61-68. doi: 10.1002/hpja.326.

  Stanzel KA, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. Primary healthcare providers’ attitudes and beliefs about the menopause-related care needs of women who have migrated from low- and middle-income countries to Australia. Australian Journal of Primary Health. 2019 Nov 18. doi: 10.1071/PY19132.

  Stanzel KA, Hammarberg K, Fisher J. Experiences of menopause, self-management strategies for menopausal symptoms and perceptions of health care among immigrant women: a systematic review. Climacteric. 2018 Apr;21(2):101-110. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2017.1421922.

Sarah Ashton, PhD

• Thesis: Young women and pornography: A qualitative investigation in Australia
• Supervisors: Dr Maggie Kirkman and Dr Karalyn McDonald
• Publications:

  Ashton S, McDonald K, Kirkman M. Pornography and sexual relationships: Discursive challenges for young women. Feminism & Psychology. 2020 May;30(4):489-507. doi: 10.1177/0959353520918164.

  Ashton S, McDonald K, Kirkman M. Pornography and women’s sexual pleasure: Accounts from young women in Australia. Feminism & Psychology. 2019 Mar;29(3):409-432. doi: 10.1177/0959353519833410.

  Ashton S, McDonald K, Kirkman M. What does “pornography” mean in the digital age? Revisiting a definition for social science researchers. Porn Studies. 2019 Oct;6(2):144-168. doi: 10.1080/23268743.2018.1544096.

  Ashton S, McDonald K, Kirkman M. Women’s experiences of pornography: A systematic review of research using qualitative methods. Journal of Sex Research. 2018 Mar-Apr;55(3):334-347. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1364337.

Goma Kumari Khatri, PhD

• Thesis: An Investigation of the Relationships among Women’s Experiences of the 2015 Earthquakes, Mental Health Status and Pregnancy Outcomes in Nepal
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher and Dr Thach Tran
• Publication:

  Khatri GK, Tran TD, Fisher J. Prevalence and determinants of symptoms of antenatal common mental disorders among women who had recently experienced an earthquake: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry. 2019 Jan 28;19(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s12888-018-1986-2.

Anh Ngoc Quynh Nguyen

• Thesis: Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health Problems among adolescents in Vietnam
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher and Dr Thach Tran

Trang Nguyen, PhD

• Thesis: Comprehensive care for people with severe mental illness in rural Vietnam: Addressing policy evidence gaps
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher and Dr Thach Tran
• Publications:

  Nguyen T, Holton S, Tran TD, Fisher J. Informal mental health interventions for people with severe mental illness in low and lower middle-income countries: a systematic review of effectiveness. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2019 May;65(3):194-206. doi: 10.1177/0020764019831322.

  Nguyen T, Tran T, Tran H, Tran TD, Fisher J. The burden of clinically significant symptoms of common and severe mental disorders among adults in Vietnam: a population-based cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health. 2019 Aug 27;19(1):1173. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7513-7.

Rebecca O’Hara, PhD

• Thesis: Endometriosis – from woe to go
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher and Dr Heather Rowe
• Publications:

  O'Hara R, Rowe H, Fisher J. Managing endometriosis: a cross-sectional survey of women in Australia. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022 Sep;43(3):265-272. doi: 10.1080/0167482X.2020.1825374.

  O Hara R, Rowe H, Roufeil L, Fisher J. Should endometriosis be managed within a chronic disease framework? An analysis of national policy documents. Australian Health Review. 2018 Dec;42(6):627-634. doi: 10.1071/AH17185.

  O’Hara R, Rowe H, Fisher J. Self-management in condition-specific health: a systematic review of the evidence among women diagnosed with endometriosis. BMC Women’s Health. 2019;19:80. doi: 10.1186/ s12905-019-0774-6.

Kate Young, PhD

• Thesis: Partners not patients: Healthcare for endometriosis from the perspectives of women and clinicians
• Supervisors: Dr Maggie Kirkman and Professor Jane Fisher

Irena Bobevski, PhD

• Thesis: Demoralisation as a novel construct for postnatal mental health
• Supervisor: Professor Jane Fisher
• Publication:

  Bobevski I, McKenzie DP, Rowe H, Kissane DW, Clarke DM, Fisher J. Measuring postnatal demoralisation: adaptation of the Demoralisation ScaleII (DS-II) for postnatal use. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. 2018 Nov;36(5):561-577. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2018.1519781.

Michelle Brear, PhD

• Thesis: Participatory action research for health capability in a Swazi community caring for children affected by HIV and AIDS – a project ethnography
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher and Dr Karin Hammarberg

Minh Le, PhD

• Thesis: An investigation of the prevalence and determinants of mental health problems in adolescents in Vietnam
• Supervisors: Professor Jane Fisher, Dr Sara Holton and Dr Huong Nguyen (Hanoi Uni of Public Health)