Elizabeth Sullivan

Elizabeth Sullivan MBBS MPH MMed MD FAFPHM is a Professor of Public Health and Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle and Clinical Research Lead in Custodial Health at the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. Liz is an internationally distinguished researcher and educator with extensive leadership experience. Liz joined the University of Newcastle in 2019 as Deputy Head, Faculty of Health and Medicine, was Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health (2020-April 2021) and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation from May 2021 until her appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor in February 2022.

Prior to this she was Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Distinguished Professor Public Health at the University of Technology Sydney where she held several other senior administrative roles in the Faculty of Health including inaugural Head of Discipline Public Health and Associate Dean (Research). She is a former Director AIHW National Perinatal Statistics Unit at the University of NSW (UNSW).

Liz obtained her MBBS, MPH and MMed (Sexual Health) from the University of Sydney and her Doctorate of Medicine (by Research) from the UNSW. Her public health training was undertaken at the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and included the prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer program and a preventive medicine residency on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in New York City. Liz is a public health physician and Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM). She is a council member of AFPHM Council (2020-2022) and former Council member of the NHMRC Council (2015-2018) and has served extensively on government and health committees. She has a strong commitment to gender equity and led UTS to an Athena Swan Bronze award and is active in mentoring the next generation of female researchers.

Liz's research interests focus on pregnancy, mothering and the criminalisation of poverty. She leads a multidisciplinary team aimed at improving interventions to support health and wellbeing and prevent reoffending. Liz has produced a substantial body of original research as evidenced by her strong publication track record of over 250 publications and the impact her research has had on policy and practice. She has received over $21 million in research funding support including support from the National and International funding agencies (NHMRC, ARC, WHO) and has extensive international collaborations.