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Dr Elke Mitchell

Dr Elke Mitchell

Senior Research Fellow

BA (Hons), PhDÌý

Medicine & Health
The Kirby Institute

Dr Elke Mitchell is a Senior Research Fellow in the Global Health Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney. Her research spans the disciplines of anthropology, public health, Pacific studies and gender studies. Elke has over 13 years’ experience working in Fiji, and has also worked in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and with Indigenous communities in Australia. Her work has focused on HIV and other STIs, adolescent pregnancy and young parenthood, family planning, maternal health,Ìýabortion, sexual violence, reproductive coercion, infertility, Indigenous health and neglected tropical diseases.

Her current research projects include a study funded by NHMRC evaluating the impact of community treatment of STIs to improve perinatal and reproductive health outcomes in Fiji, research in the Solomon Islands and Fiji on community beliefs and practices towards scabies and acceptability of mass drug administration for scabies control, and research exploring the sexual health needs of young Aboriginal LGBTQ+ people.

Elke has published in high-profile international journals including Culture Health and Sexuality, Medical Anthropology, Men and Masculinities, Violence Against Women, Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific, and BMC Public Health. Elke has received academic awards and fellowships including the Kirby Institute Emerging Investigator Award (2018), the Graduate Women Victoria William and Elizabeth Fisher Scholarship (2013) and the Australian Awards Endeavour Research Fellowship (2012).

Elke is a member of the Australian Anthropological Society, Australian Association for Pacific Studies and Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania. Beyond her position at UNSW Sydney, Elke is an honorary Senior Fellow in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne.Ìý
E-mail
emitchell@kirby.unsw.edu.au
  • Book Chapters | 2023
    Aeno H; Mitchell E; Ase S; Trumb RN; Selon Ofi P; Hanku AK; Bell S, 2023, 'Socio-structural influences on young men’s experiences of sex, pregnancy and pregnancy prevention in Papua New Guinea', in Sex and Gender in the Pacific: Contemporary Perspectives on Sexuality, Gender and Health, pp. 109 - 122,
  • Journal articles | 2024
    McCormack H; Dickson M; Harrington T; Garay M; Whybrow R; Mooney-Somers J; Aggleton P; Lafferty L; Mitchell E; Morris J; Haire B, 2024, 'Sexual healthcare to meet the needs of sexuality and gender diverse aboriginal young people: imagined possibilities', Culture, Health and Sexuality, ahead-of-print, pp. 1 - 16,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Mitchell E; Bennett LR, 2024, 'Infertility in the Pacific: A crucial component of the sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 64, pp. 297 - 299,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Mitchell E; Tavui A; Andersson S; Lake S; Koroivueti A; Koroivueta J; Kaurasi R; Bechu V; Kaldor J; Steer A; Romani L, 2024, 'Acceptability of a nationwide scabies mass drug administration (MDA) program in Fiji: a qualitative interview-based study', The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 51,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Mitchell E; Wallace M; Marshall J; Whitfeld M; Romani L, 2024, 'Scabies: current knowledge and future directions', Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 5,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Persson A; Mek A; Naketrumb R; Mitchell E; Bell S; Kelly-Hanku A, 2024, 'Local Pathways of “Serodiscordant Couplesâ€: Unpacking a Global HIV Population Category in Papua New Guinea', Medical Anthropology: Cross Cultural Studies in Health and Illness, 43, pp. 31 - 45,
    Journal articles | 2023
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Mitchell E; Trumb RN; Worth H; Bell S, 2023, '“We Live Just Like a Normal Familyâ€: Exploring Local Renderings of the Global HIV Normalisation Discourse Among Serodiscordant Couples in Papua New Guinea', Sexuality and Culture, 27, pp. 19 - 37,
    Journal articles | 2022
    Mitchell E; Kelly-Hanku A; Krentel A; Romani L; Robinson LJ; Nery SV; Kaldor J; Steer AC; Bell S, 2022, 'Community perceptions and acceptability of mass drug administration for the control of neglected tropical diseases in Asia-Pacific countries: A systematic scoping review of qualitative research', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mitchell E; Hakim A; Nosi S; Kupul M; Boli-Neo R; Aeno H; Redman-Maclaren M; Ase S; Amos A; Hou P; Narokobi R; Willie B; Vallely AJ; Kaldor JM; Badman SG; Kelly-Hanku A, 2021, 'A socio-ecological analysis of factors influencing HIV treatment initiation and adherence among key populations in Papua New Guinea', BMC Public Health, 21,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Mitchell E; Nake Trumb R; Worth H; Bell S, 2021, 'Making Sense of Serodiscordance: Pathways and Aftermaths of HIV Testing among Couples with Mixed HIV Status in Papua New Guinea', Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 22, pp. 298 - 314,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Whitford K; Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Tasya IA; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor JM; Bell S, 2021, 'Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia', Sexual Health, 18, pp. 77 - 83,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Whitford K; Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Tasya IA; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor JM; Bell S, 2021, 'Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia', Sexual health, 18, pp. 122,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Bell S; Thean LJ; Sahukhan A; Kama M; Koroivueti A; Kaldor J; Steer A; Romani L, 2020, 'Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: A qualitative study', PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 14, pp. e0008825,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Bell S, 2020, 'Premarital relationships and condom use among young people in Suva, Fiji', Sexual Health, 17, pp. 337 - 343,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Bennett LR, 2020, 'Pressure and Persuasion: Young Fijian Women’s Experiences of Sexual and Reproductive Coercion in Romantic Relationships', Violence Against Women, 26, pp. 1555 - 1573,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Bennett LR, 2020, 'Young women’s perceptions and experiences of sexual risk in Suva, Fiji', Culture, Health and Sexuality, 22, pp. 504 - 519,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Anintya I; Rowe E; Whitford K; Wirawan D; Wisaksana R; Subronto Y; Prameswari H; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2020, 'A Qualitative Exploration of Family, Work, Community, and Health Service Influences on HIV Treatment Uptake and Adherence Among Female Sex Workers in Three Cities in Indonesia', AIDS Education and Prevention, 32, pp. 243 - 259,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Mitchell E; Nake Trumb R; Worth H; Bell S, 2020, 'Polygyny, Serodiscordance and HIV Prevention in Papua New Guinea: A Qualitative Exploration of Diverse Configurations', Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 21, pp. 248 - 263,
    Journal articles | 2019
    Mitchell E; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Nake Trumb R; Persson A; Worth H; Bell SA, 2019, 'Caring Masculinities in the Context of HIV Serodiscordant Relationships in Papua New Guinea', Men and Masculinities,
    Journal articles | 2019
    Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Anintya I; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2019, 'Barriers and Enablers to HIV Care Among Waria (Transgender Women) in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study', AIDS Education and Prevention: an interdisciplinary journal, 31, pp. 538 - 552,
    Journal articles | 2015
    Mitchell E, 2015, 'The Fiji national response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections: Mapping key successes and challenges', Journal of Pacific Studies, 35, pp. 5 - 25,
    Journal articles | 2011
    Mitchell E, 2011, 'Towards an Understanding of Transactional Sex and HIV Risk Among Female University Students in Fiji', Intersections : Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific,
  • Conference Presentations | 2023
    Mitchell E; Ase S; Aeno H; Ofi P; Nake Trumb R; Kelly-Hanku A; Vallely LM; Vallely A; Black K; Mola G; Bagita M; Bolgna J; Pomat W; Bell S, 2023, 'Young people's abortion trajectories in Papua New Guinea', presented at Sexual and Reproductive Health 2023, Sydney, 18 September 2023 - 20 September 2023
    Conference Presentations | 2023
    Mitchell E, 2023, 'Community and stakeholder perspectives on scabies and the acceptability of mass drug administration for scabies control in Fiji', presented at The 2nd Southern Cross Tropical Medicine Conference, Sydney, 01 September 2023 - 03 September 2023
    Conference Presentations | 2023
    Mitchell E, 2023, 'Perceptions of Scabies MDA in Fiji', presented at International Alliance for the Control of Scabies 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting, Webinar, 20 November 2023 - 20 November 2023
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    Mitchell E; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Nake Trumb R; Persson A; Worth H; Bell S, 2019, 'Caring masculinities in the context of HIV serodiscordant relationships in Papua New Guinea', presented at Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV&AIDS Conferences, Perth, 16 September 2019 - 19 September 2019
    Conference Posters | 2019
    Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Anintya I; Wirawan DN; Wicaksana R; Subronto Y; Prameswari HD; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2019, 'Barriers and enablers to HIV care among waria (transgender women) in Indonesia: a qualitative study', Perth, presented at Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV&AIDS Conferences, Perth, 16 September 2019 - 19 September 2019
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Mitchell E; Worth H; Nake Trumb R; Bell S, 2019, 'Polygyny, serodiscordance and HIV risk in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative exploration', presented at Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV&AIDS Conferences, Perth, 16 September 2019 - 19 September 2019
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    Whitford K; Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Anintya I; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2019, 'Social influences on HIV testing among female sex workers in three urban settings in Indonesia', presented at Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV&AIDS Conferences, Perth, 16 September 2019 - 19 September 2019
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    Whitford K; Mitchell E, 2019, 'Talking story with sexuality and gender diverse Aboriginal young people: gaps and opportunities', presented at HARP Forum 2019, Sydney, 16 October 2019 - 17 October 2019
    Reports | 2018
    Mitchell E; Bandara P; Smith V, 2018, Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program Final Evaluation Report, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia,
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Faure-Brac A; Auciello J; Upton P; Bandara P; Mitchell E, 2017, 'Building robust evaluation systems in Indigenous health: Examples for the Tackling Indigenous Program evaluation', presented at 2017 Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference, Canberra, Australia, 04 September 2017 - 06 September 2017
    Reports | 2017
    Mitchell E; Bandara P; Faure-Brac A, 2017, Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program evaluation: Preliminary evaluation report, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia
    Reports | 2017
    Mitchell E; Smith V; Veitayaki J; Gillet B, 2017, Performance review of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division of the Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC), Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia
    Theses / Dissertations | 2017
    Mitchell E, 2017, Risk, resilience and youth sexuality: Negotiations of sexual risk among iTaukei women university students in Suva, Fiji
    Reports | 2016
    Bandara P; Mitchell E, 2016, Evaluation of the Deadly Sports Program, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia
    Reports | 2016
    Mitchell E, 2016, Cancer patient experience: Qualitative research with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia
    Reports | 2016
    Mitchell E, 2016, Evaluation of the Aboriginal Alcohol in Pregnancy Project, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia
    Reports | 2016
    Mitchell E, 2016, The Line: Qualitative research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Sydney, Australia
    Other | 2015
    Adams S; Colbran R; Ramsden R; Mitchell E; O'Loughlin F; Casburn K; Fairweather C, 2015, Ensuring equity for country kids: A tele-speech program, Grassroots Magazine,
    Reports | 2015
    Bandara P; Adams S; Mitchell E; Zimmet M, 2015, Telepaediatric Program Therapy Trial: Evaluation Report, Royal Far West, Sydney, Australia
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Bandara P; Mitchell E; Adams S; Zimmet M, 2015, 'Telepaediatrics: Bridging the gap in knowledge and service delivery in rural and remote NSW', presented at NSW Rural Health and Research Congress, Armidale, Australia, 04 November 2015 - 06 November 2015
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Colbran R; Adams S; Ramsden R; Mitchell E; Casburn K; Fairweather C; O'Loughlin F, 2015, 'Equalising access to speech, language and communication therapy for country kids: A telehealth approach', presented at 13th National Rural Health Conference: People, places, possibilities, Darwin, Australia, 24 May 2015 - 27 May 2015
    Conference Presentations | 2014
    Mitchell E, 2014, 'Reimaging sexual risk in Fiji: Protecting the future through a culturally grounded model of HIV and STI vulnerability', presented at Australian Association For Pacific Studies Conference, Sydney, Australia, 22 April 2014 - 26 April 2014,
    Conference Posters | 2014
    Mitchell E, 2014, 'Saturday night in Suva: Youth sexual cultures, HIV and risk', Melbourne, Australia, presented at AIDS 2014: 20th International AIDS Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 20 July 2014 - 25 July 2014,
    Conference Presentations | 2014
    Mitchell E, 2014, 'The role of peer education in preventing STIs/HIV among young people in Suva, Fiji', presented at The 7th Asia Pacifc Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, Manila, Philippines, 21 January 2014 - 24 January 2014
    Conference Presentations | 2013
    Mitchell E, 2013, 'The Fiji response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections: Mapping key successes and challenges', presented at ODN Conference: Addressing Inequality and Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Development, Suva, Fiji, 11 September 2013 - 12 September 2013
    Conference Presentations | 2013
    Mitchell E, 2013, 'Understanding HIV and STI risk among young iTaukei women in Suva, Fiji', presented at University of the South Pacific Faculty of Arts, Law and Education Seminar Series, Suva, Fiji, 17 September 2013 - 17 September 2013
    Conference Presentations | 2013
    Mitchell E, 2013, 'Why does HIV peer education work in Fiji and how can we strengthen it?', presented at 9th Annual Nossal Global Health Forum, Melbourne, Australia, 29 November 2013 - 29 November 2013
    Reports | 2011
    Kratzmann M; Mitchell E; Ware J; Banach L; Ward J; Ryan R, 2011, Injecting drug use and associated harms among Aboriginal Australians, Australian National Council on Drugs, ACT,
    Conference Presentations | 2011
    Mitchell E, 2011, 'Addressing young Fijian women’s right to STI/HIV prevention: The cultural context of condom use for youth in Fiji', presented at 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 19 October 2011 - 22 October 2011
    Conference Presentations | 2011
    Mitchell E, 2011, 'University students: A vulnerable group to HIV and other STIs?', presented at University of the South Pacific School of Social Science Seminar Series, Suva, Fiji, 23 September 2011 - 23 September 2011
    Reports | 2010
    Waples-Crowe P; Mitchell E, 2010, Do you feel shame? A project on injecting drug use in the Victorian Aboriginal community, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne, Australia,
    Reports | 2010
    Waples-Crowe P; Mitchell E, 2010, Just what are you sharing? A project on injecting drug use in the Victorian Aboriginal community, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne, Australia,
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Mitchell E, 2009, 'Future opportunities to improve intersectoral understandings', presented at Anex and VACCHO Workforce Development Seminar: Preventing harms through collaboration – Aboriginal drug use and health responses, Melbourne, Australia, 19 August 2009 - 19 August 2009

Current grants:

2024: Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) Falcon Awards: $50,000 (CIC). Project will evaluate the social and economic outcomes of scabies mass drug administration in Solomon Islands.Ìý

2022-2026: NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants: $2.1 million (CIH). Project will evaluate whether mass drug administration can reduce the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes and other health consequences of endemic STIs in Fiji.

Previous grants:

2019-2021: Department of Health, Commonwealth of Australia: $307,500 (CIB). Qualitative research focused on sexual health among young Aboriginal LGBTQ+ people.

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2019: NHMRC-CRE funded: $40,000 (CIA). Qualitative research focused onÌýcommunity perspectives of scabies and mass drug administration for scabies control in Fiji.

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2018: Kirby Institute, Emerging Investigator Awards: $10,000.

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2013: William and Elizabeth Fisher Scholarship, Graduate Women Victoria: $6,000.

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2012: Endeavour Research Fellowship, Australia Awards: $23,500.

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2011: Research Higher Degree Studentship, The University of Melbourne: $36,500.