Prof James Ward

Professor James Ward is a Pitjantjatjara and Nukunu man, an infectious diseases epidemiologist and a national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, with over 25 years of experience in Aboriginal public health policy and research. In his current role as Director of the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health he leads research aimed at impacting health and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations peoples, including a program of research to reduce incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases in Indigenous communities; a program of urban Indigenous health research and a global Indigenous health research program.

James’ involvement in the COVID-19 pandemic has been integral to Australia’s efforts, including as a member of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia (CDNA), the CDNA COVID-19 Working Group, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritisation Group.