Dr Nalisa Neuendorf - 2025 Spirit of JCU Awardee

Research Fellow, Social Science Lead |  PNG Institute of Medical Research
(Bachelor of Social Science with Honours [Asia-Pacific and Community Development/ Human Services], 2014 & Doctor of Philosophy, 2020)

Nalisa Neuendorf is a trailblazer in advancing cross-cultural collaboration, Indigenous studies, and public health in remote communities, particularly in Papua New Guinea (PNG). As a leading researcher and mentor, she has fostered critical partnerships, including the co-creation of OneTalk, a collective of Papua New Guinean and Australian First Nations academics during her time at JCU. Her pioneering research on the community experience of and response to gender violence in remote PNG has contributed significantly to decolonizing social anthropology and in advancing the understanding of race, colonial history, and Indigenous identity in the Pacific.

Her work extends beyond academia; Nalisa leads multi-disciplinary research at the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), tackling urgent population health issues and influencing policy development through research that focuses on community experiences of health service provision and engagement. She has been instrumental in international collaborations with organizations such as the WHO, UNSW, and Burnet Institute, particularly in response to the global COVID pandemic. Her team also works closely with several key partners across vector and infectious disease research, gender, maternal and child health, and sexual and reproductive health research.

A committed mentor, Nalisa endeavours to empower the next generation of scholars, focusing on underrepresented voices, especially from PNG and in key partnerships with Australian First Nations and Pasifika research communities. She is focused on supporting Papua New Guinean researchers, on building and grounding methodological approaches and perspectives that are important to the PNG context. Her leadership in shaping future research directions through her role and ongoing connection with The Cairns Institute further underscores her lasting impact and dedication to improving lives in remote regions.

Connect with Nalisa on LinkedIn.