Steph Topp

Professor Stephanie Topp is a health policy and systems researcher with a background in global public health, political, and social sciences. She holds a PhD in Global Health from the University of Melbourne, an MPhil in Development Studies from Oxford University, an MIPH from the University of Sydney, and a BA(Hons) in Modern History from the University of Sydney.

Her research focuses on the political and power dynamics influencing equitable access to healthcare and health outcomes. Drawing on social science theories and methodologies, she investigates system-strengthening potentials through public health policy adjustments, governance, and health workforce management, particularly in low-resource, remote, and correctional settings. Her work also explores the intersections between cultural health and wellbeing.

Professor Topp's research has been cited in national and international policy documents, including those from the World Health Organization, European Union, USAID, and governments in Australia and Finland. Over the past five years, she has been the chief investigator for competitive grants totaling $3.8 million, funded by bodies such as NHMRC, MRFF, CRC-NA, and Canada's CIHR. She has published extensively in leading journals, including The Lancet Global Health, BMJ Global Health, and Social Science & Medicine.  In recognition of her contributions to research communication, she received the QLD Young Tall Poppy Award in 2019.

TEACHING

At JCU, Steph is course co-coordinator for the Masters of Public Health – Masters of Development Studie, and convenes several Masters of Public Health subjects including Global Health and Development.  She has published in texts such as the WHO Health Policy and Systems Research Reader on Human Resources for Health, Maxcy-Rosenau-Last Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and The Routledge Handbook of Global Development.  Her teaching was recognised with a Dean’s Awards for Teaching and Subject Excellence in 2020, and a national Teaching Excellence Award from the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions of Australasia in 2022.

ENGAGEMENT
Professor Topp served on the Board of Directors for Health Systems Global (2020–2024) and chaired the Programme Working Group for the 8th Global Symposium for Health Systems Research in Nagasaki in 2024). She is on the editorial boards of BMJ Global Health and Social Science & Medicine: Health Systems, and regularly reviews for funding agencies including NHMRC, South Africa’s MRC, Wellcome Trust, and the UK NIHR.