Elizabeth Smith

Dr. Elizabeth Smith is an Adjunct Research Fellow at La Trobe University's Living with Disability Research Centre since 2016. She holds a PhD in Health Sciences (La Trobe University) and a BA in Social Science (RMIT University). Her research focuses on discrimination, mental health, and inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups such as gender-diverse individuals, sex workers, and people with disabilities.

Research Interests:

• Stigma and mental health impacts on marginalized populations
• Supported decision-making frameworks for individuals with cognitive disabilities
• LGBTQI+ rights and healthcare access for CALD communities
• Qualitative methodologies, including vignette and photo-elicitation techniques

Key Projects:

• Lead author of the 2014 'From Blues to Rainbows' report on transgender youth mental health
• Co-investigator on a 4-year Australian Research Council Linkage grant studying supported decision-making programs
• Studies on bisexual mental health, workplace initiatives against violence, and LGBTQI inclusion in sports

Her publications span disability policy, LGBTQ+ studies, and healthcare equity, emphasizing intersectional approaches to marginalization. She collaborates with industry partners across Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales.