Hazel Dalton

Dr Hazel Dalton is a Senior Research Fellow in Rural Public Health (Health Services) at Charles Sturt University’s Rural Health Research Institute in Orange, NSW, Australia. Previously (2016–2022), she held roles as Research Leader and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH). She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, and chairs the Global Leadership Exchange - Rural Behavioral Health Collaborative. Her research focuses on rural mental health, integrated care systems, health equity, and community wellbeing initiatives, with a strong emphasis on translating research into policy and practice.

Education:

• PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of New South Wales (2004)
• BSc (Hons Class 1) in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (1992–1996)
• Leadership program graduate from Women & Leadership Australia (2019)

Research Interests: Rural adversity, mental health service innovation, suicide prevention, health policy, and the intersection of rural health equity with global development goals (UN SDGs). Her work includes the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and co-founding the International Foundation for Integrated Care Australia (IFICA).

Key Contributions:

• Developed the Orange Declaration on rural mental health research standards
• Authored submissions to national inquiries on mental health and suicide prevention
• Advocated for integrated care models and rural health workforce strategies

Awards & Grants:

• Emerging Research Abstract Award (2024)
• Awarded grants for projects like the Physical Health Care Navigator Model and rural suicide prevention initiatives

Labs/Teams: Leads research teams at the Rural Health Research Institute and collaborates internationally via IFICA and the International Equally Well Alliance.