Rona Macniven

Dr Rona Macniven is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, and holds a Research Fellow position at The University of New South Wales. She earned her PhD in Public Health from the University of Sydney (2018), focusing on physical activity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.

Her research specializes in improving health outcomes for Indigenous populations through co-designed interventions targeting ear health, fall prevention, and dementia. She leads epidemiological studies and collaborates with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and NGOs to translate research into practice. Key projects include the MINGLE program (2021-2022), evaluating lifestyle interventions for age-related macular degeneration.

Rona’s work emphasizes culturally responsive methodologies, as evidenced by her 2023 review on cultural integrity in Indigenous trials. Her articles span digital health solutions, health policy, and community-based interventions. She has no listed awards but maintains active collaborations across Australia and globally.

Her advisory and grant work includes consultancy roles in NGOs, with a focus on bridging research and community needs. Current research interests include wearable technology applications for remote Indigenous health monitoring and systemic policy improvements in Indigenous healthcare.