Stephanie Topp

Professor Stephanie Topp is a globally recognized health policy and systems researcher at James Cook University (JCU), specializing in the political dynamics influencing equitable healthcare access, particularly in low-resource and Indigenous settings. She holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and has extensive experience in global health governance, including roles with the World Health Organization and Health Systems Global.

Her research focuses on governance, health workforce management, and cultural health wellbeing, with emphasis on correctional, remote, and Indigenous health systems. She has secured $3.8M in competitive grants and published widely in leading journals like The Lancet Global Health and BMJ Global Health. Topp’s work has informed national and international policies, including contributions to WHO strategies and Australian health reforms.

Awarded the QLD Young Tall Poppy Award (2019) and CAPHIA Teaching Excellence (2022), she teaches in JCU’s MPH-MGD program and mentors students on topics like Indigenous health governance and global development. Topp chairs editorial boards for BMJ Global Health and advocates for data-driven health equity through initiatives like the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Research Collaborative, exploring cultural camps’ impact on Indigenous wellbeing.