Anna Ziersch

Associate Professor Anna Ziersch is an academic at Flinders University specialising in the social determinants of health, particularly focusing on how discrimination and marginalisation impact the health and wellbeing of refugee, asylum seeker, and culturally diverse communities. Her work addresses systemic barriers in housing, employment, healthcare access, and mental health service provision. She has conducted longitudinal studies on resettlement experiences in Australia, including challenges faced by CALD groups with HIV and refugee families in the private rental market.

Her research spans global health policy, migration studies, and primary healthcare equity, with a strong emphasis on translating evidence into actionable policies. Key themes include the physiological impacts of discrimination, the role of social capital in integration, and the design of inclusive housing policies. She collaborates with NGOs and government bodies to address health inequities affecting vulnerable populations.

Notable contributions include frameworks for understanding post-migration stressors and the development of stepped care approaches for refugee mental health. Her work has influenced international policy discussions on refugee resettlement and health equity, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary, community-engaged research.