Erica Breuer

Dr. Erica Breuer is a Honorary Lecturer at the University of Newcastle in the School of Medicine and Public Health. With a PhD in Psychiatry from the University of Cape Town (2018) and a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) from the same institution (2009), she specializes in global mental health, implementation science, and theory of change methodology. Her work focuses on mental health service development in low- and middle-income countries, women in the justice system, and cross-country collaborations.

Her research has been published in journals like Journal of Long Term Care, J Appl Gerontol, and PLoS One, covering topics such as social innovation adaptation, prisoner health, and community-based mental health programs. She has contributed to major initiatives including the PRIME consortium and the STRiDE project, and currently participates in the InCARE European Union-funded long-term care study. Key collaborations span institutions in Austria, Australia, Brazil, and 18 countries, with methodological expertise in qualitative comparative analysis and participatory workshop facilitation.

• Current Role: Honorary Lecturer, University of Newcastle
• Past Roles: Post-doctoral Research Fellow (2020-2021), Conjoint Lecturer (2018-2020), Consulting Researcher (2016-2021)

Education:

• PhD in Psychiatry (University of Cape Town, 2018)
• Master of Public Health (Epidemiology, University of Cape Town, 2009)
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) (University of Sydney)

Research Focus: Dr. Breuer works on mental health service delivery in resource-limited settings, theory of change frameworks, and gender-specific health interventions. Her articles highlight implementation pathways for community mental health, prisoner reintegration, and dementia care, with methodologies spanning Delphi consensus studies, qualitative comparative analysis, and program theory validation.

Key Collaborations: She has partnered with institutions across Ethiopia, India, Nepal, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States, contributing to projects like the Keeping Us Together parenting program and EMPOWER. Her work addresses health equity, stigma reduction, and policy translation through participatory research.