Heidi Merrington

Dr Heidi Merrington is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), affiliated with the Faculty of Health and School of Public Health. Her research focuses on marginalized communities' health equity, including refugee populations, people who inject drugs, and autistic individuals. She holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales (2008) alongside earlier degrees in occupational therapy (1990) and public health (2000).

Her work integrates qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to address harm reduction, end-of-life care, and culturally responsive healthcare models. Current projects include an NHMRC-funded initiative exploring refugee health across generations. Key contributions include studies on hepatitis C treatment barriers, refugee social capital, and autistic young people's quality of life.

Notable awards include an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship. Professional experience spans healthcare sectors including pediatrics, neurosciences, and community-based services. She collaborates widely with service providers and advocacy groups to translate research into actionable interventions.