Ignacio Correa Velez

Ignacio Correa Velez is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology's School of Public Health and Social Work, with a distinguished career spanning two decades in refugee and migration health research. His work bridges public health, social work, and migration studies, focusing on the complex interplay between displacement, settlement, and health outcomes.

Correa Velez's research primarily centers on refugee health and wellbeing, with particular emphasis on social determinants of health, mental health, food security, and gender-specific issues among refugee populations. His work employs community-based participatory approaches, prioritizing refugee voices and experiences in research design and implementation. Key themes include the mental health of refugee women, food security challenges among resettled populations, educational and employment outcomes for refugee youth, and the impact of disasters on refugee communities.

His extensive publication record shows a clear evolution from foundational studies on refugee health access (2005-2010) to more nuanced investigations of specific refugee subpopulations (women, youth, LGBTQ+ refugees) and intersectional issues (food security, mental health, cultural adaptation). Recent work increasingly employs co-design methodologies and focuses on structural determinants of health rather than individual-level factors.

Correa Velez has led significant longitudinal studies including the SettleMEN project examining health and settlement among refugee men, and the Good Starts study tracking refugee youth outcomes. He has also contributed to major publications including the 4th edition of 'Introduction to Public Health' as an editor and chapter author.

His collaborative work spans numerous Australian institutions including La Trobe University, University of Melbourne, and Mater Research, with consistent focus on translating research into practice through partnerships with settlement services, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Current projects address trauma-informed care for refugee women, mental health priorities for queer refugees, and cultural food security initiatives.