Janelle Weise

Dr. Janelle Weise is a Researcher at UNSW Sydney, specializing in intellectual disability healthcare, health policy, and disability policy. She holds a PhD in intellectual disability health, alongside a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy (Honours) and a Master of Public Health. Her work bridges clinical, service delivery, and managerial roles to address healthcare inequities faced by people with intellectual disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Dr. Weise focuses on improving access to preventive health services, healthcare policy reforms, and quality-of-care frameworks.

Her research spans health services accessibility, mental health workforce capacity, and patient safety in hospital settings. Notable projects include developing core competency frameworks for mental health professionals and analyzing the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations. She collaborates with institutions like the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) and contributes to initiatives such as the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect (IDMH Connect).

Key themes in her work include healthcare system redesign (e.g., 'Hub and Spokes' models), autism-related burnout, and barriers to cancer screening for people with disabilities. Her multidisciplinary approach integrates qualitative studies, policy analysis, and consensus-building methods to drive evidence-based solutions.