Jo River

Associate Professor Jo River at the University of Technology Sydney's Faculty of Health leads research focused on health equity through participatory methods. Their work partners with marginalized communities including LGBTQ+ populations, people experiencing homelessness, and those with mental health challenges to co-design health services and research.

Research interests center on participatory methodologies with emphasis on co-production frameworks in health services. Key areas include:

• Community-engaged mental health interventions
• Gender diversity and intersectionality in healthcare
• Trauma-informed service design
• Non-traditional knowledge dissemination

Publications focus on systemic health inequities, with recent works examining climate impacts on homeless populations and LGBTQ+ experiences in mental health systems. Research employs scoping reviews and thematic syntheses to advance inclusive healthcare frameworks.

Awards and honors:

• 2022 Dean's Award for Social Justice
• 2024 St Vincent's Health Research Award for co-designing Mobile Cooling Hubs

Supervises 11 graduate students researching recovery paradigms, neurodiversity in healthcare, and housing solutions. Leads the 'Raising the Bar' research program developing evidence-based partnership models. Secured multiple grants including NSW Health funding for co-designing AOD education programs.

Co-leads the Disabilities Research Network and partners with community organizations on frontline service innovations.