Kerryn O'Rourke

Kerryn O'Rourke is a Senior Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University (CDU), affiliated with the Northern Institute and the Faculty of Arts and Society. She serves as Associate Lead of the Realist Evaluation, Research and Learning Initiative and co-convenes the Australia & New Zealand Realist Research Group. She also holds an Honorary Senior Fellow position at the University of Melbourne's School of Population and Global Health (2023–2028).

Her research focuses on equity in public health and health services, specializing in realist methodology to evaluate policies, programs, and services. Key areas include community-based doulas for migrant/refugee women, domestic violence prevention, and multicultural aged care. She has led projects such as the Evaluation of FECCA EnCOMPASS (multicultural aged care) and the NT Health Domestic/Family/Sexual Violence Project.

Her recent work emphasizes collaborative relationships between healthcare providers and doulas, implementation of equitable services, and culturally responsive care. Over 23 peer-reviewed outputs since 2006 reflect her contributions to maternal health, equity, and methodological innovation.