Lauren Ball

Lauren Ball is a Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing at The University of Queensland, affiliated with the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. She holds dual professorships in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences and the School of Public Health. Her roles include leading the Springfield Living Lab, a flagship initiative focusing on community-driven health solutions, and directing the Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing. Professor Ball is internationally recognized for research in primary care, allied health, and health equity, with a focus on translating evidence into practice through collaborative models.

Her research interests span health promotion, chronic disease management, and the social determinants of health. She has pioneered studies on diabetes remission, dietary patterns and mental health, and the integration of nutrition care into general practice. Awards include the Tall Poppy Science Award and multiple Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Awards.

Ball leads multidisciplinary teams and oversees grants such as the Springfield Healthy Hearts project and the National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research Consortium. She advises on policy and strategy, emphasizing community engagement and systems thinking. Her work has informed national guidelines on aged care, refugee health services, and digital health innovations.

With over 217 peer-reviewed works, her recent articles highlight themes including food security, healthcare workforce retention, and patient navigation of cancer care systems. She actively supervises PhD and master’s students in areas like nutrition education and public health equity.