Patricia Dudgeon

Professor Patricia Dudgeon is a Bardi woman and Professor at the University of Western Australia's School of Indigenous Studies. Her work focuses on Indigenous mental health, suicide prevention, and community empowerment, with a particular emphasis on culturally appropriate frameworks. She leads the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), established following her groundbreaking ATSISPEP project. She has secured over $18.2 million in research funding since 2013, including $8 million in current projects. Her roles include co-chairing the National Ministerial Advisory Group on Indigenous Mental Health and serving on the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce.

Education:

• Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology, Murdoch University (2008), focusing on Indigenous women’s identity and sexuality.

Research Interests: Professor Dudgeon’s work integrates Indigenous knowledge systems with Western research methodologies. Key areas include:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention strategies
• Social and emotional wellbeing models in community health
• Decolonizing psychology education and Indigenous student support
• Policy development for Indigenous mental health

Awards & Grants: Recognized with prestigious awards including the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Fellowship. She leads major grants such as the Youth Empowerment Project (MRFF-funded) and the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Service pilot evaluation.

Labs/Teams: Director of CBPATSISP and board member of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Group. Collaborates with organizations like the National Torres Strait Islander Leaders in Mental Health and the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association.