River Jo River

River Jo River is an Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), affiliated with the School of Nursing and Midwifery. With expertise in community-engaged research, co-design, and health equity, River collaborates with marginalized populations, including LGBTQ+ communities, people experiencing homelessness, and those with mental health or substance use challenges.

• Co-leads the Raising the Bar project for participatory research capacity-building
• Recipient of 2022 Deans Academic Excellence Social Justice and Equity Award and 2024 St Vincent's Research Award for co-designed cooling hubs
• Supervises 11 research students focusing on equity, co-design, and LGBTQ+ health
• Teaches population health, trauma-informed care, and participatory methods over 16 years

River's recent publications focus on homelessness healthcare access, LGBTQ+ service experiences, and principles of co-production. Their work emphasizes non-traditional research dissemination and capacity development for community-led initiatives.

• 2025: Co-designed emergency care for homelessness
• 2025: Nurse scope of practice for homeless populations
• 2024: Co-production principles in rehabilitation

Scientific leadership includes memberships in World Health Organization N&M Global Community and editorial roles in International Mad Studies Journal and Frontiers in Medicine. River actively contributes to health policy and curriculum reform through lived-experience partnerships.