Shannen Vallesi

Shannen Vallesi is a Researcher at the Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame, where she commenced in 2022. Her work focuses on homelessness and health, particularly exploring the impact of chronic homelessness on health outcomes, healthcare accessibility, and health needs through mixed-methods research.

Education:

• Bachelor of Health Science (BHlthSci)
• PhD candidate at the University of Notre Dame (since 2022)

Shannen's research expertise spans homelessness, Housing First models, healthcare access, health service utilisation, mental health, trauma informed practice, social determinants of health, and health promotion. She employs mixed-methods approaches to address complex health issues among vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Her work aims to translate research into policy and practice to improve health outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.

Her recent publications (2018-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on homelessness and health, with particular emphasis on mortality tracking, multimorbidity, and healthcare experiences among homeless populations. She frequently contributes to both journal articles and conference presentations that inform public health strategies and housing policies, often highlighting Australian contexts and Aboriginal health equity.

Shannen has received several awards:

• 2023 Finalist - Excellence in Research and Innovation (For the Medical Respite Centre) at WA Health Excellence Awards
• 2023 Recognition in Consumer & Community Involvement in Health Research at WAHTN, UNDA Research Symposium
• 2020 Emerald Literati Award – Outstanding Paper for 'The Cottage: providing medical respite care in a home-like environment for people experiencing homelessness'
• 2018 Policy and Research Translation Award from Public Health Association Australia (WA Branch)

Shannen has secured significant research funding, serving as Chief Investigator on 16 competitive grants (totaling over $800,000) and 18 commissioned projects (totaling $1.8 million). She actively supervises higher degree research students through her roles as HDR Representative on the UNDA Faculty Research Committee and UNDA Faculty HDR Training and Supervision Committee, while engaging communities through interviews, surveys, and policy submissions.

Shannen collaborates with networks including the Australian Health, Housing and Homelessness Network and the UK's Homelessness Research Network. Her community engagement involves direct work with people experiencing homelessness through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, as well as policy submissions and industry workshops focused on evictions, Aboriginal housing, and healthcare accessibility.