Stuart Leske

Dr. Stuart Leske is a Senior Research Fellow and Program Manager of the Centre of Research Excellence in Urban Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland's Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. A non-Indigenous researcher born on Nukunu land in South Australia, he focuses on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers through technical and leadership skills while engaging in reciprocal two-way learning that respects Indigenous knowledge systems.

Dr. Leske holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Southern Queensland and a PhD in Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology from Queensland University of Technology. His academic journey has positioned him at the intersection of psychological science and Indigenous health research.

His research spans multiple disciplines with primary expertise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, particularly mental health, suicide prevention, and cancer outcomes. His work addresses critical gaps in Indigenous health services, cultural determinants of health, and epidemiological patterns. Dr. Leske's research methodology often combines quantitative analysis with community-centered approaches, producing evidence that directly informs policy and practice.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on suicide prevention research among Indigenous populations, with increasing sophistication in methodological approaches to suicide surveillance. His work demonstrates a progression from descriptive epidemiology to intervention-focused research, with significant attention to data validation methods and cross-cultural applicability of prevention strategies. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges psychology, public health, and Indigenous studies.

• Extensive reviewer for Lancet Group journals (41 reviews)
• Research directly influenced public health messaging during the pandemic
• Significant contributor to Indigenous suicide prevention literature

Dr. Leske maintains active collaborations across Australian institutions and internationally, as evidenced by multi-country studies. His previous positions at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Menzies School of Health Research (working under Gail Garvey's cancer team), and managing the Queensland Suicide Register at Griffith University have provided him with comprehensive experience across mental health, cancer, and suicide prevention domains. He is available for supervision and emphasizes capacity building for Indigenous researchers through technical skill development and leadership opportunities.