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  5. Michael Curtis

Dr Michael Curtis

Postdoctoral Research Officer

Taking students
Dr Michael Curtis

Background

Michael is a Postdoctoral Research Officer at the Burnet Institute and a Research Associate at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University. Michael’s research interests include the use of prospective survey and linked administrative data to improve the health and well-being of marginalised groups, with a particular focus on people in prison and people who inject drugs.

Michael completed a PhD in 2023 under the supervision of Professor Mark Stoové and Professor Paul Dietze with Monash University and Burnet Institute. Michael’s PhD examined the impact of retention in opioid agonist treatment on substance use, health and health service use among men recently released from prison. Between 2014-2022, Michael worked at the Burnet Institute as a Research Assistant, primarily collecting data for substance-use related prospective cohort studies. 

Before joining Burnet, Michael worked as a social worker in in adult intensive case management, homelessness, and youth out-of-home care.

Qualifications

  • 2023: PhD, Monash University, Australia
  • 2012: BA/BSW(Hons), Monash University, Australia

Appointments

  • Research Associate, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

Positions

  • 2023-present: Postdoctoral Research Officer, Burnet Institute
  • 2022-present: Research Associate, NDRI, Curtin University
  • 2019-2023: PhD Candidate, Monash University and Burnet Institute
  • 2014-2023: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
  • 2010-2014: Social Worker, Salvation Army Crisis Services.

Awards

  • 2021: INHSU 2021 Conference Scholarship
  • 2021: Miller Foundation Public Health Travel Award
  • 2021: Burnet Student Symposium Best Three Minute Thesis
  • 2019: Monash Addiction Research Centre PhD top-up scholarship
  • 2018: National Health and Medical Research Council postgraduate award
  • 2012: Peter Boss Honours Prize for Social Work. 

Reports and other work

  • ST KILDA 24-HOUR NSP EVALUATION.

    The Salvation Army commissioned the Burnet Institute to gather data on its 24-hour needle and syringe program (NSP) in St Kilda. Uniquely in Victoria, the St Kilda NSP is funded to run a staffed service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has been in operation with this model for over 10 years. This section is an executive summary of the Burnet Institute’s findings about the role, impact, and effectiveness of the St Kilda 24-hour NSP service.

    ST KILDA 24-HOUR NSP EVALUATION.
  • The Forest proposal

    Explains how we developed The Forest - a model to address underlying causes of incarceration.

    The Forest proposal
  • The Forest co-design report (Burnet Institute and Paper Giant)

    Describes the process and evidence behind The Forest - a model to address underlying causes of incarceration.

    The Forest co-design report (Burnet Institute and Paper Giant)
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