Background
Miika is a values-driven public health professional with 10 years of experience in health promotion, research, policy and advocacy – in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region. She is deeply passionate about advancing sexual and reproductive health and committed to addressing the systemic barriers that limit access and rights.
Miika has experience as a project coordinator, educator and qualitative researcher, using participatory, collaborative and co-design approaches to develop evidence-based and sustainable health solutions. She is currently undertaking on a partnership PhD, ‘Co-Designing Interventions to Address the Impact of Online Pornography on Young People’. Alongside Miika’s doctoral work, she continues to work as a teaching and research associate in Deakin’s School of Health and Social Development.
Qualifications
- 2017: Bachelor of Science (Hons), University of Western Australia
- 2016: Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Law & Society and Population & Global Health), University of Western Australia
Positions
- 2026–current: Sessional Academic, Deakin University
Current projects
Young people’s health in Australia: statistics from the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey
Every year, we survey young people about their sexual health, drug use, mental health and wellbeing. That data informs public health policies and programs.
The Gist: a pornography education program to improve sexual health and wellbeing in young people
The Gist helps young people navigate sex and relationships. It includes a website, educational videos and in-person education sessions in schools and youth services in Victoria.
Pornography and young people
Our work focuses on pornography use among young people in the Australian context.