Dr Sophia Schroeder

Sophia is a postdoctoral researcher specialising in qualitative research and participatory implementation science, with a focus on infectious diseases, healthcare access, and marginalisation among minoritised populations. Since commencing her research career at Burnet in 2017, she has built a strong track record in multidisciplinary and multi-organisational collaboration, contributing to clinical guidelines, government policy, and recommendations from global agencies including the World Health Organization. Across roles at Burnet, Curtin University, and La Trobe University she has provided critical leadership in qualitative research and implementation science, particularly in engaging with affected communities and frontline service providers to support optimal engagement in health initiatives. Her work spans infectious diseases, harm reduction, stigma, and community-led health interventions in both Australian and international contexts. As a postdoctoral researcher, she currently provides leadership in qualitative research and implementation science, co-leading qualitative research within a WHO collaboration across 10 low- and middle-income countries and within an NHMRC-funded Synergy grant to accelerate hepatitis C elimination.

Grounded in health equity and community partnership principles, her research consistently centres community voices to inform public health responses for people who use drugs and other underserved groups, directly addressing Australia’s blood-borne virus and sexually transmissible infections strategies. Through her role at Burnet, she is strengthening the next generation of public health research and practice through building research capacity and contributing expertise to students, early-career researchers, and community partners in Australia and internationally.

• 2023, PhD (Health Science), Monash University, Australia
• 2017, MSc (Public Health), Lund University, Sweden
• 2015, BA (Peace and Conflict Studies), Malmo University, Sweden

• 2021–present: Early and Mid-Career Researchers Committee, International Network for Hepatitis and Health in Substance Users
• Adjunct, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University

• 2023–present: Senior Research Officer, Burnet Institute
• 2021–2022: Reconciliation Action Plan Manager, Burnet Institute
• 2019–2023: PhD Candidate, Monash University
• 2017–2021: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute

• 2024: Mollie Holman Award for best PhD thesis submitted at the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University
• 2024: Miller Foundation Public Health Travel Fellowship
• 2023: Monash University Postgraduate Publications Award
• 2022: The Hon Geoffrey Connard Travel Fellowship
• 2022: Conference scholarship to attend the 10th International Conference on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users (INHSU) in Glasgow
• 2022: International AIDS Conference Scholarship awarded by the International AIDS Society for Virtual Registration
• 2021: Geoffrey J Stewardson Fund Travel Fellowship
• 2021: Full Scholarship to attend the 9th International Conference on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users (INHSU)
• 2019: “Best PhD Abstract in Social Sciences” awarded by the International Network on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users at INHSU conference in Montreal, Canada
• 2019: New Investigator Full Scholarship to attend the 8th International Conference on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users (INHSU)
• 2019: Geoffrey J Stewardson Fund Travel Fellowship
• 2019–2022: Monash Graduate Scholarship
• 2019–2022: Monash Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science: Full International Tuition Scholarship
• 2018: 22nd International AIDS Conference Scholarship awarded by the International AIDS Society
• 2017: “Best Theme Poster” awarded by the Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine, ASHM 2017