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.
International Journal of Drug Policy
S. Griffin, Shelley Walker, Sophia Schroeder, Margaret Hellard, Mark Stoové, Rebecca Winter
Public Health
Sophia Schroeder, Peter Higgs, Paul Dietze, Mark Stoové
Qualitative Health Research
Sophia Schroeder, Mark Stoové, Joseph Doyle, Margaret Hellard, Alisa Pedrana
This project addresses critical knowledge gaps in Australian and global efforts to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030.
The co-EC study aimed to eliminate hepatitis C/HIV coinfection among gay and bisexual men through scale up treatment of hepatitis C in primary care and hospital settings.