Zeshi Fisher
Senior Technical Specialist; PhD Candidate
Working groups
Background
Zeshi is a midwife with experience in clinical, research, design, management, governance, advisory, and volunteer roles in international health and development programs. She has a strong background in working with government, non-government, international donors, and UN partners.
Her areas of professional interest are global midwifery contexts, sexual and reproductive health, measurement and learning, health information systems, and health system strengthening.
Qualifications
- 2009: Master of Health and International Development, Flinders University
- 2005: Bachelor of Midwifery, Flinders University
Appointments
- 2025–present: Steering Committee, Oceania Co‐Lead, Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
- 2025–present: Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Coalition, SPHERE CRE
- 2022–present: International Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Consortium (Co‐Chair 2023–25)
- 2015–present: Board Director, Barefoot Initiative
- 2021: Honorary Fellow, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
- 2017: Board Sub‐committee for International Programs, Sight for All
Awards
- 2006: Recognition of Midwifery Excellence Award, Australian College of Midwives, SA
- 2005: Australian College of Midwives Prize for Midwifery, Flinders University
Positions
- 2026–present: Senior Technical Specialist, Global Women's and Newborn's Health, Burnet Institute
- 2020–2025: Technical Officer, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health, Burnet Institute
- 2020–2021: Individual consultant, World Health Organization
- 2019–2020: Impact and Design Manager, KIT International
- 2015–2019: Program Manager, Birthing Kit Foundation Australia
- 2016–2018: Topic Coordinator and Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University
- 2013–2016: Registered Midwife, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, SA Health
- 2011–2013: Maternal Child Health and Family Planning Advisor, CCT-Health, Timor-Leste
- 2010–2011: Community Health Educator, SIPPA, Solomon Islands
- 2006–2010: Registered Midwife, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, SA Health
- 2004–2008: Community Development Volunteer, Barefoot Initiative/APDA, Ethiopia
Burnet publications
View 1 moreStakeholder perspectives on task shifting to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B: A qualitative exploration of midwife- and nurse-led interventions in Vanuatu
PLOS Global Public Health
Leila Bell et al
Long-term outcomes of antenatal corticosteroids for preterm birth: An overview of systematic reviews
PLOS Global Public Health
Saima Sultana et al
Protektem pikinini blong yu trial: protocol for a single arm field trial to assess the effectiveness of treating-all pregnant women with hepatitis B infection with tenofovir prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission in Vanuatu, 2024–2025
BMC Public Health
Leila Bell et al
Current projects
View 1 moreUnderstanding midwife-led birth centres in the Asia Pacific region
We’re researching midwifery-led birth centres in Fiji, Indonesia, Nepal and India.
Protektem Pikinini Blong Yu: Preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Vanuatu
This field trial compares the effectiveness of WHO-based viral load testing guidelines to an alternative model of care.
Strengthening midwifery education: transformative agenda for women, adolescents and youth in the Pacific
We're reviewing and renewing midwifery education curricula in Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu.