Vicki Kerrigan is a qualitative researcher and PhD candidate at Menzies School of Health Research. She believes stories have the power to inspire positive change. Living on Larrakia country, Darwin NT, she works with stakeholders to conduct participatory action research which identifies areas requiring social and institutional change and tests solutions. Vicki’s research focuses on intercultural communication, cultural safety and racism in healthcare, and cultural education. She also has research experience in rheumatic heart disease and tobacco control. As part of her PhD research, she produced the multi award winning podcast: Ask the Specialist: Larrakia, Tiwi and Yolngu stories to inspire better healthcare. She was a finalist in the 2020 CSL Florey Next Generation Award which recognised her contributions to redeveloping cultural education. During COVID-19 she collaborated with Aboriginal leaders to produce five short health promotion videos (in English, Kriol, Warlpiri, Tiwi & Djambarrpuyngu) for people with chronic illness. She holds a Masters in International and Community Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She brings to research two decades of experience as an ABC Radio broadcaster (including ABC Darwin, Triple J and Radio National), a multimedia producer and workshop facilitator.

Supervisors: Anna Ralph, Bilawara Lee, Alan Cass and Marita Hefler