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Monash University Department of Rural and Indigenous Health

Associate Professor Priscilla Pyett

Lecturer—Indigenous Health Research

Telephone: +61 3 5128 1031
Facsimile: +61 3 5128 1080
Email: Priscilla.Pyett@med.monash.edu.au

I am a sociologist and public health researcher with over 9 years experience conducting collaborative research with Victorian Aboriginal communities. I have recently joined MUDRIH from the University of Melbourne where I was Senior Research Fellow in the Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit. For the past 6 years I was also an honorary researcher-in-residence at the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO). I have over 20 years experience in public health research across a range of sensitive topics and working specifically with disadvantaged and marginalised population groups. My particular expertise and interests lie in collaborative and participatory approaches to health research and in qualitative research methods. My role at MUDRIH is to work under the leadership of Associate Professor Marlene Drysdale to build our research capacity around Indigenous health.

Academic Qualifications

2000 DHSc (Deakin University)
1985 BA (Hons) (Monash University)

Research Interests

• Indigenous health
• Collaborative and participatory research methodology
• Research ethics
• Social and economic determinants of health
• Nutrition and physical activity for Indigenous communities

Research Experience

My current research projects are focussing on nutrition and physical activity in Indigenous communities, and improving mainstream diabetes care for Indigenous Australians. I have previously conducted research in the areas of research ethics, research partnerships, alcohol and other drug use, fetal alcohol syndrome, oestrogen treatment to reduce the height of adolescent girls, people living with Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, women engaged in sex work and women using emergency contraception. I have been a chief investigator on state and nationally competitive research grants and have published widely in national and international refereed journals. I have also presented at national and international conferences and produced community reports for a range of community groups and policy or professional audiences. In 2006 I co-edited the first special issue of the Journal of Sociology devoted specifically to Indigenous issues ‘Beyond the margins/beyond marginality’. Prior to joining MUDRIH I have been a full-time researcher at the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University.

Current Projects

Making healthy choices for ourselves: Partnerships for healthy eating and physical activity in Aboriginal Communities The aim of this project is to identify the key factors and processes that influence Victorian Aboriginal Communities to better understand and participate in nutrition and physical activity initiatives. Four participatory action research projects are being conducted in Aboriginal Health Services in Victoria (2 rural, 1 regional, 1 metropolitan). A central focus of this research is the transfer of skills and expertise ‘both ways’ so that Aboriginal Health Workers may more fully take control of their own Community health initiatives and non-Aboriginal health service providers may better understand and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Improving mainstream diabetes care for urban Indigenous Australians

Diabetes is a major cause of death and disability in Australia, with significantly higher rates of diabetes amongst Indigenous Australians. The aim of this project is to determine enablers and barriers for urban Indigenous Australians accessing mainstream health services for their diabetes care and to develop a diabetes clinical intervention ready for pilot-testing. It is anticipated that the intervention will be adapted for use in rural and regional settings. This study has the potential to improve the cultural appropriateness of mainstream general practice and primary care, the cultural competency of primary care clinicians, and the cultural safety of patients.

Research grants

Publications
Articles in Peer Reviewed Journals

• Pyett, P., Waples-Crowe, P. & van der Sterren, A. (2009) ‘Engaging with Aboriginal Communities in an Urban Context: some practical suggestions for public health researchers.’ Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 33(1) 51-4.
• Pyett, P., Waples-Crowe, P. & van der Sterren, A. (2008) ‘Challenging our own practices in Indigenous health promotion and research.’ Health Promotion Journal of Australia 19 (3) 179-183.
• Venn, A., Hosmer, T., Hosmer, D., Bruinsma, F., Jones. P., Lumley, J., Pyett, P., Rayner, J-A. & Werther, G. (2008) ‘Oestrogen treatment for tall stature in girls: Estimating the effect on height and the error in height prediction.’ Clinical Endocrinology 68 (6) 926-929.
• Pyett, P. (2008) ‘Book review: Researching the vulnerable: a guide to sensitive research methods, P. Liamputtong.’ Qualitative Research Journal 8 (1) 80-82.
• Campbell, D., Pyett, P. and McCarthy, L. (2007) ‘Community development interventions to improve Aboriginal health: building an evidence base.’ Health Sociology Review 16 (3-4):304-14.
• Walter, M., Pyett, P., Tyler, B. & Vanderwyk, A. [Editorial] (2006) ‘Beyond the margins/beyond marginality.’ Journal of Sociology 42(4):341-5.
• Stewart, P., Shibasaki, S., Anderson, I., Pyett, P., Dunbar, T. & Devitt, J. [letter] (2006) ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in ethical review of health research.’ Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 30 (3) 291-2.
• Bruinsma, F., Venn, A., Patton, G., Rayner, J., Pyett, P., Werther, G., Jones, P., Lumley, J. (2006) ‘Concern about tall stature during adolescence and depression in later life.’ Journal of Affective Disorders 91 145-152.
• Pyett, P., Rayner, J., Venn, A., Werther, G., Bruinsma, F., & Lumley, J. (2005) ‘Using hormone treatment to reduce the adult height of tall girls: are women satisfied with the decision in later years?’ Social Science & Medicine 61 1629-1639.
• Venn, A., Bruinsma, F., Werther, G., Pyett, P., Baird, D., Jones, P., Rayner, J., Lumley, J. & Drop, S.L.S. (2005) ‘Estrogen treatment in adolescence for tall stature: reduced fertility and fecundity in later life.’ Evidence-based Obstetrics and Gynecology 7 (3) 141-142.
• Venn, A., Bruinsma, F., Werther, G., Pyett, P., Baird, D., Jones, P., Rayner, J. & Lumley, J. (2004) ‘Oestrogen treatment to reduce the adult height of tall girls: long-term effects on fertility.’ The Lancet 364 1513-1518.
• Gillam, L. and Pyett, P. (2003) ‘A Commentary on the NHMRC “Draft Values and Ethics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research.”’ Monash Bioethics Review 22 (4) 8-19.
• Pyett, P. (2003) ‘Validation of qualitative research in the “real world.”’ Qualitative Health Research 13 (8) 1170-1179.
• Pyett, P. and VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit (2002) ‘Towards reconciliation in Indigenous health research: the responsibilities of the non-Indigenous researcher.’ Contemporary Nurse 14 (1) 56-65.
• Pyett, P. (2002) ‘Working together to reduce health inequalities: reflections on a collaborative participatory approach to health research.’ Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 26 (4) 332-6.
• Kirkman, M., Harrison, L., Hillier, L., & Pyett, P. (2001). ‘“I know I’m doing a good job”: Canonical and autobiographical narratives of teenage mothers.’ Culture, Health and Sexuality, 3 (3) 279–294.
• Warr, D. and Pyett, P. (1999) ‘Difficult relations: sex work, love and intimacy.’ Sociology of Health & Illness 21 (3) 290-309.
• Pyett, P. and Warr, D. (1999) ‘Women at risk in sex work: strategies for survival.’ Journal of Sociology 35 (2) 55-69.
• Pyett, P. and Warr, D. (1997) ‘Vulnerability on the streets: female sex workers and HIV risk.’ AIDS Care 9 (5) 439-547.
• Pyett, P., Haste, B.R. and Snow, J. (1996) ‘Risk practices for HIV infection and other STDs amongst female prostitutes working in legalised brothels.’ AIDS Care 8 (1) 85-94.
• Pyett, P., Haste, B.R. and Snow, J. (1996) ‘Who works in the sex industry? A profile of female prostitutes in Victoria.’ Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 20 (3) 431-433.
• Temple-Smith, M., Hammond, J., Pyett, P. and Presswell, N. (1996) ‘Risky business: sexual history-taking in general practice.’ Australian Family Physician: REASON 25 (9) Supp. 2: S71-S74.
• Pyett, P. (1996) ‘Postcoital contraception: who uses the “morning after pill”?’ Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 36 (3) 347-350.
• McDermott, F. and Pyett, P. (1994) ‘Co-existent psychiatric illness and drug abuse: a community study.’ Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 1 (1), 45-52.
• Pyett, P. and McDermott, F. (1993) ‘Dual problems or a problem for dual systems? Meeting the needs of people who have both a serious psychiatric disorder and problematic drug or alcohol use.’ Australian Disability Review, 3, 38-47.
• McDermott, F. and Pyett, P. (1992) ‘Minimising Harm in Research.’ The lnternational Journal on Drug Policy, 3 (3), 135-140.

Book Chapters

• Campbell, D., Pyett, P., McCarthy, L., Whiteside, M. and Tsey, K. (2007) ‘Community development and empowerment – a review of interventions to improve Aboriginal health.’ In Anderson, I., Baum, F. and Bentley, M. (eds) Beyond Bandaids: exploring the underlying social determinants of Aboriginal health. Darwin: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal health pp165-180.
• Warr, D. and Pyett, P. (2003) ‘Difficult relations: sex work, love and intimacy.’ In Cheal, D. (ed) Family: critical concepts in sociology, London, Routledge 289-307.
• Pyett, P. (2001) ‘Innovation and compromise: responsibility and reflexivity in research with vulnerable groups.’ In Daly, J. Guillemin, M. & Hill, S., (eds) Technologies and Health: critical compromises, Melbourne, Oxford University Press 105-119.
• Pyett, P. (1998) ‘Researching with sex workers: a privilege and a challenge.’ In Elias, J., Bullough, V., Elias, V. and Brewer, G. (eds) Prostitution: On Whores, Hustlers and Johns. Los Angeles: Prometheus 368-75.

Monographs

• MacLean, S., Warr, D & Pyett, P. (2008) Universities Working with and for Communities: strategies for collaborative community research and knowledge exchange. Policy Signpost #2. The McCaughey Centre: VicHealth Centre for the promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, University of Melbourne.
• Stewart, P. and Pyett, P. (2005) Victorian Aboriginal Ethics Project Report. Melbourne: Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit.
• Positive Women Victoria and the AFAO/NAPWA Education Team, with Priscilla Pyett. (2000) Treat Yourself Right: information for women with HIV and AIDS. AFAO and NAPWA.
• Pyett, P., Warr, D. and Pope, J. (1999) It Goes with the Territory: Street sex work is risky business. Monograph No. 16. Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society.
• Smith, A., Haste, B.,Pyett, P. and Temple-Smith, M. (1995) The social and economic consequences of HIV and other sexually transmissible diseases in Australia: an annotated bibliography. Melbourne: Centre for the Study of Sexually Transmissible Diseases.
• McDermott, F. and Pyett, P. (1993) Not Welcome Anywhere: people who have both a serious psychiatric disorder and problematic drug or alcohol use. Report prepared for Victorian Community Managed Mental Health Services Inc.. Melbourne: Victorian Community Managed Mental Health Services Inc.
• Pyett, P. (1991) Social and Behavioural Aspects of the Prevention of HIV/AIDS in Australia: A Critical Review of the Literature, Working Paper No. 13. Melbourne: National Centre for Health Program Evaluation.
• McDermott, F., Pyett, P. and Hamilton M. (1991) Evaluate Yourself: A Handbook for Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Agencies. Melbourne, National Campaign Against Drug Abuse.
• Dunt, D., Richardson, J., Daly, J., Temple-Smith, M., Pyett, P., Day, N. and O’Connor, R. (1990) An evaluation framework for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Working Paper No. 3. Melbourne: National Centre for Health Program Evaluation.

Articles in Non-Refereed Journals

• Pyett, P. (2008) ‘Reflecting on a role for Sociology in Indigenous Health.’ Nexus
• Walter, M. & Pyett, P. (2008) ‘Closing the gap in Sociology.’ [Editorial] Nexus
• MacLean, S, Warr, D & Pyett, P (2008) ‘Promoting collaborative and participatory research with disadvantaged communities.’ In Touch: Newsletter of the Public Health Association of Australia. 25 (2), pp 6-7.
• Pyett, P., Waples-Crowe, P., Loughron, K.H. & Gallagher, J. (2008) ‘Healthy pregnancies, healthy babies for Koori communities: some of the issues around alcohol and pregnancy.’ Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal 32 (1):30-32.
• Pyett, P., Loughron, K.H. & Waples-Crowe, P. (2007) ‘The real danger of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.’ In Touch: the newsletter of the Public Health Association of Australia 24 (3) p4
• Pyett, P. Waples-Crowe, P. & Loughron, K.H. (2007).‘Raising concerns about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.’ Gwalwa-Gai: the newsletter for the CRC for Aboriginal Health 7
• Stewart, P., Shibasaki, S., Anderson, I., Pyett, P., Dunbar, T. & Devitt, J. (2006) ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the ethical review of health research.’ Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal 30 (6):22-24.
• Walter, M. & Pyett, P. (2006) ‘Australian sociology engages with Indigenous issues.’ Nexus 18 (1) 14.
• Waples-Crowe, P. & Pyett, P. (2006) ‘Learning from a successful partnership between mainstream and Indigenous organisations.’ Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal 30 (2), 4-5, 33.
• Pyett, P. & Walter, M. (2004) ‘Where is the sociology of Indigenous issues? Please explain?’ Nexus 16 (3), 9-10.
• Kirkman, M., Harrison, L., Hillier, L., & Pyett, P. (2002) ‘Teenage mothers: “It’s not what people think; it’s how you feel yourself.”’ Echo 41 (1), 15-23
• Pyett, P., Warr, D. and Pope, J. (1999) ‘Life on the streets’. National AIDS Bulletin 12 (5), 20-21.
• Crofts, N., Louie, R., Pyett, P. and Snow, J. (1999) ‘Project Client Call—Men who pay for sex in Victoria.’ Victorian Infectious Diseases Bulletin 2 (2), 30-32.
• Pyett, P. (1998) ‘Doing it together: sex workers and researchers.’ Research for Sex Work June, 11-13.
• Pyett. P. and Warr, D. (1996) ‘Women at risk in sex work.’ National AIDS Bulletin 10 (5), 32-33.

Reports

• Pyett, P. with Loughron, K., Waples-Crowe, P. & Williams, R. (2007) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A literature review for the ‘Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies for Koori Communities’ Project. Premier’s Drug Prevention Council, Department of Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria.
• Waples-Crowe, P., Pyett, P., Loughron, K. & Williams, R. (2007) Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies for Koori Communities : A report for the Koori Community on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Premier’s Drug Prevention Council, Department of Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria.
• Waples-Crowe, P. & Pyett, P. (2005) The Making of a Great Relationship: a review of a healthy partnership between mainstream and Indigenous organisations. Melbourne: Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
• Louie, R., Crofts, N., Pyett, P. and Snow, J. (1998) Project Client Call: men who pay for sex in Victoria. Melbourne: Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research.
• Pyett. P. and Warr, D. (1996) When 'gut instinct' is not enough: women at risk in sex work. Report to the community. Melbourne: Centre for the Study of Sexually Transmissible Diseases.
• Pyett, P. (1995) Living with herpes. Report to the Melbourne Herpes Self-Help Group (HELM). Melbourne: Centre for the Study of Sexually Transmissible Diseases.
• Pyett, P., Haste, B. and Snow, J. (1995) Profile of Workers in the Sex Industry, Melbourne. Report to the Prostitutes’ Collective of Victoria. Melbourne: Centre for the Study of Sexually Transmissible Diseases (La Trobe University).
• McDermott, F. and Pyett, P. (1991) The Users’ Guide: An Evaluation. Report prepared for the Fitzroy Legal Service. Melbourne: Fitzroy Legal Service.
• Pyett, P., McDermott, F. and Frank, L. (1991) Every woman who has spoken about their story has told my story. Report from the 1991 National Women and Drugs Conference Melbourne. Melbourne: Addiction Research Institute.
• Temple-Smith, M., Gifford, S. and Pyett, P. (1989) Research Relating to Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS in Victoria. Report prepared for the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. Melbourne: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

Refereed Conference Proceedings

• MacLean, S, Warr, D & Pyett, P (2008) ‘Working at the interface of research and practice: the value and challenges of community liaison officer roles’ Proceedings of the Annual Conference of The Australian Sociological Association, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, December 2008.
• Pyett, P., McDermott, F., Hamilton M. and Robinson, R. (1992) Evaluation in Action: Making it Work in the Alcohol and Drug Field, in Evaluation: Making it Work, Proceedings of the Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference, Melbourne, July 1992, 2 (82) 1-5.
• Hamilton, M., McDermott, F., Pyett, P. and Lagay, B. (1990) ‘Good Enough’ Programme Evaluation, in Hando, J. (Ed.) Evaluating Clients and Treatment: Proceedings from the Fourth National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre Annual Symposium, Sydney, November, 1990, NDARC Monograph 11, 67-79.

Website

Advice to Researchers on Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) website.

Postgraduate Supervision

Principal Supervisor

• Anton Isaacs (PhD commenced 2007)
  ‘Factors that facilitate and inhibit utilisation of mental health services by indigenous men in Gippsland: A case study.’
  Monash University Department of Rural and Indigenous Health.
• Fran Edmonds (PhD awarded 2008)
  ‘“Art is Us”: Southeast Australian Aboriginal Art and its connection to identity and wellbeing.’
  Centre for Health and Society, University of Melbourne
• Vikki Sinnott (MPH awarded 2004)
  Centre for Health and Society, University of Melbourne

Co-supervisor

• Bridget Roberts (PhD commenced 2009)
  ‘Dual diagnosis: the development and use of evidence to guide policy and practice.’
  Monash University Department of Rural and Indigenous Health
• Eamonn O’Toole (Master of Primary Health Care commenced 2007)
  What are the barriers for the Indigenous population managing Type 2 diabetes in an urban setting?’
  Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne.
• Joanne Rayner (PhD awarded 2009)
  ‘Cosmetic Endocrinology: (Re)constructing Femininity in Tall Girls - Exploring the risk for depression among women assessed and/or treated for tall stature as adolescents.’
  Mother & Child Health Research, La Trobe University
• Paul Stewart (MPH awarded 2007) Institute of Koorie Education,
  Deakin University

Membership of Professional Associations

• The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) (1987-)
  Co-founder and member TASA Indigenous Thematic Group (2006-)
• Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) (1989-)
  Member PHAA Special Interest Group in Aboriginal Health (2000-)