Robert Monaghan is a descendant of the Bundjalung (on his Grandmother’s side) and Gumbaynggir (on his Grandfather’s side) Nations, his family and extended family are from the North Coast NSW alongside the Clarence River at Baryulgil.
He has worked within the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector with national, state and local governments for over 25 years.
Robert is the Kirby Institute’s inaugural Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. In this role, he leads the development of systems, policies, and a cultural framework to support the Kirby Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, is Chair of the Kirby Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research advisory committee, and a member of the Executive Committee.
He has worked as a Project Officer with the Kirby Institute’s Surveillance and Evaluation Research Program since 2014. Robert is also completing a PhD with the Kirby Institute, which is focused on identifying the barriers and enablers for Aboriginal men accessing culturally appropriate health services to enhance the testing and treatment of STIs and blood-borne viruses. Through his work, Robert is implementing Indigenous Research and evaluation methodologies such as yarning circles and men’s gatherings to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Robert competed his Master of Public Health at UNSW Sydney in 2018.
Robert has a diverse range of learnt and lived experiences that he attributes to working in and with communities that are passionate about equality for Aboriginal people and culture. Throughout his career, he has been exposed to a diverse range of client groups, services models and practices, working environments, and stakeholders, which have enabled him to apply a high level of flexibility and proficiency in communication, innovation, management, research, and technical expertise.