Dr Susan Banks

Susan uses qualitative methods—including ethnographic approaches, action learning, and visual sociology—to better understand health phenomena (understood very broadly) and work with marginalised people to improve access to the social determinants of health. She partners with community organisations (e.g., neighbourhood and community centres, disability organisations, sector peak bodies, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations).

Susan has received public funding to research opportunities to enhance public health in place-based, locally-driven ways, and for particular groups, including people with intellectual disability. Susan has shared the work she and her colleagues do through more widely accessible means, including Plain and Easy English publications, public presentations, radio and local newspapers, and online sites including Croaky and national blogs, and with policy makers more directly. All her work is linked by an interest in the sociology of emotions, recognition theory and social policy.