Fran Baum

Professor Fran Baum

NHMRC Externally-Funded Research Fellow (E)

School of Social Sciences

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Professor Fran Baum AO is a public health social scientist with a special interest in creating healthy, equitable and sustainable societies. She is a professor of health equity, The Stretton Institute, The University of Adelaide, Australia.From 2009-2021 she was a Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor and Director of the Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity at Flinders University.She received an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her public health service. She is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and of the Australian Health Promotion Association.She is a past National President and Life Member of the Public Health Association of Australia.She is co-Chair of the Global Steering Council of the People’s Health Movement – a global network of health activist (www.phmovement.org ). She is the author of The New Public Health (2016, Oxford University Press) and Governing for Health (2019 Oxford University Press). Fran is an activist academic who advocates for a fairer, more sustainable and healthy world.She has held multiple grants from the National Health & Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council which are considering health inequities and public policy, social determinants of health and Health in All Policies. She holds an NHMRC Investigator Grant which provides $2.24M for a research program entitled "Restoring the Fair Go: which policies and practices are likely to reverse growing health inequities in Australia post-COVID-19".Fran is program director of the Stretton Health Equity.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2022 - ongoing Director, Stretton Health Equity University of Adelaide
    2019 - ongoing Honorary Professor University of the Western Cape
    2017 - ongoing Honorary Professor Australian National University
    2012 - 2021 Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Flinders University
    2009 - 2021 Professor and Foundation Director Flinders University
    1997 - 2021 Professor of Public Health Flinders University
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2016 Award Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) Australian Government Australia -
    2015 Award Lambie Dew Medal University of Sydney Australia -
    2014 Award Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Flinders ‘Researcher of the Year’ Flinders University Australia -
    2012 Award Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor VC Award Flinders University Australia -
    2011 Award Leadership for Health Promotion Award Australian Health Promotion Association - SA Branch Australia -
    2009 Nomination Finalist South Australian Scientist of the Year Award South Australian State Government Australia -
    2009 Nomination Finalist, SA Australian of the Year South Australian Government Australia -
    2007 Recognition Appointed Life Member, Public Health Association of Australia Public Health Association of Australia Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    1976 - 1980 University of Nottingham United Kingdom PhD
  • Research Interests

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Co-Supervisor Towards influencing policy: A systems science approach to food policy advocacy to improve health, health equity and environmental outcomes in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Gina Maree Absalom
    2025 Co-Supervisor Exploring Intersectoral Policy Responses to Address Social and Commercial Determinants of Suicide Risk in South Australian Public Policy Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Jessica Elizabeth Nitschke
    2024 Principal Supervisor To what extent have the practises of Victorian community health centres reflected the principles of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and subsequent WHO Global Health Promotion Conference documents? Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Richard Charles John Porter
    2023 Principal Supervisor To what extent do South Australian food, agricultural and environmental polices help or hinder the development of a healthy, sustainable and equitable food system in South Australia? Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Amanda Louise Hayes
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2003 - 2009 Co-Supervisor A Life Course Approach to Measuring Socioeconomic Position in Population Surveillance and its Role in Determining Health Status Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time APrf Catherine Chittleborough
  • Position: NHMRC Externally-Funded Research Fellow (E)
  • Phone: 83134655
  • Email: fran.baum@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Napier, floor Ground Floor
  • Room: G24
  • Org Unit: School of Social Sciences

Connect With Me
External Profiles