![Deborah van Gaans](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/public/profile-images/9880.jpeg?itok=kJ6tlwZY)
Deborah van Gaans
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
I am a spatial scientist who uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify inequity in service accessibility. My research focus is to improve the quality of life for all people and in particular the disadvantaged.
Dr. van Gaans has over 25 years of experience in social science research. Her research is focused on improving the equity in health service provision through understanding the geographic and socio-economic aspects of accessibility. Deborah's innovative research has been undertaken in direct partnership with health service providers, state and federal government and community. Her research focus is to improve the quality of life for all people and in particular the disadvantaged. She has been acknowledged as a prominent national and international leader within the spatial industry. Dr. van Gaans has won peer reviewed excellence awards for her innovative health service modelling and was the recipient of the 2012 South Australian Spatial Excellence Community Contribution Award, 2014 South Australian Spatial Excellence Postgraduate Award, and the 2018 Geospatial World Excellence Award for the Application of Geospatial Technology in Health Services.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2017 - ongoing Research Fellow: Spatial Epidemiology University of South Australia -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2019 Award Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence People & Community Award Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute Australia - 2018 Award Geospatial World Excellence Award for Application of Geospatial Technology in Health Services. Geospatial World forum India - 2015 Award National Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Award (APSEA) Finalist - Australia - 2014 Award South Australian Spatial Excellence Award (SASEA) Postgraduate Research Award - Australia - 2012 Award South Australian Spatial Excellence Award (SASEA) Community Contribution. - Australia - 2007 Scholarship Australian Research Council Postgraduate Award (Industry) - Australia - -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2013 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy 2003 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Masters of Applied Science 1990 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Post Graduate Diploma of Applied Science 1989 Flinders University, Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Arts Degree -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Conference Papers
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Conference Items
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Report for External Bodies
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Theses
Year Citation 2013 van Gaans, D. A. (2013). The Accessibility of Phase 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Rural and Remote Australia.. (PhD Thesis, University of Adelaide).
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Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2017 - ongoing Member Health Informatics Society of Australia Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2017 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Research in Health Sciences - -
Connect With Me
External Profiles