
Dr Matt Fisher
Senior Research Fellow
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Dr Matt Fisher is a Senior Research Fellow in Public Health, with the Stretton Health Equity research unit, part of the Stretton Institute and School of Social Sciences at The University of Adelaide. Dr Fisher completed his PhD in political philosophy in 2010, before taking up a research role with the Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity at Flinders University. Since that time, his research has focused on two broad issues: 1) how and why public policy does or does not address social determinants of health and health equity (SDH-HE); and 2) how policy action on social determinants can be improved to promote public health and reduce health inequities.
Dr Fisher’s work has focused mainly on public policy and public health in an Australian context and investigated policy in a range of areas including Australian health policy, Indigenous health, primary health care, telecommunications, urban planning and urban environments, environmental policy, early childhood education, and justice. Dr Fisher’s research on policy has applied a range of theoretical concepts from policy studies to explain policy action or inaction on SDH/HE, such as power, political will, the policy cycle, Kingdon’s three streams model of policy development, and the role of Ideas, Interests, and Institutions in determining policy. He has also contributed to theory development, for example in developing and applying a framework to assess Indigenous cultural safety in public policy and publishing work on the role of universal and targeted policies in advancing health equity. With colleagues, Dr Fisher has also conducted research on digital health services, and on the role of transnational corporations as commercial determinants of health.
Dr Fisher had a particular interest in understanding the social factors that affect chronic stress and mental illness, and what they mean for public policy and social change to prevent mental ill-health and promote human wellbeing. In 2019 he published ‘A theory of public wellbeing’ in BMC Public Health, which defined seven wellbeing abilities and showed how these can be promoted or inhibited by social conditions. In 2021 he developed this theoretical work further in an article on ‘Moving social policy from mental illness to public wellbeing’ published in the Journal of Social Policy. In 2020, with Indigenous colleagues, he published research investigating ‘Theories of Indigenous and non-Indigenous wellbeing in Australian health policies’ in Health Promotion International.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2022 - ongoing Senior Research Fellow The University of Adelaide 2021 - 2021 Senior Lecturer Flinders University 2017 - 2022 Senior Research Fellow Flinders University 2012 - 2017 Research Fellow Flinders University -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2007 - 2010 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD 2004 - 2006 The University of Adelaide Australia Master of Arts - Philosophy -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2023 Fisher, M., Harris, P., Freeman, T., George, E., & Baum, F. (2023). Universal and Targeted Policy for Health Equity in the Neoliberal Era. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 12(1), 2 pages.
2023 Fisher, M. (2023). Multi-sectoral action to promote psychological wellbeing: Theorising the role of place-based policy. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 34(3), 644-650.
2022 Baum, F., Dollard, M., Fisher, M., Freeman, T., & Newman, L. (2022). The Corporate University and its Impact on Health in Australia*. SOCIAL ALTERNATIVES, 41(1), 52-62.
WoS12022 Fisher, M., Freeman, T., Mackean, T., Friel, S., & Baum, F. (2022). Universal Health Coverage for Health Equity: From Principle to Practice; A Response to the Recent Commentaries. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 11(8), 1601-1603.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12022 Anaf, J., Baum, F., Fisher, M., Haigh, F., Miller, E., Gesesew, H., & Freudenberg, N. (2022). Assessing the health impacts of transnational corporations: a case study of Carlton and United Breweries in Australia. Globalization and Health, 18(1), 22 pages.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12022 Mackean, T., Shakespeare, M., & Fisher, M. (2022). Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Theories of Wellbeing and Their Suitability for Wellbeing Policy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 16 pages.
Scopus3 WoS22022 Schram, A., Townsend, B., Mackean, T., Freeman, T., Fisher, M., Harris, P., . . . Friel, S. (2022). Promoting action on structural drivers of health inequity: principles for policy evaluation. Evidence and Policy: a journal of research, debate and practice, 18(4), 761-775.
Scopus3 WoS12022 Musolino, C., Van Eyk, H., Freeman, T., Fisher, M., MacDougall, C., Williams, C., & Baum, F. (2022). Reviving health promotion in South Australia: The role of ideas, actors and institutional forces. Health Promotion International, 37(6), 12 pages.
2022 Freeman, T., Fisher, M., Foley, K., Boyd, M. A., Ward, P. R., McMichael, G., . . . Dekker, G. (2022). Barriers to digital health services among people living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage: Research from hospital diabetes and antenatal clinics.. Health Promot J Austr, 33(3), 751-757.
Scopus22022 Fisher, M., Harris, P., Freeman, T., Mackean, T., George, E., Friel, S., & Baum, F. (2022). Implementing universal and targeted policies for health equity: lessons from Australia. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 11(10), 2308-2318.
Scopus11 WoS9 Europe PMC62022 Roesler, A., Musolino, C., Eyk, H., Flavel, J., Freeman, T., Fisher, M., . . . Baum, F. (2022). Conducting a rapid health promotion audit in suburban Adelaide, South Australia: Can it contribute to revitalising health promotion?. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33(2), 488-498.
Scopus1 WoS12022 Littleton, C., Star, C., Fisher, M., & Ward, P. R. (2022). Policy actors' perceptions on applying a SDH approach in child health policy in Australia: A cross‐disciplinary approach (public health and political science). Australian Journal of Public Administration, 81(1), 70-94.
Scopus3 WoS32021 Fisher, I. M. (2021). Moving Social Policy from Mental Illness to Public Wellbeing. Journal of Social Policy, 51(3), 1-15.
Scopus2 WoS32021 Foley, K., Freeman, T., Ward, P., Lawler, A., Osborne, R., & Fisher, M. (2021). Exploring access to, use of and benefits from population-oriented digital health services in Australia. Health Promotion International, 36(4), 1105-1115.
Scopus22 WoS20 Europe PMC132021 Shakespeare, M., Fisher, M., Mackean, T., & Wilson, R. (2021). Theories of Indigenous and non-Indigenous wellbeing in Australian health policies. Health Promotion International, 36(3), 669-679.
Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC32021 McGreevy, D. M., MacDougall, C., Fisher, M., Henley, M., & Baum, F. (2021). Expediting a renewable energy transition in a privatised market via public policy: The case of south Australia 2004-18. Energy Policy, 148, 14 pages.
Scopus18 WoS162021 Fisher, M., Mackean, T., George, E., Friel, S., & Baum, F. (2021). Stakeholder perceptions of policy implementation for Indigenous health and cultural safety: A study of Australia's 'Closing the Gap' policies. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 80(2), 239-260.
Scopus10 WoS82021 Van Eyk, H., Baum, F., Fisher, M., Macdougall, C., & Lawless, A. (2021). To what extent does early childhood education policy in Australia recognise and propose action on the social determinants of health and health equity?. Journal of Social Policy, 52(3), 1-25.
2021 Anaf, J., Fisher, I., Handsley, E., Baum, F., & Friel, S. (2021). 'Sweet talk': Framing the merits of a sugar tax in Australia. Health Promotion International, 36(5), 1334-1345.
Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC32020 Baum, F., Townsend, B., Fisher, M., Browne-Yung, K., Freeman, T., Ziersch, A., . . . Friel, S. (2020). Creating Political Will for Action on Health Equity: Practical Lessons for Public Health Policy Actors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, 11(7), 14 pages.
Scopus19 WoS14 Europe PMC112020 Fisher, I. M., Freeman, T., Mackean, T., Friel, S., & Baum, F. (2020). Universal Health Coverage for Non-communicable Diseases and Health Equity: Lessons From Australian Primary Healthcare. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, 11(5), 11 pages.
Scopus23 WoS18 Europe PMC162019 George, E., Mackean, T., Baum, F., & Fisher, M. (2019). Social determinants of indigenous health and indigenous rights in policy: A scoping review and analysis of problem representation. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 10(2), 27 pages.
Scopus19 WoS182019 Delany-Crowe, T., Marinova, D., Fisher, I. M., McGreevy, M., & Baum, F. (2019). Australian policies on water management and climate change: Are they supporting the sustainable development goals and improved health and well-being?. Globalization and Health, 15(1), 15 pages.
Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC12019 Anaf, J., Baum, F., Fisher, M., & London, L. (2019). The health impacts of extractive industry transnational corporations: A study of Rio Tinto in Australia and Southern Africa. Globalization and Health, 15(1), 20 pages.
Scopus20 WoS17 Europe PMC112019 Fisher, I. (2019). A theory of public wellbeing. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 12 pages.
Scopus23 WoS21 Europe PMC92019 Fisher, M., Battams, S., McDermott, D., Baum, F., & MacDougall, C. (2019). How the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health became Policy Reality for Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan. Journal of Social Policy, 48(1), 169-189.
Scopus12 WoS102019 Freeman, T., Fisher, M., Baum, F., & Friel, S. (2019). Healthy infrastructure: Australian National Broadband Network policy implementation and its importance to health equity. Information Communication and Society, 22(10), 1414-1431.
Scopus10 WoS102018 Windle, A., Fisher, I., Freeman, T., Baum, F., Javanparast, S., Kay, A., & Kidd, M. (2018). Increased private health fund involvement in Australia's primary health care: Implications for health equity. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 53(4), 338-354.
Scopus5 WoS52018 Schram, A., Friel, S., Freeman, T., Fisher, M., Baum, F., & Harris, P. (2018). Digital Infrastructure as a Determinant of Health Equity: An Australian Case Study of the Implementation of the National Broadband Network. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 77(4), 829-842.
Scopus17 WoS122018 Lee, J., Schram, A., Riley, E., Harris, P., Baum, F., Fisher, I. M., . . . Friel, S. (2018). Addressing health equity through action on the social determinants of health: A global review of policy outcome evaluation methods. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7(7), 581-592.
Scopus17 WoS12 Europe PMC92018 Anaf, J., Baum, F., & Fisher, I. M. (2018). A citizens’ jury on regulation of McDonald's products and operations in Australia in response to a corporate health impact assessment. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 42(2), 133-139.
Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC32018 Baum, F., Graycar, A., Delany-Crowe, T., de Leeuw, E., Bacchi, C., Popay, J., . . . Fitzgerald, J. (2018). Understanding Australian policies on public health using social and political science theories: reflections from an Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia Workshop. Health Promotion International, 34(4), 833-846.
Scopus15 WoS11 Europe PMC72018 Smith, J., Griffiths, K., Judd, J., Crawford, G., D'Antoine, H., Fisher, M., . . . Harris, P. (2018). Ten years on from the World Health Organization Commission of Social Determinants of Health: Progress or procrastination?. Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 29(1), 3-7.
Scopus24 WoS20 Europe PMC82017 Fisher, I. M., Baum, F., Kay, A., & Friel, S. (2017). Are changes in Australian national primary healthcare policy likely to promote or impede equity of access? A narrative review. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 23(3), 209-215.
Scopus13 WoS14 Europe PMC52017 Fisher, M., Baum, F. E., MacDougall, C., Newman, L., McDermott, D., & Phillips, C. (2017). Intersectoral action on SDH and equity in Australian health policy. Health Promotion International, 32(6), 953-963.
Scopus28 WoS24 Europe PMC142017 Anaf, J., Baum, F. E., Fisher, M., Harris, E., & Friel, S. (2017). Assessing the health impact of transnational corporations: A case study on McDonald's Australia. Globalization and Health, 13(1), 16 pages.
Scopus35 WoS29 Europe PMC172016 Baum, F. E., Sanders, D. M., Fisher, M., Anaf, J., Freudenberg, N., Friel, S., . . . Sen, A. (2016). Assessing the health impact of transnational corporations: Its importance and a framework. Globalization and Health, 12(1), 7 pages.
Scopus51 WoS57 Europe PMC312016 Fisher, M., Baum, F. E., MacDougall, C., Newman, L., & Mcdermott, D. (2016). To what extent do Australian health policy documents address social determinants of health and health equity?. Journal of Social Policy, 45(3), 545-564.
Scopus45 WoS392016 Phillips, C., Fisher, M., Baum, F., MacDougall, C., Newman, L., & McDermott, D. (2016). To what extent do Australian child and youth health policies address the social determinants of health and health equity?: A document analysis study. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 12 pages.
Scopus21 WoS20 Europe PMC122016 Fisher, M., Milos, D., Baum, F., & Friel, S. (2016). Social determinants in an Australian urban region: A 'complexity' lens. Health Promotion International, 31(1), 163-174.
Scopus15 WoS11 Europe PMC72015 Fisher, M., Baum, F., MacDougall, C., Newman, L., & McDermott, D. (2015). A qualitative methodological framework to assess uptake of evidence on social determinants of health in health policy. Evidence and Policy, 11(4), 491-507.
Scopus18 WoS172014 Baum, F. E., Laris, P., Fisher, M., Newman, L. A., & MacDougall, C. (2014). Dear health minister: Tend the garden but make sure you fence the crocodiles. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(4), 295-296.
Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC22014 Baum, F., & Fisher, M. (2014). Why behavioural health promotion endures despite its failure to reduce health inequities. Sociology of Health and Illness, 36(2), 213-225.
Scopus271 WoS243 Europe PMC1182013 Baum, F., Fisher, M., Trewin, D., & Duvnjak, A. (2013). Funding the 'H' in NHMRC. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 37(6), 503-505.
Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC22013 Baum, F. E., Laris, P., Fisher, M., Newman, L., & MacDougall, C. (2013). "Never mind the logic, give me the numbers": Former Australian health ministers' perspectives on the social determinants of health. Social Science and Medicine, 87, 138-146.
Scopus66 WoS58 Europe PMC372011 Baum, F., & Fisher, M. (2011). Are the national preventive health initiatives likely to reduce health inequities?. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 17(4), 320-326.
Scopus14 WoS14 Europe PMC102010 Fisher, M., & Baum, F. (2010). The social determinants of mental health: Implications for research and health promotion. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(12), 1057-1063.
Scopus99 WoS95 Europe PMC522010 Baum, F., & Fisher, M. (2010). Health equity and sustainability: Extending the work of the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. Critical Public Health, 20(3), 311-322.
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2022 Anaf, J., Fisher, M., & Baum, F. (2022). Using Critical Theory to Research Commercial Determinants of Health: Health Impact Assessment of the Practices and Products of Transnational Corporations. In Global Handbook of Health Promotion Research, Vol. 1: Mapping Health Promotion Research (pp. 497-511). Springer International Publishing.
2020 Fisher, M., Scanlon, C., Deojee, B., Hutton, V., & Sisko, S. (2020). Classism. In V. Hutton, & S. Sisko (Eds.), Multicultural Responsiveness in Counselling and Psychology: Working with Australian Populations (pp. 103-123). Switzerland: Springer Nature.
2014 Baum, F., & Fisher, M. (2014). Why Behavioural Health Promotion Endures Despite Its Failure to Reduce Health Inequities. In From Health Behaviours to Health Practices: Critical Perspectives (pp. 57-68). Wiley.
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2020 Baum, F., Townsend, B., Fisher, M., Freeman, T., Harris, P., Browne-Yung, K., & Friel, S. (2020). Gaining political will for actions to achieve health equity: lessons from Australia for advocates. In EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Vol. 30 (pp. 1 page). OXFORD UNIV PRESS. 2019 MacDougall, C., Delany-Crowe, T., Baum, F., Fisher, M., & McGreevy, M. (2019). Energy policy as a social determinant of Australian health equity. In EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Vol. 29 (pp. 2 pages). OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
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Conference Items
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Consulting/Advisories
Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country 2023 - ongoing University of Adelaide Stretton Health Equity Advocacy Australia -
Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
Date Title Type Institution Country 2010 - ongoing Peer review of journal articles in my field Peer Review University of Adelaide Australia
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External Profiles