Overview
Dr Akbar is a Pacific Fijian academic and researcher with extensive experience in community development research and teaching and has contributed to the Australian and International higher education sectors. Dr Akbar’s teaching and research are shaping how Indigenous knowledge is used to address the health inequities and social determinants of health of First Nations Peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori & Pasifika (Pacific Islander) communities through co-designed solutions with the communities, and integrating community participatory action research and Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems with social justice principles to promote equitable health and wellbeing. Heena's research addresses the social, cultural and economic burden of chronic conditions through a strength-based approach and impacts policy development that translates to better health outcomes for First Nations peoples, particularly Māori & Pasifika peoples in Australia and Internationally.
Research Interests
-
Health and Wellbeing of Māori and Pasifika communities
We are currently working with Māori and Pasifika communities to co-design and co-develop programs and initiatives that promote holistic health and wellbeing. -
Women’s health with a particular focus on chronic condition prevention and management
We are currently piloting the Pasifika Women's Wellness Program for Maori and Pasifika women living with type 2 diabetes. This program was co-developed with the Pasifika communities in Southeast Queensland. -
Community- based participatory action research and Indigenous methodologies (Pacific Indigenous approaches)
We use Pacific Indigenous frameworks (Pacific Health Models) and methodologies and approaches embedded within emancipatory and social justice principles. -
Cultural and social determinants of health
Health inequities and cultural and social determinants of health are foundational in my teaching and research. My teaching focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Public Health and Social Determinants of Health to address health inequities. I use my research and community development experiences with First Nations communities and share these in the teaching & learning space with my students.
Research Impacts
Dr Akbar's work frames Pacific knowledge systems, Pacific Health models and Indigenous methodology to develop participatory co-designed solutions with First Nations, Maori and Pacific communities to address health inequatie. As a Pacific researcher, Heena works with Maori and Pacific communities in Australia and internationally to promote health and wellness as well as bringing the Pacific researchers to lead Māori and Pacific researcrh in Australia.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
- Masters of Public Health (Community Nutrition), The University of Queensland
- BApps(Hons), Queensland University of Technology
Publications
-
Journal Article: The political and legal determinants of CALD communities: an unhealthy (modern) healthcare paradigm
Al-Kassimi, Khaled, Kwan, Angela T.H., Portnoff, Jacob S. and Akbar, Heena (2023). The political and legal determinants of CALD communities: an unhealthy (modern) healthcare paradigm. Baltic Journal of Law and Politics, 16 (3), 1046-1055. doi: 10.2478/bjlp-2023-0000083
-
Journal Article: Towards collective community education: Pasifika diabetes health forums in Southeast Queensland, Australia
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle, Aunty Wynn Te Kani of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou decent, Anderson, Debra and Windsor, Carol (2023). Towards collective community education: Pasifika diabetes health forums in Southeast Queensland, Australia. AlterNative. doi: 10.1177/11771801231196777
-
Conference Publication: Gender lens and Talanoa Indigenous perspective in diabetes research with Pacific women.
Akbar, Heena (2022). Gender lens and Talanoa Indigenous perspective in diabetes research with Pacific women.. IDF World Diabetes Congress , Lisbon, Portugal , 5 - 8 December 2022. Lisbon, Portugal : IDF.
Grants
-
(2022–2024) NHMRC MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission
Supervision
-
Supporting Type 2 Diabetes Management and Medication Adherence in the M¿ori and Pacific Islander Community in Queensland
Doctor Philosophy
-
Towards Social Justice for the Hijra Community
Doctor Philosophy
-
Exploring teaching practices as a pathways to promoting engagement with food security and climate action.
Master Philosophy
Publications
Book
-
Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program
Akbar, Heena, Niumata, Winnie and Te Kani, Aunty Wynn (2022). Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Community Mentors International.
Journal Article
-
The political and legal determinants of CALD communities: an unhealthy (modern) healthcare paradigm
Al-Kassimi, Khaled, Kwan, Angela T.H., Portnoff, Jacob S. and Akbar, Heena (2023). The political and legal determinants of CALD communities: an unhealthy (modern) healthcare paradigm. Baltic Journal of Law and Politics, 16 (3), 1046-1055. doi: 10.2478/bjlp-2023-0000083
-
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle, Aunty Wynn Te Kani of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou decent, Anderson, Debra and Windsor, Carol (2023). Towards collective community education: Pasifika diabetes health forums in Southeast Queensland, Australia. AlterNative. doi: 10.1177/11771801231196777
-
Akbar, Heena, Radclyffe, Charles J. T., Santos, Daphne, Mopio-Jane, Maureen and Gallegos, Danielle (2022). “Food Is Our Love Language”: Using talanoa to conceptualize food security for the Māori and Pasifika diaspora in South-East Queensland, Australia. Nutrients, 14 (10) 2020, 2020. doi: 10.3390/nu14102020
-
Akbar, Heena, Windsor, Carol, Gallegos, Danielle, Manu-Sione, Inez and Anderson, Debra (2022). Using Talanoa in community-based participatory research with Australian Pacific Islander women with type 2 diabetes. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 16 (1), 119-128. doi: 10.1353/cpr.2022.0011
-
Akbar, Heena, Gallegos, Danielle, Anderson, Debra and Windsor, Carol (2021). Deconstructing type 2 diabetes self-management of Australian Pacific Islander women: Using a community participatory research and talanoa approach. Health and Social Care in the Community, 30 (5), 1988-1999. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13580
-
Predicting intentions and behaviours in populations with or at-risk of diabetes: A systematic review
Akbar, Heena, Anderson, Debra and Gallegos, Danielle (2015). Predicting intentions and behaviours in populations with or at-risk of diabetes: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2, 270-282. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.04.006
-
Identifying competencies for Australian health professionals working in international health
Akbar, H., Hill, P. S., Rotem, A., Riley, I. D., Zwi, A. B., Marks, G. C. and Mark, T. (2005). Identifying competencies for Australian health professionals working in international health. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health., 17 (2), 99-103. doi: 10.1177/101053950501700207
Conference Publication
-
Gender lens and Talanoa Indigenous perspective in diabetes research with Pacific women.
Akbar, Heena (2022). Gender lens and Talanoa Indigenous perspective in diabetes research with Pacific women.. IDF World Diabetes Congress , Lisbon, Portugal , 5 - 8 December 2022. Lisbon, Portugal : IDF.
-
Dewes, Ofa, Bay, Jacquie and Akbar, Heena (2022). Keynote Address & Talanoa Panel: Pacific health and wellbeing: Life course and trans-generational perspectives. Development of Health and Disease (DoHAD) , Adelaide, SA Australia, 10 -11 November 2022. Adelaide, SA Australia: DoHAD .
-
Akbar, Heena (2022). Socio-cultural and lifestyle factors influencing health of Māori and Pasifika women: findings from Pasifika diabetes health forums. QLD Women's Health Forum , Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 12 - 13 September 2022. Women's Health Research Translational Research (WHRTN) .
-
"Feeding Our Manaâ": Exploring food insecurity with Maori and Pasifika communities
Akbar, Heena and Gallegos, Danielle (2022). "Feeding Our Manaâ": Exploring food insecurity with Maori and Pasifika communities. Dieticians Australia 2022 Conference , Adelaide, SA Australia, 14 – 16 August 2022. Adelaide, SA Australia:
-
Akbar, Heena, Chow, Iree, Nuimata, Winnie, Te Kani, Wynn , Langan, Violet and Gallegos, Danielle (2021). Development of a Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program: from the perspective of Māori and Pasifika women living in Queensland. Queensland Women’s Heath Forum, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 27-28 May, 2021. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) WHRTN.
-
Feeding our Mana: food security for Pasifika communities
Gallegos, Danielle and Akbar, Heena (2021). Feeding our Mana: food security for Pasifika communities. Queensland Women’s Heath Forum, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27-28 May 2021. Brisbane, QLD Australia: AHRA Women’s Health Research Translation Network.
-
Sustaining research students’ support
Baguley, Graeme, Akbar, Heena, Wang, Christine, Baek, Youngnam and Song, Jun Seok (2020). Sustaining research students’ support. ISANA ONAIR: 2020 Online Conference – Turning challenges into opportunities, Virtual, 3-4 and 8-9 December 2020. Hobart, TAS Australia: ISANA: International Education Association.
-
Taufatofua, N., Cottrell, N., Akbar, H. and La Caze, A. (2020). Exploring type 2 diabetes and medication adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander population: participant interviews. ASCEPT- APSA Joint Virtual Scientific Meeting 2020, Virtual, 24-26 November 2020. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA).
-
Natasha Taufatofua , Heena Akbar , Neil Cottrell and Adam La Caze (2020). Supporting medication adherence in the Maori and Pacific Islander community with type 2 diabetes in Australia. ASCEPT-APSA 2020 Joint Virtual Scientific Meeting: Oral Abstracts, Virtual, 24 -26 November 2020. Hamilton, QLD, Australia: ASCEPT Virtual .
-
Akbar, H. (2019). Socio-cultural factors influencing self-management of Australian Pacific Islander women with type 2 diabetes. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Congress 2019, Busan, South Korea, 2nd December-6th December 2019. South Korea: IDF.
-
Predictors of self-care for Australian Pacific women with type 2 diabetes
Akbar, H. (2019). Predictors of self-care for Australian Pacific women with type 2 diabetes. The 16th International Diabetes Epidemiology Symposium, Seoul, South Korea , 28th November-2nd December 2019. South Korea: IDEG.
-
Akbar, H. (2019). Using Talanoa to explore diabetes self-management of Australian Pacific Islander women with type 2 diabetes. Public Health Prevention Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 12-14th June 2019. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre: Public Health Association Australia.
Other Outputs
-
Akbar, Heena G. (2018). Socio-cultural context of managing type 2 diabetes in Australian Pacific Islander women living in Queensland. PhD Thesis, School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology. doi: 10.5204/thesis.eprints.119162
-
Flexible Options for International Health in Australia
Riley, I. D., Rotem, A., Zwi, A., Marks, G., Hill, P. S., Mark, T. and Akbar, H. (2003). Flexible Options for International Health in Australia. Canberra, ACT Australia: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
-
(2022–2024) NHMRC MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
-
Supporting Type 2 Diabetes Management and Medication Adherence in the M¿ori and Pacific Islander Community in Queensland
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Towards Social Justice for the Hijra Community
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Exploring teaching practices as a pathways to promoting engagement with food security and climate action.
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
