Associate Professor Brett Biles

Associate Professor Brett Biles

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

PhD, Charles Sturt University

Master of Indigenous Health (with distinction), University of Wollongong

BAppSc (Physiotherapy), University of Sydney

Division of VC & President
DVC Indigenous

Associate Professor Brett Biles is a Murrawarri man originally from Brewarrina. He has been living on Wiradjuri country for the last 20 years. Brett is the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research at UNSW. Brett has contributed to Indigenous health and wellbeing for the last 15 years. Prior to this role Brett was the inaugural Associate Dean Indigenous of the Faculty of Medicine and Health and a Senior Scientia Lecturer. Brett was also the inaugural Director of Indigenous Health Education in the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Brett holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Indigenous Health and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Brett’s research focuses on Aboriginal health and wellbeing. Brett is a Chief Investigator on multiple Australian Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund Aboriginal health and wellbeing related research projects.

  • Book Chapters | 2023
    Thorpe A; Yashadhana A; Biles B; Munro-Harrison E; Kingsley J, 2023, 'Indigenous Health and Connection to Country', in Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Global Public Health, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.013.436
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Yashadhana A; Raven M; Pollard-Wharton N; Biles B, 2022, 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Spatial and Place-Based Analysis', in Laituri M; Richardson RB; Kim J (ed.), Global Perspectives on Health Geography, Springer, Cham, pp. 181 - 194, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11775-6_15
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Byrnes A; Byrnes A, 2022, 'Older persons', in Binder C; Nowak M; Janig P (ed.), Elgar Encyclopedia of Human Rights, Edward Elgar Publishing, http://dx.doi.org/10.4337/9781789903621.older.persons
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Biles B, 2021, 'Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples', in Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Biles B; Charles J; Biles J, 2019, 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research champions: A snapshot', in Biles B; Biles J (ed.), Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Biles B; Gray S; Biles J, 2019, 'Exploration of history, culture, cultural bias, race and racism', in Biles B; Biles J (ed.), Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Biles B; Smith M; Hohol A; Wighton D, 2019, 'Indigenous Australian peoples cardiovascular health and wellness', in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Biles J; Biles B, 2019, 'Indigenous Australian cultural competence', in Biles B; Biles J (ed.), Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Biles J; Biles B, 2019, 'The Older Person', in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne
  • Edited Books | 2019
    Biles B; Biles J, (ed.), 2019, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Health & Wellbeing, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Biles B; Christian B; Marshall C; McMillan F; Sara G; Anderson J; Davies N; Fealy S; Biles J, 2024, '‘DANMM that’s good!’: evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the Deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Mentoring (DANMM) Programme across rural, regional and metropolitan NSW–a collaborative study protocol', BMJ Open, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079416
    Journal articles | 2023
    Anstice NS; Alam K; Armitage JA; Biles B; Black JM; Boon MY; Carlson T; Chinnery HR; Collins AV; Cochrane A; Duthie D; Hopkins S; Fitzpatrick G; Keay L; Watene R; Yashadhana A; Bentley SA, 2023, 'Developing culturally safe education practices in optometry schools across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 106, pp. 110 - 118, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2136514
    Journal articles | 2023
    Biles J; Deravin L; McMillan AM F; Anderson J; Sara G; Biles B, 2023, 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives culturally safe mentoring programmes in Australia: A scoping review', Contemporary Nurse, 59, pp. 173 - 183, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2023.2175700
    Journal articles | 2023
    Yashadhana A; Zwi AB; Brady B; De Leeuw E; Kingsley J; O'leary M; Raven M; Serova N; Topp SM; Fields T; Foster W; Jopson W; Biles B, 2023, 'Gaawaadhi Gadudha: understanding how cultural camps impact health, well-being and resilience among Aboriginal adults in New South Wales, Australia - a collaborative study protocol', BMJ Open, 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073551
    Journal articles | 2023
    Thorpe A; Yashadhana A; Biles B; Munro-Harrison E; Kingsley J, 2023, 'Indigenous Health and Connection to Country', Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Global Public Health, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.013.436
    Journal articles | 2022
    Biles B; Biles J; Friere K; Deravin L; Lawrence J; Yashadhana A, 2022, 'Appraising community driven health research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a scoping review using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool', Health promotion international, 37, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daac077
    Journal articles | 2022
    Macniven R; Stanley RM; Biles B; Dumuid D; Olds T; Okely AD; Chandler P; Evans J, 2022, 'Parent wellbeing, family screen time and socioeconomic status during early childhood predict physical activity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at ages 8–13', Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25, pp. 896 - 902, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2022.09.166
    Journal articles | 2021
    Biles J; Biles B; West R; Saunders V; Armaou J, 2021, 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Subjects in a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery: A pilot study', Contemporary Nurse, 57, pp. 317 - 326, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2021.1990095
    Journal articles | 2020
    Yashadhana A; Pollard-Wharton N; Zwi AB; Biles B, 2020, 'Indigenous Australians at increased risk of COVID-19 due to existing health and socioeconomic inequities', The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 1, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2020.100007
    Journal articles | 2015
    Biles J; Biles B; McMillan F, 2015, 'Interdisciplinary approach to clinical placements within Charles Sturt University School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health. A Practice Report', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE FIRST YEAR IN HIGHER EDUCATION, 6, pp. 155 - 161, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/intjfyhe.v6i1.221
    Journal articles | 2011
    Maree Biles J; James Biles B, 2011, 'Indigenous community participation: How does it relate to student centered learning and embrace primary health care philosophies?', Contemporary Nurse, 37, pp. 92 - 95, http://dx.doi.org/10.5172/conu.2011.37.1.092
    Journal articles | 2010
    Biles JM; Biles BJ, 2010, 'Indigenous community participation: how does it relate to student centered learning and embrace primary health care philosophies?', Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession, 37, pp. 92 - 95, http://dx.doi.org/10.5172/conu.2010.37.1.092
  • Reports | 2023
    MACNIVEN R; Tishler X; McKeon G; Bullen J; Biles B, 2023, Physical activity and the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations people, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, http://dx.doi.org/10.25816/2xbv-c961, https://www.indigenousmhspc.gov.au/publications/physical-activity
    Other | 2023
    Lee C (ed.), 2023, When physical activity programs include cultural elements, they are even better for First Nations people, The Conversation, , https://theconversation.com/when-physical-activity-programs-include-cultural-elements-they-are-even-better-for-first-nations-people-219108
    Reports | 2022
    Smith GC; Vo K; Nathan S; Carland JE; Uebel K; Hieu Dinh H; Shulruf B; Torda A; Kennedy S; O'Sullivan AJ; Palit V; Gallego Luxan B; Velan G; Biles B, 2022, Re-imagining medical student research education - University of New South Wales, Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand Inc., Volume 1, https://medicaldeans.org.au/md/2022/06/Research-in-the-Medical-Curriculum-Volume-1-A-window-on-innovation-and-good-practice-2022.pdf
    Conference Presentations | 2021
    Biles B; Charles J; Ihaka B, 2021, 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Maori Research Ethical Principles', presented at “Innovation through Collaboration”, Australian Podiatry Conference 2021, virtual online event, 03 July 2021 - 17 July 2021, https://podiatry.eventsair.com/cmspreview/apodconf21/program3
    Conference Presentations | 2021
    Biles B, 2021, '‘Strong Men’: Aboriginal community development of a cardiovascular exercise and health education program.', presented at “Innovation through Collaboration”, Australian Podiatry Conference 2021, Virtual Online Event, 03 July 2021 - 17 July 2021, https://podiatry.eventsair.com/cmspreview/apodconf21/program3
    Theses / Dissertations | 2020
    Biles B, 2020, ‘Strong Men’: Aboriginal community development of a cardiovascular exercise and health education program, Charles Sturt University
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    Robinson C; Biles B; Skinner K; Melinda L, 2019, 'More than good will: A review of governance and authentic engagement in embedding Indigenous cultural competence into allied health curricula', presented at LIME Connection 2019, Christchurch New Zealand, 05 November 2019 - 08 November 2019, https://www.limenetwork.net.au/conferences/lime-connection-viii/
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Robinson C; Chontel G; Barbara H; Biles B, 2017, 'Reflecting on our first steps: Indigenisation of the curriculum in occupational therapy and physiotherapy', presented at LIME Connection VII, Melbourne, 04 April 2017 - 07 April 2017, http://www.limenetwork.net.au/conferences/lime-connection-vii/
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Robinson C; Hill B; Biles B; Hamam N, 2017, 'Reflecting on our First Steps: Indigenisation of the Curriculum in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy', presented at CSUEd 2017: Quality Learning and Teaching: Transforming our teaching both on campus and online, Orange, Australia, 20 June 2017 - 22 June 2017, https://www.csu.edu.au/csued/about-csued2017%20(Conference%20website)
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Biles B; Hill B; Mlcek S, 2015, 'An institutional approach to incorporating Indigenous Australian content into Undergraduate Programs', presented at Indigenous Content in Education Symposium: Engaging Indigenous Knowledges, Pedagogies and Curriculum, Adelaide, Australia, 21 September 2015 - 22 September 2015, http://unisa.edu.au/ICES
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Gottschall K; Biles B; Ghys L; Locke K; Gray S; Quin A, 2015, 'Teaching and learning Indigenous Australian Studies online: 'The subject being held online was destructive to my learning'', presented at Indigenous Content in Education Symposium: Engaging Indigenous Knowledges, Pedagogies and Curriculum, Adelaide - Australia, 21 September 2015 - 22 September 2015, http://unisa.edu.au/ICES

2023 - Chief Investigator B, National Health & Medical Research Council Medical Research Future Fund ($2,902,798)

         Gaawaadhi Gadudha: A stepped-wedge cluster randomised implementation trial and evaluation of an Aboriginal cultural health and traditional healing program

2023 – Chief Investigator B, Western Sydney Local Health District – State Government ($28,324,14)

          Young, Strong and Deadly Project

2023 – Australian Institute of health and Welfare – Commonwealth Government ($31,772.10)    

          Indigenous physical activity and social and emotional wellbeing review

2021 – Chief Investigator C, National Health & Medical Research Council Medical Research Future Fund ($560,209)
Gaawaadhi Gadudha Understanding how cultural resilience impacts Aboriginal health and quality of life