In Conversation with Dr Tim Broady: Masterminding Research to Tackle Stigma in Healthcare

Dr Tim Broady, Senior Research Fellow at the UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health (CSRH), has spent his career addressing stigma and driving change in healthcare services. As a lead convenor of the short course Combating Stigma: Strategies for Inclusive Health Services, Tim is now sharing his expertise to empower others to create more inclusive practices.

We sat down with Tim to talk about the challenges and insights shaping his work, and his surprising stint as a contestant on Australian game shows.

Kicking off a little differently, your game show experience! You've been a contestant on Pointless, Celebrity Name Game and Mastermind.

What was that like?

They were all a lot of fun in different ways. It was a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself in a way I don’t usually get to. On Pointless and Celebrity Name Game, I got to participate with a friend, so those were fun days of hanging out and pushing myself to think on my feet. Mastermind, however, was a different experience. Although it required more preparation, I was able to indulge in my passion for 1990s Australian Test cricket!

Watching the episodes back with my family, especially my kids, was really special. They were so excited to see me on the TV screen and that’s something I’ll never forget!

Do you think your research background helped you on those game shows?

I guess that logical, strategic thinking—something I use regularly in my work—did come in handy. It helped me to approach the questions with a bit more structure and reasoning. I could at least attempt a sensible answer rather than just giving up!

What first drew you to the fields of psychological and social research?

I studied psychology as an undergrad without a clear career path in mind. Psychology is broad—cognitive science, visual processing, clinical work—but I was most interested in social and developmental psychology, where people’s experiences don’t fit neatly into categories. I found that side of psychology more applicable to real-world issues. Rather than looking at individuals, I wanted to understand society and communities.

Your work focusses a lot on stigma in healthcare.

Was there a personal or professional experience that made you realise how important this issue is?

Not one single experience, but really a mix of professional and volunteer work over the years. It’s made me realise how the world isn’t set up to suit everyone. For some people, life just fits into the status quo, but for others, it’s a constant uphill battle. That’s why raising awareness and addressing stigma has become so important to me. I’ve worked with domestic violence survivors, family carers, people with disabilities, and in areas like mental health and ageing. I’ve also volunteered running camps for kids with disabilities.

So, life-changing in many ways then?

Absolutely! Volunteering on those camps ended up changing the course of my life in more ways than one – it’s where I met my wife. We volunteered together for a week each year for about four years before I finally convinced her we were meant to be. This year, we’ll be celebrating 16 years of marriage.

Pivoting back, when people think of stigma, they might picture extreme cases of discrimination, but it can be much more subtle.

What are some of the ways stigma plays out in healthcare that people might not even notice?

Sometimes it’s a glance, a tone of voice, or the wording on a form. Someone might not even realise they’re doing it, but for someone who’s constantly judged, even the smallest cues can reinforce that feeling of exclusion. The thing to remember is that stigma isn’t always deliberate; it’s often ingrained in systems and everyday interactions that people don’t even think twice about.

In your research, have there been any findings that really surprised you or challenged your own assumptions?

Yes! I expected people to downplay their biases in surveys. But I’m often shocked at how openly some admit they’d treat other people negatively. Not just disagreeing with someone’s lifestyle but actively stating they’d behave in a discriminatory way. We ask relatively straightforward questions, like “Would you behave negatively towards others because of XYZ?” and it's surprising how many people respond with, “Oh yeah, I totally would.” It’s alarming but also important data. It shows us where work needs to be done.

Have you seen your research make a direct impact on policies or practices?

Definitely. Stigma has been explicitly mentioned in state and national health strategies for a long time, but there are now specific targets around reducing stigma. Health departments are actively looking at ways to reduce stigma in healthcare. Some of our research has informed training programs and professional development for healthcare workers. There’s a long way to go, but there’s growing recognition of the issue.

What’s one practical thing healthcare workers can do to make their service more inclusive?

Acknowledge that you don’t know someone’s full story. Stigma can often come from assumptions being made about a person’s background, so being mindful that patients might have a history of feeling judged or treated badly is crucial. A small shift in mindset can make a huge difference.

How can the average, everyday person help reduce stigma in their own community? Where do they start?

Be aware of it and call it out when you see it but in a way that’s going to be helpful. Stigma often hides behind ‘this is just the way things are.’ When you start to notice it, you can start questioning those norms and advocating for change. It doesn’t have to be huge. Small actions build momentum.

What advice do you have for those looking to pursue a career in social health research?

Take opportunities as they come. You may not land in your ideal field right away, but every experience adds value. Social health research is broad, and skills transfer across different areas. Sometimes, a detour leads you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Why is your short course on combating stigma and creating inclusive health services so important right now, and what can participants expect to take away from it?

The timing is perfect because there’s a growing recognition of the need to address stigma in healthcare. There’s a real focus in this course on actionable outcomes, offering knowledge and tools based on proven interventions that participants can immediately apply to make changes in their practice.

For me, I think one of the most valuable aspects of the course is the opportunity for real conversations within the cohort. It provides a safe and supportive environment for people to share their experiences and learn from others, including lived experience perspectives. Hearing what it’s like to experience stigma and what it’s been like to address it as a healthcare practitioner will help to build understanding and connection. Stigma can be very isolating, so this course is about creating a collective —a shared sense of purpose—because I genuinely believe there’s power in working together to make change happen. 

Finally, if you could go on another game show, which one would it be and why?

The 1% Club! I’ve applied multiple times. I love the format. Plus, I’d love to trade banter with Jim Jefferies. Hopefully, I’ll get my chance!

Learn more about Dr Timothy Broady’s research, projects and achievements by visiting his Researcher Profile.

Learn more about the Combating Stigma: Strategies for Inclusive Health Services short course.

Learn more about the UNSW Centre of Social Research in Health.