Dr Stephen Bell
Adjunct Associate Professor

Dr Stephen Bell

Arts,Design & Architecture
Centre for Social Research in Health

Steve Bell is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney. With interdisciplinary training in human geography, anthropology, development studies and public health, he has over 21 years’ experience of community-based qualitative, participatory and ethnographic research, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of marginalised peoples, health inequity and injustice, and the socio-structural determinants of health. Based in academic, research consultancy and non-governmental organisations, he has undertaken research, evaluation and strategy work in countries in South-East Asia (India, Nepal), Western Pacific (Australia, Indonesia, PNG, Fiji), Africa (Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and Europe (UK, France).

Steve works in partnership with communities, community organisations and government institutions to build understandings of people’s everyday experiences of health and wellbeing, societal structures that produce health inequalities, and community action that effects change. He specialises in the use of community-based methods and interpretive approaches to access and amplify excluded voices, knowledges and experiences, and is committed to prioritising community expertise and leadership to strengthen health programs, services, polices and outcomes. He has published two edited collections in these areas: ‘Peer research in health and social development: international perspectives on participatory research’ (2021), and ‘Monitoring and evaluation in health and social development: interpretive and ethnographic perspectives’ (2016). He is Joint Editor, Sexual Health journal and Member of the International Editorial Advisory Board for Culture, Health & Sexuality. He is not currently taking on new PhD students.

  • Book Chapters | 2023
    Aeno H; Mitchell E; Ase S; Trumb RN; Selon Ofi P; Hanku AK; Bell S, 2023, 'Socio-structural influences on young men’s experiences of sex, pregnancy and pregnancy prevention in Papua New Guinea', in Sex and Gender in the Pacific: Contemporary Perspectives on Sexuality, Gender and Health, Routledge, pp. 109 - 122, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003142072-11
  • Edited Books | 2021
    Bell S; Aggleton P; Gibson A, (eds.), 2021, Peer Research in Health and Social Development: International Perspectives on Participatory Research, Routledge
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Jops P; Cowan J; Kupul M; Trumb RN; Graham SM; Bauri M; Nindil H; Bell S; Keam T; Majumdar S; Pomat W; Marais B; Marks GB; Kaldor J; Vallely A; Kelly-Hanku A, 2023, 'Beyond patient delay, navigating structural health system barriers to timely care and treatment in a high burden TB setting in Papua New Guinea', Global public health, vol. 18, pp. 2184482, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2023.2184482
    Journal articles | 2022
    Graham S; Blaxland M; Bolt R; Beadman M; Gardner K; Martin K; Doyle M; Beetson K; Murphy D; Bell S; Newman CE; Bryant J, 2022, 'Aboriginal peoples' perspectives about COVID-19 vaccines and motivations to seek vaccination: a qualitative study', BMJ Global Health, vol. 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008815
    Journal articles | 2022
    Jops P; Kupul M; Trumb RN; Cowan J; Graham SM; Bell S; Majumdar S; Nindil H; Pomat W; Marais B; Marks G; Vallely AJ; Kaldor J; Kelly-Hanku A, 2022, 'Exploring Tuberculosis Riskscapes in a Papua New Guinean ‘Hotspot’', Qualitative Health Research, vol. 32, pp. 1747 - 1762, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10497323221111912
    Journal articles | 2022
    Mitchell E; Kelly-Hanku A; Krentel A; Romani L; Robinson LJ; Nery SV; Kaldor J; Steer AC; Bell S, 2022, 'Community perceptions and acceptability of mass drug administration for the control of neglected tropical diseases in Asia-Pacific countries: A systematic scoping review of qualitative research', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, vol. 16, pp. e0010215, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010215
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nakiganda LJ; Bavinton BR; Grulich AE; Serwadda D; Nakubulwa R; Poynten IM; Bell S, 2022, 'Social Influences on Engagement With HIV Testing, Treatment and Care Services Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Living in Rural Uganda', Qualitative Health Research, vol. 32, pp. 635 - 645, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10497323211058162
    Journal articles | 2021
    Bell S; Aggleton P; Lockyer A; Ferguson T; Murray W; Silver B; Kaldor J; Maher L; Ward J, 2021, 'Working with Aboriginal young people in sexual health research: a peer research methodology in remote Australia', Qualitative Health Research, vol. 31, pp. 16 - 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732320961348
    Journal articles | 2021
    Bell S; Newman C; Yang L, 2021, 'Meet the editors', Sexual Health, vol. 18, pp. I - II, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SHv18n2_MeetED
    Journal articles | 2021
    Bryant J; Bolt R; Botfield JR; Martin K; Doyle M; Murphy D; Graham S; Newman CE; Bell S; Treloar C; Browne AJ; Aggleton P, 2021, 'Beyond deficit: ‘strengths-based approaches’ in Indigenous health research', Sociology of Health and Illness, vol. 43, pp. 1405 - 1421, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13311
    Journal articles | 2021
    Nakiganda LJ; Bell S; Grulich AE; Serwadda D; Nakubulwa R; Poynten IM; Bavinton BR, 2021, 'Understanding and managing HIV infection risk among men who have sex with men in rural Uganda: a qualitative study', BMC public health, vol. 21, pp. 1309, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11365-9
    Journal articles | 2021
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Mitchell E; Nake Trumb R; Worth H; Bell S, 2021, 'Making Sense of Serodiscordance: Pathways and Aftermaths of HIV Testing among Couples with Mixed HIV Status in Papua New Guinea', Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, vol. 22, pp. 298 - 314, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14442213.2021.1942184
    Journal articles | 2021
    Whitford K; Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Tasya IA; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor JM; Bell S, 2021, 'Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia', Sexual Health, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH20085
    Journal articles | 2021
    Whitford K; Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Tasya IA; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor JM; Bell S, 2021, 'Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia', Sexual health, vol. 18, pp. 122, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH20085_CO
    Journal articles | 2020
    Bell SL; Tabe T; Bell S, 2020, 'Seeking a disability lens within climate change migration discourses, policies and practices', Disability and Society, vol. 35, pp. 682 - 687, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2019.1655856
    Journal articles | 2020
    Lazuardi E; Newman CE; Anintya I; Rowe E; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Kusmayanti NA; Iskandar S; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2020, 'Increasing HIV treatment access, uptake and use among men who have sex with men in urban Indonesia: Evidence from a qualitative study in three cities', Health Policy and Planning, vol. 35, pp. 16 - 25, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czz128
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Bell S, 2020, 'Premarital relationships and condom use among young people in Suva, Fiji', Sexual Health, vol. 17, pp. 337 - 343, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH20040
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Bell S; Thean LJ; Sahukhan A; Kama M; Koroivueti A; Kaldor J; Steer A; Romani L, 2020, 'Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: A qualitative study', PLoS neglected tropical diseases, vol. 14, pp. e0008825, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008825
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Anintya I; Rowe E; Whitford K; Wirawan D; Wisaksana R; Subronto Y; Prameswari H; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2020, 'A Qualitative Exploration of Family, Work, Community, and Health Service Influences on HIV Treatment Uptake and Adherence Among Female Sex Workers in Three Cities in Indonesia', AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 32, pp. 243 - 259, http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2020.32.3.243
    Journal articles | 2020
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Mitchell E; Nake Trumb R; Worth H; Bell S, 2020, 'Polygyny, Serodiscordance and HIV Prevention in Papua New Guinea: A Qualitative Exploration of Diverse Configurations', Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, vol. 21, pp. 248 - 263, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14442213.2020.1758202
    Journal articles | 2020
    Tumwine C; Aggleton P; Bell S, 2020, 'Enhancing hiv prevention: Social support, access to, and use of HIV testing, treatment, and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria, Uganda', AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 32, pp. 196 - 211, http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2020.32.3.196
    Journal articles | 2020
    Whitford K; Callander D; Smith LW; Guy R; Kong M; Ward J; Donovan B; McManus H; Bell S; McGregor S; Menon A; Russell D; O'Connor CC, 2020, 'Two Distinct Gonorrhea Trends and Risk Factors among Women in Australia', Sexually Transmitted Diseases, vol. 47, pp. 34 - 40, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001086
    Journal articles | 2019
    Gunaratnam P; Schierhout G; Brands J; Maher L; Bailie R; Ward J; Guy R; Rumbold A; Ryder N; Fairley CK; Donovan B; Moore L; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2019, 'Qualitative perspectives on the sustainability of sexual health continuous quality improvement in clinics serving remote Aboriginal communities in Australia', BMJ Open, vol. 9, pp. e026679, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026679
    Journal articles | 2019
    Kelly-Hanku A; Bell S; Ase S; Boli-Neo R; Vallely AJ; Badman SG; Nightingale CE; Wapling J, 2019, 'Developing a culturally appropriate illustrated tool for the self-collection of anorectal specimens for the testing of sexually transmitted infections: Lessons from Papua New Guinea', BMC Public Health, vol. 19, pp. 214, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6506-x
    Journal articles | 2019
    Lazuardi E; Newman CE; Tasya IA; Rowe E; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Kaldor J; Kusmayanti NA; Iskandar S; Bell S, 2019, 'Understanding the social influences on engaging key populations with HIV prevention: A qualitative study with men who have sex with men in three Indonesian cities', AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 31, pp. 206 - 223, http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2019.31.3.206
    Journal articles | 2019
    MacGibbon J; Minichiello V; Prestage G; Bell S; Cox C; Donovan B; Callander D, 2019, 'How Male Sex Workers and Their Clients Shifted from Reluctance About HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis to Advocating for Its Use: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study', AIDS and Behavior, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02618-1
    Journal articles | 2019
    Mitchell E; Kelly-Hanku A; Mek A; Nake Trumb R; Persson A; Worth H; Bell SA, 2019, 'Caring Masculinities in the Context of HIV Serodiscordant Relationships in Papua New Guinea', Men and Masculinities, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1097184X19889659
    Journal articles | 2019
    Mitchell E; Lazuardi E; Rowe E; Anintya I; Wirawan DN; Wisaksana R; Subronto YW; Prameswari HD; Kaldor J; Bell S, 2019, 'Barriers and Enablers to HIV Care Among Waria (Transgender Women) in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study', AIDS Education and Prevention: an interdisciplinary journal, vol. 31, pp. 538 - 552, https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/pdf/10.1521/aeap.2019.31.6.538
    Journal articles | 2019
    Persson A; Kelly-Hanku A; Bell S; Mek A; Worth H; Nake Trumb R, 2019, '“Vibrant Entanglements”: HIV Biomedicine and Serodiscordant Couples in Papua New Guinea', Medical Anthropology: Cross Cultural Studies in Health and Illness, vol. 38, pp. 267 - 281, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01459740.2018.1530670
    Journal articles | 2019
    Tumwine C; Aggleton P; Bell S, 2019, 'Accessing HIV treatment and care services in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda: mobility and transport challenges.', African Journal of AIDS Research, vol. 18, pp. 205 - 214, http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2019.1648306
    Journal articles | 2018
    Bell S; Aggleton P; Slavin S, 2018, 'Negotiating trust and struggling for control: everyday narratives of unwanted disclosure of HIV status among people with HIV in Australia', Health Sociology Review, vol. 27, pp. 1 - 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14461242.2016.1271282
    Journal articles | 2018
    Bell S; Kennedy E; Black K; Vallely A; Vallely L; Mola G; Kaldor J; Bagita M; Ninnes C; Pomat W; Kelly A, 2018, 'Youth-centred research to help prevent and mitigate the adverse health and social impacts of pregnancy amongst young Papua New Guineans', Reproductive Health Matters, vol. 26, pp. 5 - 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09688080.2018.1512297
    Journal articles | 2018
    Bell S; Wapling J; Ase S; Boli-Neo R; Vallely AJ; Kaldor JM; Nightingale CE; Kelly-Hanku A, 2018, 'Acceptability of testing for anorectal sexually transmitted infections and self-collected anal swabs in female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender women in Papua New Guinea', BMC Public Health, vol. 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5684-2
    Journal articles | 2018
    Hengel B; Bell S; Garton L; Ward J; Rumbold A; Taylor-Thomson D; Silver B; McGregor S; Dyda A; Knox J; Guy R; Maher L; Kaldor JM; McDermott R; Skov S; Boffa J; Chee DA; Law M; Fairley C; Donovan B; Glance D, 2018, 'Perspectives of primary health care staff on the implementation of a sexual health quality improvement program: A qualitative study in remote aboriginal communities in Australia', BMC Health Services Research, vol. 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3024-y
    Journal articles | 2018
    Lazuardi E; Bell S; Newman CE, 2018, 'A ‘scoping review’ of qualitative literature about engagement with HIV care in Indonesia', Sexual Health, vol. 15, pp. 283 - 291, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH17163
    Journal articles | 2018
    Mek A; Kelly A; Bell S; Wilson L; Vallely A, 2018, '‘I Was Attracted to Him Because of His Money’: Changing Forms of Polygyny in Contemporary Papua New Guinea', The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, vol. 19, pp. 120 - 137, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14442213.2018.1440626
    Journal articles | 2017
    Bell S; Aggleton P; Ward J; Maher L, 2017, 'Sexual agency, risk and vulnerability: a scoping review of young Indigenous Australians’ sexual health', Journal of Youth Studies, vol. 20, pp. 1208 - 1224, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2017.1317088
    Journal articles | 2016
    Bell S; Casabona J; Tsereteli N; Raben D; De Wit J, 2016, 'HIV post-test practices: An online survey examining perceived delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in healthcare settings across the WHO European Region', Sexual Health, vol. 13, pp. 205 - 212, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH15186
    Journal articles | 2015
    Bell SA; Delpech V; Casabona J; Tsereteli N; de Wit J, 2015, 'Delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral in health care settings: a review of guidance for European countries', HIV Med, vol. 16, pp. n/a - n/a, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hiv.12278
    Journal articles | 2014
    Aggleton PJ; Bell S; Kelly A, 2014, ''Mobile men with money': HIV prevention and the erasure of difference', Global Public Health, vol. 9, pp. 257 - 270, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2014.889736
    Journal articles | 2014
    Bell SA; Aggleton P, 2014, 'Economic vulnerability and young people's sexual relationships in rural Uganda', Journal of Youth Studies, vol. 17, pp. 814 - 828, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2013.878797
    Journal articles | 2013
    Bell SA; Aggleton P, 2013, 'Social influences on young people's sexual health in Uganda', Health Education, vol. 113, pp. 102 - 114, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09654281311298795
    Journal articles | 2012
    Bell SA, 2012, 'Young people and sexual agency in rural Uganda', Culture, Health and Sexuality, vol. 14, pp. 283 - 296, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2011.635808
    Journal articles | 2012
    Bell SA; Aggleton P, 2012, 'Integrating ethnographic principles in NGO monitoring and impact evaluation', Journal of International Development, vol. 24, pp. 795 - 807, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jid.2868
    Journal articles | 2012
    Bell SA; Aggleton P, 2012, 'Time to invest in a 'counterpublic heath' approach: promoting sexual health among sexually active young people in rural Uganda', Children`s Geographies, vol. 10, pp. 385 - 397, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2012.726066
    Journal articles | 2009
    Bell SA; Payne R, 2009, 'Young people as agents in development processes: reconsidering perspectives for development geography', Third World Quarterly: Journal of Emerging Areas, vol. 30, pp. 1027 - 1044, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01436590902959297
  • Reports | 2021
    Blaxland M; Bryant J; Gardner K; Beadman M; Bolt R; Doyle M; Graham S; Newman C; Murphy D; Bell S; Beetson K; Wilms J, 2021, Rapid qualitative assessment of COVID-19 health needs in urban Sydney Aboriginal communities: report 2, UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/rgbz-5575
    Reports | 2020
    Blaxland M; Bryant J; Gardner K; Beadman M; Bolt R; Doyle M; Graham S; Newman C; Murphy D; Bell S; Beetson K; Wilms J; Penning K, 2020, Rapid qualitative assessment of COVID-19 health needs in urban Sydney Aboriginal communities: report 1, UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/d53r-e060
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    Bell S; Aggleton P; Ward J; Murray W; Silver B; Christopher F; Whiley D; Ryder N; Donovan B; Guy R; Kaldor J; Maher L, 2019, 'Young Aboriginal people’s engagement with STI testing in the Northern Territory, Australia', presented at Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV&AIDS Conferences, Perth, 16 September 2019
    Conference Posters | 2019
    Bell S; Ward J; Aggleton P; Murray W; Silver B; Christopher F; Whiley D; Ryder N; Donovan B; Guy R; Kaldor J; Maher L, 2019, 'Young Aboriginal people’s sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia', Perth, presented at Joint Australasian Sexual Health and HIV&AIDS Conferences, Perth, 16 September 2019
    Conference Posters | 2019
    Bryant J; Bell S; Bolt R; Graham S; Doyle M; Newman CE; Murphy D; Treloar C; Browne A; Aggleton P; Botfield J; Hardy R; Brown E; Kougelos V; Stanbury L; Brooks M; Beetson K, 2019, 'What we do well – Stories of love, sex and relationship: a project looking at Aboriginal young people’s strengths and resources for building sexual well-being', Darwin, presented at LOWITJA HEALTH AND WELL-BEING CONFERENCE, Darwin, 18 June 2019 - 19 June 2019
    Conference Abstracts | 2019
    Callander D; Bell S; Minichiello V; Deveau R; Prestage G; Donovan B, 2019, '"YOU NEED A CASH BUFFER": MALE SEX WORK AND CONDOM USE IN THE ERA OF HIV PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS', in SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS, BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, Vol. 95, pp. A309 - A310, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.776
    Conference Posters | 2018
    Bryant J; Bell S; Bolt R; Graham S; Doyle M; Newman CE; Murphy D; Treloar C; Browne A; Aggleton P; Botfield J; Hardy R; Brown E; Kougelos V; Stanbury L; Brooks M; Beetson K, 2018, 'Fostering the sexual well-being of Aboriginal young people by building on social, cultural and personal strengths and resources', Auckland, presented at IUSTI AP SEXUAL HEALTH CONGRESS 2018, Auckland, 01 November 2018 - 03 November 2018