Rate My Professor Billie Bonevski

Professor Billie Bonevski is an Honorary Professor in the School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle. She earned her PhD in Medicine from the University of Newcastle in 1993 on a three-year scholarship and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours, 1st Class, Psychology) in 1991, receiving the WH Ward Prize for Best Applied Thesis. Her career at the University of Newcastle began as a Research Academic in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology in 2007, advancing to Senior Research Academic in 2008, Associate Professor in 2014, and Professor in the Faculty of Health and Medicine in 2016. She held key fellowships including the NHMRC Career Development Fellowship Level 2 (2014-2018), Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship (2011-2014), and Gladys M Brawn Career Development Research Fellowship (2013-2018). Bonevski served as the Inaugural Women in STEMM Chair (2019-2021), Founding Chair of the Faculty of Health and Medicine Gender Equity Committee (2015-2018), and Founding President of the SRNT Oceania Chapter (2017-2020). She contributed to leadership roles such as member of the Hunter Medical Research Institute Research Council (2015-present) and School of Medicine and Public Health representative on the Faculty Board (2017-2020).

A health behaviour scientist, Bonevski's research focuses on smoking cessation, tobacco control, and interventions for multiple health risk behaviours among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups including those with homelessness, mental health issues, in alcohol and drug treatment, and carers of neurological patients. She has published 198 peer-reviewed papers, 71% in SJR Q1 journals, with citations from 159 institutions in 94 countries. Key publications include 'Nicotine e-cigarettes for smoking cessation following discharge from smoke-free inpatient alcohol and other drug withdrawal services' (Lancet Public Health, 2025) and work influencing CDC recommendations for online smoking cessation programs. Her research has secured approximately $30 million in funding, including as Chief Investigator on 19 NHMRC grants, leading to implementations like the Tackling Tobacco Program in over 200 community services reaching more than 28,000 clients. Awards include the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand President's Prize (2016), APSAD Mentor Award (2018), Hunter Children’s Research Foundation Research Excellence Award (2016), and Research Impact Award (2019).