Julie Leask

Professor Julie Leask AO is a social scientist and professor in the Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, at the University of Sydney. She earned a Diploma in Health Science (Nursing) from the University of Technology Sydney in 1990, a Certificate of Midwifery Theory and Practice from the Northern Sydney Area Midwifery School in 1992, a Master of Public Health in 1998, and a PhD in 2003 from the University of Sydney, with her thesis titled 'Understanding Immunisation Controversies.' Her career trajectory includes establishing the Social Science Unit at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) in 2002, where she worked until 2014, followed by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship at the University of Sydney School of Public Health starting in 2012. In 2017, she joined the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, becoming Professor in 2018, while maintaining a Visiting Professorial Fellow role at NCIRS. She co-leads the Social and Behavioural Insights in Immunisation research group at the University of Sydney and has held international advisory positions with the World Health Organization, including chairing the Measuring Behavioural and Social Drivers of Vaccination working group from 2018 to 2022.

Leask's research centers on the social and behavioural drivers of vaccination, encompassing vaccine hesitancy, uptake, communication, policy, and programme strengthening. Notable projects include the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) package, rolled out nationally in Australia via NCIRS to enhance parent-health worker conversations, and development of WHO tools for assessing Behavioural and Social Drivers of Vaccination (BeSD), applied across multiple countries. Her highly cited publications feature 'Increasing vaccination: putting psychological science into action' (2017, 1411 citations), 'Communicating with parents about vaccination: a framework for health professionals' (2012, 892 citations), 'Toward effective government communication strategies in the era of COVID-19' (2021, 723 citations), and 'Opportunities and challenges of Web 2.0 for vaccination decisions' (2012, 536 citations). She has influenced global vaccination efforts through advisory roles with WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and others, particularly in health emergency communication. Key honors include appointment as Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2024 for distinguished service to health and medical research in immunisation, the overall Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence award in 2019, Sax Institute inaugural Research Action Award in 2015, Public Health Impact Award from PHAA NSW in 2015, and multiple University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor's Awards for research engagement, supervision, and community contribution.

Professional Email: julie.leask@sydney.edu.au