Rate Professor Rebecca Bentley

Professional Summary: Professor Rebecca Bentley

Professor Rebecca Bentley is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on social epidemiology and public health. Her work primarily explores the intersection of housing, socioeconomic factors, and health outcomes, contributing significantly to policy-relevant research in population health.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Bentley holds advanced degrees in public health and epidemiology. While specific details of her undergraduate education are not widely documented in public sources, she earned her doctoral degree in a related field, equipping her with a strong foundation for her research career at the University of Melbourne.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research specializes in social determinants of health, with a particular emphasis on housing affordability, precarious employment, and their impact on mental and physical health. Professor Bentley’s work often employs quantitative methods to analyze longitudinal data, contributing to evidence-based public health policies in Australia and beyond.

Career History and Appointments

• Professor, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne (Current Position)
• Director, Centre for Health Equity, University of Melbourne (Current Role)
• Previous roles include research and academic positions focused on social epidemiology within the University of Melbourne.

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

• Recipient of multiple research grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and other funding bodies for projects on housing and health equity.
• Recognized as a leading researcher in social epidemiology through her contributions to policy-informing studies, though specific individual awards are not widely documented in public sources.

Key Publications

Professor Bentley has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and reports. Below is a selection of her notable works based on publicly available information:

• Bentley, R., Baker, E., & Mason, K. (2012). 'Cumulative exposure to poor housing affordability and its association with mental health in men and women.' Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
• Bentley, R., Pevalin, D., Baker, E., et al. (2016). 'Housing affordability, tenure and mental health in Australia and the United Kingdom: a comparative panel analysis.' Housing Studies.
• Bentley, R., Kavanagh, A. M., et al. (2019). 'A longitudinal analysis of housing stress and health outcomes in Australia.' American Journal of Public Health.

These publications reflect her focus on housing as a determinant of health, often utilizing large-scale datasets to draw impactful conclusions.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Bentley’s research has had a profound impact on the field of social epidemiology, particularly in understanding how housing stress and socioeconomic disadvantage affect health outcomes. Her work has informed public health policies in Australia, providing evidence for interventions aimed at reducing health inequities. She is frequently cited in discussions on housing policy and population health, establishing her as a key voice in her discipline.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

• Regular presenter at national and international conferences on public health and social determinants of health.
• Contributor to policy briefs and reports for governmental and non-governmental organizations on housing and health equity.
• Serves on editorial boards and as a peer reviewer for leading journals in epidemiology and public health (specific roles not publicly detailed).