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Associate Professor Karen Willis

PhD
Associate Dean Learning & Teaching

C43A - Jeffrey Miller Admin Building Cumberland Campus
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 9256

Biographical details

Karen is a health sociologist and qualitative researcher in health. Her research examines how social ideas and health policies shape people’s health behavior. Her PhD research focused on screening mammography, and she has undertaken research on a range of topics including why people take out private health insurance, why people participate in research on chronic disease self management, how integrative medical practitioners ‘weigh up the evidence’ in their decision making and, on a lighter note, what children and young people hope for in the future.
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Teaching and supervision

Associate Professor in Qualitative Health
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Selected grants

2013

  • How Australians navigate the healthcare maze: the differential capacity to choose; Willis K, Short S, Collyer F, Harley K, Calnan M; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).

2012

  • Staying healthy: Industry organisations' influence on behaviours and services used by fishers, Fishe; Willis K; Fisheries Research and Development Corporation /Project Support.

2010

  • How Consumers Negotiate Between Complementary and Conventional Health Systems - a Qualitative Study of 'Depression'; Willis K; NHMRC Project Grant/Research Grants.

2009

  • Staying Healthy: Behaviours and Services used by Farmers and Fishers; Willis K; Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation/Research Support.
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Selected publications

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Books

  • Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K., Peek, K., Johns, S. (2013). Staying Healthy: Behaviours and services used by farmers and fishers. Canberra: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
  • Willis, K., Elmer, S. (2011). (2nd edition) Society, Culture and Health: An Introduction to Sociology for Nurses. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Willis, K., Elmer, S. (2007). Society, Culture and Health: An introduction to sociology for nurses. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Willis, K., Craft, C., Vogt, M., West, M. (2007). Tree of Hope. Tasmania: Launceston City Council, University of Tasmania.

Book Chapters

  • Willis, K. (2012). Choice, Trust and Risk - The Policy Context and Mammography Screening. In Dr. Nachiko Uchiyama and Marcelo Zanchetta do Nascimento (Eds.), Mammography - Recent Advances, (pp. 3-24). Rijeka: InTech Publishers.
  • Willis, K., Johns, S., Kilpatrick, S., Peek, K. (2011). Staying Healthy: The Case of Cotton and Cane Growers in Australia. Health and Well-Being: A social and cultural perspective, (pp. 117-126). New York: Nova Science Publishers.
  • Willis, K. (2003). Challenging the Evidence - Women's Health Policy in Australia. In Vivian Lin, Brendan Gibson (Eds.), Evidence-Based Health Policy: Problems and Possibilities, (pp. 211-223). UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Willis, K. (2001). Who Will Benefit? The Case of Screening for Breast Cancer Using Mammography. In J. Daly, M. Guillemin, S. Hill (Eds.), Technologies and Health - Critical Compromises, (pp. 219-259). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.

Journals

  • Willis, K., Rayner, J. (2013). Integrative medical doctors—Public health practitioner or lifestyle coach? European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 5, 8-14.
  • Harley, K., Willis, K. (2013). Private health insurance and the illusion of choice. Australian Nursing Journal, 20(8), 22.
  • Rayner, J., Willis, K., Dennis, C. (2012). Older Australian Women Use Complementary Fertility Care: A Practice Audit. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: research on paradigm, practice, and policy, 18(1), 6-7.
  • Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K., Johns, S., Peek, K. (2012). Supporting farmer and fisher health and wellbeing in 'difficult times': Communities of place and industry associations. Rural Society, 22(1), 31-44.
  • Willis, K., Small, R., Brown, S. (2012). Using documents to investigate links between implementation and sustainability in a complex community intervention: The PRISM study. Social Science and Medicine, 75(7), 1222-1229.
  • Harley, K., Willis, K., Gabe, J., Short, S., Collyer, F., Natalier, K., Calnan, M. (2011). Constructing health consumers: Private health insurance discourses in Australia and the United Kingdom. Health Sociology Review, 20(3), 306-320.
  • Forster, D., Newton, M., McLachlan, H., Willis, K. (2011). Exploring implementation and sustainability of models of care: can theory help? BMC Public Health, 11(5 (Supplement)), 1-10.
  • Willis, K., Robinson, A., Wood-Baker, R., Turner, P., Walters, E. (2011). Participating in Research: Exploring Participation and Engagement in a Study of Self-Management for People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Qualitative Health Research, 21(9), 1273-1282.
  • Rayner, J., Willis, K., Pirotta, M. (2011). What's in a name? Integrative medicine or simply good medical practice? Journal Of Family Practice, 28(6), 655-660.
  • Rayner, J., Willis, K., Burgess, R. (2011). Women's use of complementary and alternative medicine for fertility enhancement: A review of the literature. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: research on paradigm, practice, and policy, 17(8), 685-690.
  • Willis, K., Green, J., Daly, J., Williamson, L., Bandyopadhyay, M. (2009). Perils and Possibilities: Achieving best evidence from focus groups in public health research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33(2), 13-136.
  • Welch, N., Hunter, W., Butera, K., Willis, K., Cleland, V., Crawford, D., Ball, K. (2009). Women's work: maintaining a healthy body weight. Appetite, 53, 9-15.
  • Willis, K. (2008). 'I come because I am called': Recruitment and participation in mammography screening in Uppsala, Sweden. Health Care for Women International, 29(2), 135-150.
  • Natalier, K., Willis, K. (2008). Taking responsibility or averting risk? A socio-cultural approach to risk and trust in private health insurance decisions. Health, Risk and Society, 10(4), 399-411.
  • Vogt, M., Willis, K., Vince, J. (2008). Weighing up the risks - the decision to purchase housing on a flood plain. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 23(1), 49-53.
  • Green, J., Willis, K., Hughes, E., Small, R., Welch, N., Gibbs, L., Daly, J. (2007). Generating best evidence from qualitative research: the role of data analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6), 545-550.
  • Whelan, J., Willis, K. (2007). Problems with provision: barriers to drinking water quality and public health in rural Tasmania, Australia. Rural and Remote Health, 7(3), 627.
  • Willis, K., Daly, J., Kealy, M., Small, R., Koutroulis, G., Green, J., Gibbs, L., Thomas, S. (2007). The essential role of social theory in qualitative public health research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(5), 438-443.
  • Gibbs, L., Kealy, M., Willis, K., Green, J., Welch, N., Daly, J. (2007). What have sampling and data collection got to do with good qualitative research? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6), 540-544.
  • Daly, J., Willis, K., Small, R., Green, J., Welch, N., Kealy, M., Hughes, E. (2006). A hierarchy of evidence for assessing qualitative health research. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 60(1), 43-49.
  • Willis, K., Natalier, K. (2006). Good mothers and good workers: A case study exploring the 'seamless' approach to work and Child Care Responsibilities. Just Policy, 39, 38-44.
  • Willis, K., Brown, C., Sahlin, I., Svensson, B., Arnetz, B., Arnetz, J. (2005). Working under pressure - a pilot study of nurse work in a postoperative setting. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 19(2), 87-91.
  • Willis, K. (2004). Personal choice/social responsibility: Women aged 40-49 years and mammography screening. Journal of Sociology, 40(2), 121-136.
  • Willis, K., Craft, C. (2003). SAAP, Safety and Domestic Violence: A Content Analysis. Just Policy, 31, 24-30.
  • Willis, K., Baxter, J. (2003). Trusting technology: Women aged 40-49 years participating in screening for breast cancer - A exploratory study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27(3), 282-286.
  • Willis, K. (1999). Compromise, Country Women and Cancer: Women's Health Policy in Australia. Health Sociology Review, 9(1), 51-61.
  • Willis, K., Cameron, P., Igoe, P. (1997). Building community networks: A road trauma education and training program for rural areas. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 5(1), 6-10.
  • Cameron, P., Willis, K., Richter, D. (1997). Working with People with Eating Disorders: How Do Professional Attitudes Affect Approaches to Early Intervention? Australian Journal of Primary Health, 3(2 & 3), 23-31.
  • Cameron, P., Willis, K., Crack, G. (1995). Education forchange in a post-modern world: redefining revolution. Nurse Education Today, 15(5), 336-340.
  • Willis, K. (1995). Imposed structures and contested meanings: policies and politics of public participation. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 30(2), 211-227.

Conferences

  • Harley, K., Collyer, F., Willis, K., Calnan, M., Gabe, J. (2012). Choosing health care: a view from the sociological literature. ISA Forum on Sociology, Social Justice and Democratization, Argentina.
  • Shepherd, M., Natalier, K., Willis, K. (2012). Resisting and constructing the good mother ideal: negotiation and knowledge in interactions between mothers and child health nurses. TASA, Emerging and Enduring Inequalities, Australia: University of Queensland.
  • Harley, K., Willis, K., Short, S., Collyer, F., Gabe, J., Calnan, M. (2011). Navigating public/private healthcare boundaries: choice and healthcare capital. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association 2011: Local Lives/Global Networks (TASA 2011), Newcastle, Australia: University of Newcastle.
  • Harley, K., Gabe, J., Willis, K., Short, S., Collyer, F., Natalier, K., Calnan, M. (2011). Partnership with the state: private health insurance in the United Kingdom and Australia. 2011 The British Sociological Association Annual Conference, United Kingdom: The British Sociological Association.
  • Peek, K., Johns, S., Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K. (2011). Staying healthy: how farmers and fishers maintain good health in difficult times. 11th National Rural Health Conference, Canberra: National Rural Health Alliance Inc.
  • Bishop, E., Willis, K., West, M. (2010). Celebrity and performance in the hopes of children. Colloque International Enfance & Cultures.
  • Willis, K., Rayner, J., Pirotta, M. (2010). Respositioning practices or changes in care? Exploring integrative medical practice in contemporary Australia. The annual conference of the Australian Sociological Association TASA 2010, Australia: The Australian Sociological Society.
  • Collyer, F., Short, S., Harley, K., Willis, K., Bandyopadhyay, M. (2010). Social Values, Private Health Insurance. Australian Sociological Association Annual Conference, Australia: Australian Sociological Association.
  • Willis, K. (2009). Integrative medical practice and the role of evidence. Network of Researchers in the Public Health of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Australian Sociology. British Sociology Association Medical Sociology conference, UK: The British Sociological Association.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Complex interventions and chronic illness – The experience of participants in the pathways home project. British Sociology Association Medical Sociology conference, UK: The British Sociological Association.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Data Analysis in Qualitative Research. Mother and Child Health Research Workshop for Post Graduate Students and Staff.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Documenting an Intervention - Qualitative Research and Complex Interventions in Health Care. 7th Qualitative Research Conference, United Kingdom: Bournemouth University.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Teaching Sociology in Health Courses. TASA Conference 2008: The annual conference of The Australian Sociological Association, Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Sociological Association (TASA).
  • Willis, K., Vince, J., Vogt, M. (2007). Coming, ready or not - Perceptions of flood risk in the Launceston Community. 5th Victorian Flood Management Conference, Victoria: Victorian water Industry Association INC.
  • Willis, K., Vince, J. (2007). Launceston Flood Study. School of Government Seminar Series, University of Tasmania, Hobart: University of Tasmania.
  • Willis, K. (2006). Health, Communities and Wellbeing. Visions for Tasmania, Hobart: University of Tasmania.
  • Daly, J., Willis, K., Zabinski, J., Green, J. (2006). Qualitative research into determinants of health: the role of social theory. Australia Public Health Association Annul Conference, Sydney: Public Health Association of Australia Inc.
  • Willis, K., Craft, C. (2005). Trajectories to offending: How children in care become offenders. Risky Business: one day conference for Social Workers, Launceston: University of Tasmania.

Report

  • Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K., Peek, K., Johns, S. (2013). Guidelines for Best Practice Health and Wellbeing Services and Resources for the Rural Sector.

2013

  • Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K., Peek, K., Johns, S. (2013). Guidelines for Best Practice Health and Wellbeing Services and Resources for the Rural Sector.
  • Willis, K., Rayner, J. (2013). Integrative medical doctors—Public health practitioner or lifestyle coach? European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 5, 8-14.
  • Harley, K., Willis, K. (2013). Private health insurance and the illusion of choice. Australian Nursing Journal, 20(8), 22.
  • Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K., Peek, K., Johns, S. (2013). Staying Healthy: Behaviours and services used by farmers and fishers. Canberra: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

2012

  • Willis, K. (2012). Choice, Trust and Risk - The Policy Context and Mammography Screening. In Dr. Nachiko Uchiyama and Marcelo Zanchetta do Nascimento (Eds.), Mammography - Recent Advances, (pp. 3-24). Rijeka: InTech Publishers.
  • Harley, K., Collyer, F., Willis, K., Calnan, M., Gabe, J. (2012). Choosing health care: a view from the sociological literature. ISA Forum on Sociology, Social Justice and Democratization, Argentina.
  • Rayner, J., Willis, K., Dennis, C. (2012). Older Australian Women Use Complementary Fertility Care: A Practice Audit. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: research on paradigm, practice, and policy, 18(1), 6-7.
  • Shepherd, M., Natalier, K., Willis, K. (2012). Resisting and constructing the good mother ideal: negotiation and knowledge in interactions between mothers and child health nurses. TASA, Emerging and Enduring Inequalities, Australia: University of Queensland.
  • Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K., Johns, S., Peek, K. (2012). Supporting farmer and fisher health and wellbeing in 'difficult times': Communities of place and industry associations. Rural Society, 22(1), 31-44.
  • Willis, K., Small, R., Brown, S. (2012). Using documents to investigate links between implementation and sustainability in a complex community intervention: The PRISM study. Social Science and Medicine, 75(7), 1222-1229.

2011

  • Willis, K., Elmer, S. (2011). (2nd edition) Society, Culture and Health: An Introduction to Sociology for Nurses. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Harley, K., Willis, K., Gabe, J., Short, S., Collyer, F., Natalier, K., Calnan, M. (2011). Constructing health consumers: Private health insurance discourses in Australia and the United Kingdom. Health Sociology Review, 20(3), 306-320.
  • Forster, D., Newton, M., McLachlan, H., Willis, K. (2011). Exploring implementation and sustainability of models of care: can theory help? BMC Public Health, 11(5 (Supplement)), 1-10.
  • Harley, K., Willis, K., Short, S., Collyer, F., Gabe, J., Calnan, M. (2011). Navigating public/private healthcare boundaries: choice and healthcare capital. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association 2011: Local Lives/Global Networks (TASA 2011), Newcastle, Australia: University of Newcastle.
  • Willis, K., Robinson, A., Wood-Baker, R., Turner, P., Walters, E. (2011). Participating in Research: Exploring Participation and Engagement in a Study of Self-Management for People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Qualitative Health Research, 21(9), 1273-1282.
  • Harley, K., Gabe, J., Willis, K., Short, S., Collyer, F., Natalier, K., Calnan, M. (2011). Partnership with the state: private health insurance in the United Kingdom and Australia. 2011 The British Sociological Association Annual Conference, United Kingdom: The British Sociological Association.
  • Peek, K., Johns, S., Kilpatrick, S., Willis, K. (2011). Staying healthy: how farmers and fishers maintain good health in difficult times. 11th National Rural Health Conference, Canberra: National Rural Health Alliance Inc.
  • Willis, K., Johns, S., Kilpatrick, S., Peek, K. (2011). Staying Healthy: The Case of Cotton and Cane Growers in Australia. Health and Well-Being: A social and cultural perspective, (pp. 117-126). New York: Nova Science Publishers.
  • Rayner, J., Willis, K., Pirotta, M. (2011). What's in a name? Integrative medicine or simply good medical practice? Journal Of Family Practice, 28(6), 655-660.
  • Rayner, J., Willis, K., Burgess, R. (2011). Women's use of complementary and alternative medicine for fertility enhancement: A review of the literature. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: research on paradigm, practice, and policy, 17(8), 685-690.

2010

  • Bishop, E., Willis, K., West, M. (2010). Celebrity and performance in the hopes of children. Colloque International Enfance & Cultures.
  • Willis, K., Rayner, J., Pirotta, M. (2010). Respositioning practices or changes in care? Exploring integrative medical practice in contemporary Australia. The annual conference of the Australian Sociological Association TASA 2010, Australia: The Australian Sociological Society.
  • Collyer, F., Short, S., Harley, K., Willis, K., Bandyopadhyay, M. (2010). Social Values, Private Health Insurance. Australian Sociological Association Annual Conference, Australia: Australian Sociological Association.

2009

  • Willis, K. (2009). Integrative medical practice and the role of evidence. Network of Researchers in the Public Health of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
  • Willis, K., Green, J., Daly, J., Williamson, L., Bandyopadhyay, M. (2009). Perils and Possibilities: Achieving best evidence from focus groups in public health research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33(2), 13-136.
  • Welch, N., Hunter, W., Butera, K., Willis, K., Cleland, V., Crawford, D., Ball, K. (2009). Women's work: maintaining a healthy body weight. Appetite, 53, 9-15.

2008

  • Willis, K. (2008). 'I come because I am called': Recruitment and participation in mammography screening in Uppsala, Sweden. Health Care for Women International, 29(2), 135-150.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Australian Sociology. British Sociology Association Medical Sociology conference, UK: The British Sociological Association.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Complex interventions and chronic illness – The experience of participants in the pathways home project. British Sociology Association Medical Sociology conference, UK: The British Sociological Association.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Data Analysis in Qualitative Research. Mother and Child Health Research Workshop for Post Graduate Students and Staff.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Documenting an Intervention - Qualitative Research and Complex Interventions in Health Care. 7th Qualitative Research Conference, United Kingdom: Bournemouth University.
  • Natalier, K., Willis, K. (2008). Taking responsibility or averting risk? A socio-cultural approach to risk and trust in private health insurance decisions. Health, Risk and Society, 10(4), 399-411.
  • Willis, K. (2008). Teaching Sociology in Health Courses. TASA Conference 2008: The annual conference of The Australian Sociological Association, Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Sociological Association (TASA).
  • Vogt, M., Willis, K., Vince, J. (2008). Weighing up the risks - the decision to purchase housing on a flood plain. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 23(1), 49-53.

2007

  • Willis, K., Vince, J., Vogt, M. (2007). Coming, ready or not - Perceptions of flood risk in the Launceston Community. 5th Victorian Flood Management Conference, Victoria: Victorian water Industry Association INC.
  • Green, J., Willis, K., Hughes, E., Small, R., Welch, N., Gibbs, L., Daly, J. (2007). Generating best evidence from qualitative research: the role of data analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6), 545-550.
  • Willis, K., Vince, J. (2007). Launceston Flood Study. School of Government Seminar Series, University of Tasmania, Hobart: University of Tasmania.
  • Whelan, J., Willis, K. (2007). Problems with provision: barriers to drinking water quality and public health in rural Tasmania, Australia. Rural and Remote Health, 7(3), 627.
  • Willis, K., Elmer, S. (2007). Society, Culture and Health: An introduction to sociology for nurses. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Willis, K., Daly, J., Kealy, M., Small, R., Koutroulis, G., Green, J., Gibbs, L., Thomas, S. (2007). The essential role of social theory in qualitative public health research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(5), 438-443.
  • Willis, K., Craft, C., Vogt, M., West, M. (2007). Tree of Hope. Tasmania: Launceston City Council, University of Tasmania.
  • Gibbs, L., Kealy, M., Willis, K., Green, J., Welch, N., Daly, J. (2007). What have sampling and data collection got to do with good qualitative research? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6), 540-544.

2006

  • Daly, J., Willis, K., Small, R., Green, J., Welch, N., Kealy, M., Hughes, E. (2006). A hierarchy of evidence for assessing qualitative health research. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 60(1), 43-49.
  • Willis, K., Natalier, K. (2006). Good mothers and good workers: A case study exploring the 'seamless' approach to work and Child Care Responsibilities. Just Policy, 39, 38-44.
  • Willis, K. (2006). Health, Communities and Wellbeing. Visions for Tasmania, Hobart: University of Tasmania.
  • Daly, J., Willis, K., Zabinski, J., Green, J. (2006). Qualitative research into determinants of health: the role of social theory. Australia Public Health Association Annul Conference, Sydney: Public Health Association of Australia Inc.

2005

  • Willis, K., Craft, C. (2005). Trajectories to offending: How children in care become offenders. Risky Business: one day conference for Social Workers, Launceston: University of Tasmania.
  • Willis, K., Brown, C., Sahlin, I., Svensson, B., Arnetz, B., Arnetz, J. (2005). Working under pressure - a pilot study of nurse work in a postoperative setting. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 19(2), 87-91.

2004

  • Willis, K. (2004). Personal choice/social responsibility: Women aged 40-49 years and mammography screening. Journal of Sociology, 40(2), 121-136.

2003

  • Willis, K. (2003). Challenging the Evidence - Women's Health Policy in Australia. In Vivian Lin, Brendan Gibson (Eds.), Evidence-Based Health Policy: Problems and Possibilities, (pp. 211-223). UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Willis, K., Craft, C. (2003). SAAP, Safety and Domestic Violence: A Content Analysis. Just Policy, 31, 24-30.
  • Willis, K., Baxter, J. (2003). Trusting technology: Women aged 40-49 years participating in screening for breast cancer - A exploratory study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27(3), 282-286.

2001

  • Willis, K. (2001). Who Will Benefit? The Case of Screening for Breast Cancer Using Mammography. In J. Daly, M. Guillemin, S. Hill (Eds.), Technologies and Health - Critical Compromises, (pp. 219-259). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.

1999

  • Willis, K. (1999). Compromise, Country Women and Cancer: Women's Health Policy in Australia. Health Sociology Review, 9(1), 51-61.

1997

  • Willis, K., Cameron, P., Igoe, P. (1997). Building community networks: A road trauma education and training program for rural areas. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 5(1), 6-10.
  • Cameron, P., Willis, K., Richter, D. (1997). Working with People with Eating Disorders: How Do Professional Attitudes Affect Approaches to Early Intervention? Australian Journal of Primary Health, 3(2 & 3), 23-31.

1995

  • Cameron, P., Willis, K., Crack, G. (1995). Education forchange in a post-modern world: redefining revolution. Nurse Education Today, 15(5), 336-340.
  • Willis, K. (1995). Imposed structures and contested meanings: policies and politics of public participation. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 30(2), 211-227.
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