Associate Professor Julie Mooney-Somers
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Associate Professor Julie Mooney-Somers

Associate Professor, Qualitative Research in Health
Phone
+61 2 9036 3412
Details
Member of SSSHARC
Associate Professor Julie Mooney-Somers

Julie lived and was educated in Dublin, Hobart, Mt. Isa, London and Sydney. She is a settler on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

Julie uses her academic resources to understand and advance the health of socially disadvantaged people and communities. Engagement with LGBTIQ and First Nation peoples profoundly shaped her approach to academia. She is committed to working ethically with communities to undertake meaningful research that produces knowledge for advocacy, health promotion, and service design and delivery.

Julie is an Associate Professor in Qualitative Research in Health at Sydney Health Ethics (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney), and a visiting fellow at the Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values (University of Wollongong).

Pronouns she/her/hers.

Julie has a strong and continuing track record in research on the health of sexuality and gender diverse people (primarily health related to tobacco, alcohol and other substances, and sexual and reproductive health), with a specific expertise in LBQ women’s health. She leads the longest running periodic survey of LBQ women’s health and wellbeing in the world (SWASH), and collaborates on several projects about LGBTIQ substance use. She favours qualitative methodologies but is pragmatic, using methodologies that will generate knowledge that can be used to produce positive outcomes for communities.

For over a decade Julie has been working with ACON, Australia’s largest HIV prevention and LGBTQ health promotion organisation, including as a member of their ethical review committee (2011-2016), and on their board of directors (since 2012). She has collaborated with ACON on several research projects, including SWASH.

Through her teaching, Julie provides people with the intellectual and practical tools and confidence to undertake good quality qualitative research. She leads qualitative research teaching on the Master of Public Health, with over 10 years experience teaching qualitative health research, qualitative study design and methodologies, and qualitative analysis and writing to university students and community members.

Current teaching:

The above units are available as electives to University of Sydney students, and as professional development courses to non-students (Qualitative Research in Health and Advanced Qualitative Analysis and Writing).

Julie is open to supervise/examine honours, postgraduate, PhD projects on the health of sexuality and gender diverse people.

View Julie's active (and completed) projects here .

  • Rachel Deacon - The Langton Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District & Discipline of Addiction Medicine, University of Sydney
  • Sonja Memedovic, Nicola Black, Louisa Degenhardt, NDARC, UNSW
  • Anna Olsen - Research School of Population Health, ANU
  • Karen Price, Jack Freestone - ACON Health
  • Mohamed Hammoud, Garrett Prestage, Ben Bavington - Kirby Institute for Infectious Diseases, UNSW
  • Adam Bourne -Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society. La Trobe
Cancer, Infection and Immunological Conditions, Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health
Project titleResearch student
Unpacking Vaping in Schools: Engaging Peer Influence to Prevent Adolescent E-cigarette Use in High SchoolsCatriona LOCKETT
Characteristics, management and associations of sexual assault presentations to a sexual assault service; experience and understanding of the medical forensic sexual assault examination from the point of view of patients and the general population.Mary STEWART

Publications

Books

  • Micallef, J., Guy, R., Lewis, L., Kaldor, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Bateson, D., Harvey, C., Van Gemert, C. (2014). Chlamydia testing and management at Australian Family Planning Clinics. Kensington: UNSW.
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Deacon, R., Comfort, J. (2013). Women in contact with the Perth gay and lesbian community: Report of the Women's Western Australian Sexual Health (WWASH) Survey 2010 and 2012. Perth: WA Centre for Health Promotion Research at Curtin.
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Deacon, R., Richters, J., Price, K., Leon de la Barra, S., Schneider, K., Prestage, G., Clayton, S., Parkhill, N. (2012). Women in Contact with the Perth Gay and Lesbian Community: Report of the Sydney Women and Sexual Health (SWASH) Survey 2006, 2008 and 2010. Sydney: ACON.

Book Chapters

  • Davies, C., Robinson, K., Metcalf, A., Ivory, K., Mooney-Somers, J., Race, K., Skinner, R. (2021). Australians of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. In Tinashe Dune, Kim McLeod, Robyn Williams (Eds.), Culture, Diversity and Health in Australia, (pp. 213-231). Australia: Routledge. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Olsen, A. (2018). Role Conflict and Questions of Rigour: Working with Community Researchers in Sexual Health. In R. Iphofen, M. Tolich (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Ethics, (pp. 354-366). London: Sage Publications. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Jordens, C., Kerridge, I., Lewis, P., Smith, K. (2011). Using Innovative Methods to Help Young People Reflect on the Meaning of Growing up with Cancer. In Mario Deng, Federico Raia and Maria Vaccarella (Eds.), Relational Concepts in Medicine, (pp. 171-179). Witney, United Kingdom: Interdisciplinary Press. [More Information]

Journals

  • Grant, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Power, J., Pennay, A., McNair, R., Segan, C., Jones, J., Bourne, A. (2024). Perceptions and Cultural Practices of Vaping Among Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women in Australia. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. [More Information]
  • Faruqui, N., Dawson, A., Steinbeck, K., Fine, E., Mooney-Somers, J. (2024). Research Ethics of Involving Adolescents in Health Research Studies: Perspectives From Australia. Journal of Adolescent Health, 75(3), 502-507. [More Information]
  • Lockett, C., Shah, S., Rizzo Liu, K., Towns, S., Smith, R., Mooney-Somers, J. (2024). Unpacking vaping in schools: Voices from the school community. Health Education Journal. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Maher, L., Phong, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Sichan, K., Masy, T., Stein, S., Couture, M., Sansothy, N., Page, K. (2013). "It makes us dare to do what we did not dare to do before": Amphetamine-type stimulant use and HIV/STI risk behaviour among young female sex workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. XVIII International AIDS Conference 2010, Not-Known.
  • Deacon, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Treloar, C., Maher, L. (2012). At the intersection of two marginalised identities: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people's experiencesof injecting drug use and hepatitis C seroconversion. 12th Social Research Conference on HIV, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases, University of New South Wales: National Centre in HIV Social Research.
  • Maher, L., Phlong, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Phal, S., Couture, M., Sansothy, N., Bates, A., Page, K. (2011). A Hard Sell - Safe Sex in Unsafe spaces: Negotiating the sex work risk environment in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The International Harm Reduction Association's 22nd International Conference, Not-Known.

Exhibitions / Events

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Smith, K., Kerridge, I., Jordens, C. (2012). Growing up with Cancer: Self-portraits by young people growing up with cancer. Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Sydney, Australia: Centre for Values, Ethics and The Law in Medicine (VELiM).

Magazine / Newspaper Articles

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Kean, J. (2024). New research shows the term 'lesbian' is declining in popularity. The reasons why are complex. The Conversation. [More Information]

Report

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Deacon, R., Price, K., Parkhill, N. (2019). Women in contact with the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast LGBTQ communities: Report of the SWASH Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women’s Health Survey 2018.
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Deacon, R., Scott, P., Price, K., Parkhill, N. (2018). Women in contact with the Sydney LGBTQ communities: Report of the SWASH Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women's Health Survey 2014, 2016, 2018.

Research Reports

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Deacon, R., Comfort, J., Richters, J., Parkhill, N. (2013). Women in contact with the Sydney gay and lesbian community: Report of the Sydney Women and Sexual Health (SWASH) Survey 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012, (pp. 8 - 55). NSW, Australia: ACON.

2024

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Kean, J. (2024). New research shows the term 'lesbian' is declining in popularity. The reasons why are complex. The Conversation. [More Information]
  • Grant, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Power, J., Pennay, A., McNair, R., Segan, C., Jones, J., Bourne, A. (2024). Perceptions and Cultural Practices of Vaping Among Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women in Australia. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. [More Information]
  • Faruqui, N., Dawson, A., Steinbeck, K., Fine, E., Mooney-Somers, J. (2024). Research Ethics of Involving Adolescents in Health Research Studies: Perspectives From Australia. Journal of Adolescent Health, 75(3), 502-507. [More Information]

2023

  • Grant, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Power, J., McNair, R., Pennay, A., Jones, J., Bourne, A. (2023). Alcohol and Tobacco Use Among Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Identifying Women: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study Protocol. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Anderst, A., Deacon, R. (2023). How a 25-year-old periodic survey for lesbian, bisexual and queer women responded and adapted to gender diversity: a reflexive analysis. Journal of Gender Studies. [More Information]

2022

  • Amos, N., Bourne, A., Hill, A., Power, J., McNair, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Pennay, A., Carman, M., Lyons, A. (2022). Alcohol and tobacco consumption among Australian sexual minority women: Patterns of use and service engagement. International Journal of Drug Policy, 100, 103516. [More Information]
  • Gibson, A., Drysdale, K., Botfield, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Cook, T., Newman, C. (2022). Navigating trans visibilities, trauma and trust in a new cervical screening clinic. Culture Health and Sexuality, 24(10), 1366-1379. [More Information]
  • Freestone, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Hudson, S. (2022). The sector is ready, and the community needs Australian alcohol and other drug treatment services to ask about sexuality and gender identity. Drug and Alcohol Review, 41(1), 39-42. [More Information]

2021

  • Davies, C., Robinson, K., Metcalf, A., Ivory, K., Mooney-Somers, J., Race, K., Skinner, R. (2021). Australians of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. In Tinashe Dune, Kim McLeod, Robyn Williams (Eds.), Culture, Diversity and Health in Australia, (pp. 213-231). Australia: Routledge. [More Information]
  • Carter, S., Shih, P., Williams, J., Degeling, C., Mooney-Somers, J. (2021). Conducting Qualitative Research Online: Challenges and Solutions. The Patient, 14(6), 711-718. [More Information]
  • Prior, K., Carvalheiro, M., Lawler, S., Stapinski, L., Newton, N., Mooney-Somers, J., Basto-Pereira, M., Barrett, E. (2021). Early trauma and associations with altruistic attitudes and behaviours among young adults. Child Abuse and Neglect, 117, 105091. [More Information]

2020

  • Callander, D., Mooney-Somers, J., Keen, P., Guy, R., Duck, T., Bavinton, B., Grulich, A., Holt, M., Prestage, G. (2020). Australian ‘gayborhoods’ and ‘lesborhoods’: a new method for estimating the number and prevalence of adult gay men and lesbian women living in each Australian postcode. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 34(11), 2160-2176. [More Information]
  • Plater, S., Mooney-Somers, J., Barclay, L., Boulton, J. (2020). Hitting the white ceiling: Structural racism and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university graduates. Journal of Sociology, 56(3), 487-504. [More Information]
  • Januraga, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Gesesew, H., Ward, P. (2020). The logic of condom use in female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1627. [More Information]

2019

  • Lorch, R., Bourne, C., Burton, L., Lewis, L., Brown, K., Bateson, D., Knight, V., Ooi, C., Hoffman, N., Mooney-Somers, J., et al (2019). ADOPTing a new method of partner management for genital chlamydia in New South Wales: findings from a pilot implementation program of patient-delivered partner therapy. Sexual Health, 16(4), 332-339. [More Information]
  • Kolstee, J., Deacon, R., Haidar, S., Gray, J., Mooney-Somers, J. (2019). Changes in social networks are associated with lesbian, bisexual and queer women quitting smoking: An analysis of Australian survey data. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(1), 76-81. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Lau, A., Bateson, D., Richters, J., Stewart, M., Black, K., Nothnagle, M. (2019). Enhancing use of emergency contraceptive pills: A systematic review of women's attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and experiences in Australia. Health Care for Women International, 40(2), 174-195. [More Information]

2018

  • Lewis, L., Mooney-Somers, J., Guy, R., Watchirs-Smith, L., Skinner, R. (2018). 'I see it everywhere': Young Australians unintended exposure to sexual content online. Sexual Health, 15(4), 335-341. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Olsen, A. (2018). Role Conflict and Questions of Rigour: Working with Community Researchers in Sexual Health. In R. Iphofen, M. Tolich (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Ethics, (pp. 354-366). London: Sage Publications. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Deacon, R., Scott, P., Price, K., Parkhill, N. (2018). Women in contact with the Sydney LGBTQ communities: Report of the SWASH Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women's Health Survey 2014, 2016, 2018.

2017

  • Plater, S., Mooney-Somers, J., Lander, J., Barclay, L. (2017). Bulldust, flat tyres and roadkill: A disorderly decolonising fieldwork journey through remote aboriginal and Torres strait islander Australia. Australian Aboriginal Studies, 2, 70-83. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Olsen, A. (2017). Ethical review and qualitative research competence: Guidance for reviewers and applicants. Research Ethics, 13(3-4), 128-138. [More Information]
  • Berger, I., Mooney-Somers, J. (2017). Smoking Cessation Programs for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex People: A Content-Based Systematic Review. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 19(12), 1408-1417. [More Information]

2016

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Lewis, P., Kerridge, I. (2016). Discursive constructions of youth cancer: findings from creative methods research with healthy young people. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 10(3), 427-436. [More Information]
  • Guy, R., Micallef, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Jamil, M., Harvey, C., Bateson, D., Van Gemert, C., Wand, H., Kaldor, J. (2016). Evaluation of Chlamydia Partner Notification Practices and Use of the "Let Them Know" Website by Family Planning Clinicians in Australia: Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(6), 1-11. [More Information]
  • Mitchell, S., Bungay, V., Day, C., Mooney-Somers, J. (2016). Has the experience of Hepatitis C diagnosis improved over the last decade? An analysis of Canadian women's experiences. The Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 48(1), 21-28. [More Information]

2015

  • Maher, L., Dixon, T., Phlong, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Stein, E., Page, K. (2015). Conflicting Rights: How the Prohibition of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Infringes the Right to Health of Female Sex Workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Health and Human Rights: An International Journal, 17(1), 102-113. [More Information]
  • Michael, M., Costello, B., Mooney-Somers, J., Kerridge, I. (2015). Manifesto on Art, Design and Social Science: Method as Speculative Event. Leonardo, 48(2), 190-191. [More Information]
  • Douglas, C., Deacon, R., Mooney-Somers, J. (2015). Pap smear rates among Australian community-attached lesbian and bisexual women: Some good news but disparities persist. Sexual Health, 12(3), 249-256. [More Information]

2014

  • Brown, G., Ellard, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Prestage, G., Crawford, G., Langdon, T. (2014). 'Living a life less ordinary': exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas. Sexual Health, 11(6), 547-555. [More Information]
  • Savard, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Newson, A., Kerridge, I. (2014). Australians' knowledge and perceptions of direct-to-consumer personal genome testing. Internal Medicine Journal, 44(1), 27-31. [More Information]
  • Lewis, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Patterson, P., Jordens, C., Bennett, D., McDonald, F., Smith, K., Kerridge, I. (2014). Caring for young people with cancer: Practical implications of qualitative engagement with cancer survivors and members of the multidisciplinary team. Australian Journal of Cancer Nursing, 15(2), 39-42.

2013

  • Maher, L., Phong, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Sichan, K., Masy, T., Stein, S., Couture, M., Sansothy, N., Page, K. (2013). "It makes us dare to do what we did not dare to do before": Amphetamine-type stimulant use and HIV/STI risk behaviour among young female sex workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. XVIII International AIDS Conference 2010, Not-Known.
  • Deacon, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Treloar, C., Maher, L. (2013). At the intersection of marginalised identities: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people's experiences of injecting drug use and hepatitis C seroconversion. Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(4), 402-410. [More Information]
  • Maher, L., Mooney-Somers, J., Phlong, P., Couture, M., Kien, S., Stein, E., bates, A., Sansothy, N., Page, K. (2013). Condom negotiation across different relationship types by young women engaged in sex work in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Global Public Health, 8(3), 270-283. [More Information]

2012

  • Deacon, R., Mooney-Somers, J., Treloar, C., Maher, L. (2012). At the intersection of two marginalised identities: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people's experiencesof injecting drug use and hepatitis C seroconversion. 12th Social Research Conference on HIV, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases, University of New South Wales: National Centre in HIV Social Research.
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Smith, K., Kerridge, I., Jordens, C. (2012). Growing up with Cancer: Self-portraits by young people growing up with cancer. Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Sydney, Australia: Centre for Values, Ethics and The Law in Medicine (VELiM).
  • Brown, G., Ellard, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Hildebrand, J., Langdon, T. (2012). HIV risk among Australian men travelling overseas: networks and context matter. Culture Health and Sexuality, 14(6), 677-690. [More Information]

2011

  • Maher, L., Phlong, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Phal, S., Couture, M., Sansothy, N., Bates, A., Page, K. (2011). A Hard Sell - Safe Sex in Unsafe spaces: Negotiating the sex work risk environment in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The International Harm Reduction Association's 22nd International Conference, Not-Known.
  • Maher, L., Phlong, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Keo, S., Stein, E., Coutured, M., Page, K. (2011). Amphetamine-type stimulant use and HIV/STI risk behaviour among young female sex workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 22(3), 203-209. [More Information]
  • Smith, K., Mooney-Somers, J. (2011). Beyond the Illustration of Research Data: Using professionally facilitated image making techniques to enable participants to describe, enhance and extend data originally captured using traditional text-based methods of research. 3rd Annual Arts and Health Conference: The Art of Good Health and Wellbeing 2011, Not-Known.

2010

  • Lewis, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Jordens, C., Kerridge, I. (2010). "I Just Want To Help People": Complicating young cancer survivors' accounts of "being a better person". 10th Global Conference of Making Sense of: Health, Illness & Disease, Not-Known.
  • Brown, G., Ellard, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Prestage, G. (2010). 'I was not some young tourist': Acquisition of HIV among Australian men while travelling and working overseas. 22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference 2010, Not-Known.
  • Brown, G., Ellard, J., Prestage, G., Mooney-Somers, J. (2010). 'Living a life less ordinary': Risk perspectives of men acquiring HIV while travelling and working overseas. Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) HIV Educator's Conference, Not-Known.

2009

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Wani, E., Scott, R., Akee, A., Kaldore, J., Maher, L. (2009). Enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People's Resilience to Blood-borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections: Findings from a Community-based Participatory Research Project. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 20(3), 195-201. [More Information]
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Somers, E. (2009). Radical Fairies and Lesbian Avengers: Reflections from a gay dad and his dyke daughter. In Rachel Epstein (Eds.), Whos Your Daddy and other writings on queer parenting, (pp. 283-290). Toronto, Canada: Sumach Press.
  • Mooney-Somers, J., Maher, L. (2009). The Indigenous Resiliency Project: a worked example of community-based participatory research. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 20(7-8), 112-118. [More Information]

2008

  • Mooney-Somers, J., Perz, J., Ussher, J. (2008). A Complex Negotiation: Women's Experiences of Naming and Not Naming Premenstrual Distress in Couple Relationships. Women and Health: the multidisciplinary journal of women's health issues, 47(3), 57-77. [More Information]
  • McCann, P., Treloar, C., Byron, P., Mooney-Somers, J., Maher, L. (2008). Concerns of Injecting drug users regarding trials of Hepatitis C Vaccines. 6th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference 2008, Not-Known.
  • McCann, P., Treloar, C., Mooney-Somers, J., Maher, L. (2008). Concerns of Injecting drug users regarding trials of Hepatitis C Vaccines. 10th Social Research Conference on HIV, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases, Not-Known.

2007

  • Mooney-Somers, J. (2007). Penis. In Michael Flood, Judith Gardiner, Bob Pease and Keith Pringle (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Men and Masculinities, (pp. 473-474). Abingdon, UK: Routledge imprint of Taylor & Francis. [More Information]
  • Ussher, J., Perz, J., Mooney-Somers, J. (2007). The Experience and Positioning of Affect in the Context of Intersubjectivity: The Case of Premenstrual Syndrome. Subjectivity, 2007 (21), 144-165.

2006

  • Mooney-Somers, J. (2006). What might the voices of the second generation tell us? Lesbian and Gay Psychology Review, 7(1).

Selected Grants

2024

  • Improving the physical and mental health of people born with innate variations of sex characteristics, Carpenter M, Newson A, Mooney-Somers J, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal - administered by NHMRC)/2023 Models of Care for Sexuality & Gender Diverse People,People w Innate Variations of Sex Charact.

2022

  • Alcohol and tobacco use among lesbian, bisexual and queer identifying women, Mooney-Somers J, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)