Professor James Smith

Honorary Research Fellow

Qualifications:

PhD, University of Adelaide, 2012; Diploma of Business Management, NT Department of Health & Families, 2009; Graduate Certificate in Public Health, University of Adelaide, 2006; Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training, Royal Adelaide Hospital, 2004; Bachelor of Applied Science Hons (Human Movement), University of South Australia, 2003; Bachelor of Education (Specialisation), University of South Australia, 2003; Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement), University of South Australia, 2001

Location:

Darwin - Charles Darwin University, Casuarina campus

Biography:

Professor James Smith is an Honorary Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. He previously held roles as the Father Frank Flynn Fellow (Harm Minimisation); Head of the Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling team; and Director of the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing - Northern Territory at Menzies. He currently works as the Deputy Dean of Rural and Remote Health, and Professor of Health and Social Equity at Flinders University.

He has previously held roles as Equity Fellow with the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education hosted through the Office of Pro Vice Chancellor – Indigenous Leadership at Charles Darwin University (CDU). He was also the Co-Lead of the Indigenous Leadership Research and Evaluation Network; and Program Manager for the Whole of Community Engagement initiative, at CDU. Previous to these roles he held senior management and executive positions in both government and non-government contexts, spanning health and education settings across the NT. 

Professor Smith has research expertise in health promotion, prevention, community engagement, men’s health, Indigenous health, and Indigenous education. He is a Fellow of the Australian Health Promotion Association; and current Editor-in-Chief of the Health Promotion Journal of Australia. He is actively engaged in a range of community focused roles, including Board Member of the Heart Foundation (NT Division); and Deputy Chair of the Community Advisory Council of the NT Primary Health Network (NTPHN) Association for Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies NT. He also holds additional honorary research appointments at the University of Sydney, CDU, Deakin University, Curtin University, University of Michigan and the University of Saskatchewan. 

James has led and managed over $17 million in competitive research grants and evaluation consultancies; and has won a range of national accolades for his research and professional achievements.

  1. Smith, J., Adams, M. & Bonson, J. (2018). Investment in men’s health in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia. 208 (1), 6-7.
  2. Smith, J. & Herriot, M. (2017). Positioning health promotion as a policy priority in Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 28 (1), 5-7.
  3. Smith, J., Crawford, G. & Signal, L. (2016). The case of national health promotion policy in Australia: where to now? Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 27 (1), 61-65.
  4. Smith, J., Schmitt, D., Fereday, L. & Bonson, J. (2015). Ethics and health promotion within policy and practice contexts in a small jurisdiction: perspectives from the Northern Territory. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 26 (3), 231-234.
  5. Smith, J. (2014). Reflections on the framing of ‘health equity’ in the National Primary Health Care Strategic Framework: A cause for celebration or concern? Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 25 (1), 42-45.
  6. Smith, J., White, A., Richardson, N., Robertson, S. & Ward, M. (2009). The men’s health policy contexts in Australia, the UK & Ireland: Advancement or abandonment? Critical Public Health. 19 (3-4), 427-440.
  7. Smith, J., Braunack-Mayer, A., Wittert, G., & Warin, M. (2008). Qualities men value when communicating with GPs: Implications for primary care settings. Medical Journal of Australia. 189 (11/12), 618-621.
  8. Smith, J. & Robertson, S. (2008). Men’s health promotion: A new frontier in Australia and the UK? Health Promotion International. 23 (3), 283-289.
  9. Smith, J., Braunack-Mayer, A., Wittert, G. & Warin, M. (2008). “It’s sort of like being a detective”: Understanding how men self-monitor their health prior to seeking help and using health services. BMC Health Services Research. 8 (56), (doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-8-56)
  10. Smith, J., Braunack-Mayer, A. & Wittert, G. (2006). What do we know about men’s help-seeking and health service use? Medical Journal of Australia. 184 (2), 81-83 

 

  1. MEDIA RELEASE: Boost for male health as Flinders University joins research alliance

    MEDIA RELEASE: Boost for male health as Flinders University joins research alliance

    Date

    Flinders joins the Masonic Charities Trust and existing FCMHW research partners the University of Adelaide, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Menzies School of Health Research.

  2. Unmasking Inequalities Panel 1 Minority Responses to COVID19

    Unmasking Inequalities Panel 1 Minority Responses to COVID19

    Date

    This panel featuring Professor James Smith discusses the ways in which the COVID-19 crisis exposes the differential treatment of minoritized communities.

  3. NT’s experience shows there’s much more work needed on booze

    NT’s experience shows there’s much more work needed on booze

    Date

    An evaluation of the NT’s program by the Menzies School of Health in 2018 offers food for thought for WA.

  4. EXPERT REACTION: NHMRC Alcohol Guidelines - No more than 10 a week and 4 a day

    EXPERT REACTION: NHMRC Alcohol Guidelines - No more than 10 a week and 4 a day

    Date

    Professor James Smith is a Father Frank Flynn Fellow (Harm Minimisation) and Head of the Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling team at Menzies School of Health Research.

  5. Health experts deny booze rules 'crusade'

    Health experts deny booze rules 'crusade'

    Date

    James Smith, head of the alcohol, other drugs and gambling team at the Menzies School of Health Research, said the committee was focused on lowering the risk of harms from alcohol at a population wide level.

  6. Understanding health literacy among young Aboriginal men and boys in the NT

    Understanding health literacy among young Aboriginal men and boys in the NT

    Date

    New research is showing how Facebook can be useful to develop broader understandings of health literacy among young Aboriginal males in the Northern Territory.

  7. Community leaders call for Woolworths Directors to abandon plans for Dan Murphy’s superstore

    Community leaders call for Woolworths Directors to abandon plans for Dan Murphy’s superstore

    Date

    Today community leaders and organisations have released an open letter calling on the Woolworths Board to stop its plans to build one of Australia’s biggest Dan Murphy’s within walking distance of three dry Aboriginal communities.

  8. Launch of the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing NT

    Launch of the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing NT

    Date

    View the Darwin launch of the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing .

  9. The Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing (FCMHW) is set to launch in the Northern Territory

    The Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing (FCMHW) is set to launch in the Northern Territory

    Date

    The research alliance will initially involve Masonic Charities, Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, with the potential for other groups to join in future.

  10. EXPERT REACTION: Aussie smoking rate falls, alcohol consumption stable, but use of some illicit drugs is up

    EXPERT REACTION: Aussie smoking rate falls, alcohol consumption stable, but use of some illicit drugs is up

    Date

    Professor James Smith provides commentary on results about alcohol and other drugs from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

  11. Webinar |  Understanding intersections between health, gender, & culture Young Aboriginal 

    Webinar |  Understanding intersections between health, gender, & culture Young Aboriginal 

    Date

    Fulbright Scholar, Prof James Smith, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  12. Q&A with Menzies Fulbright scholar, Professor James Smith

    Q&A with Menzies Fulbright scholar, Professor James Smith

    Date

    Prof James Smith has recently returned from his Fulbright Scholar Program in the US, providing insight into life during COVID-19 in the states.

  13. Listening to the Voices of Young Indigenous Males About Their Health and Wellbeing: Lessons from Australia

    Listening to the Voices of Young Indigenous Males About Their Health and Wellbeing: Lessons from Australia

    Date

    Prof James Smith presents his research to the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board in Oklahoma , USA.

  14. Director’s Communiqué | Issue 21 November 2019

    Director’s Communiqué | Issue 21 November 2019

    Date

    Uncle Mick and Jesse John Fleay met with Professor James Smith and his team at Menzies School of Research in Darwin.

  15. ABC News: Alcohol-related domestic violence and assaults drop

    ABC News: Alcohol-related domestic violence and assaults drop

    Date

    Alcohol-related domestic violence and assaults drop dramatically one year on from floor price introduction

  16. Sunday Territorian - Bushranger

    Sunday Territorian - Bushranger

    Date

    Mention of Menzies Tuesday Seminar

  17. Sunday Territorian | Liquor watches drunk on power

    Sunday Territorian | Liquor watches drunk on power

    Date

    Sunday Soapbox opinion piece - Hayley Sorensen - mentions Menzies research on the costs and harms of alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory

  18. Campus Morning Mail | The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to Menzies School of Health Research

    Campus Morning Mail | The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to Menzies School of Health Research

    Date

    The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to the Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling Team at the Menzies School of Health Research, in Darwin

  19. MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH RESEARCH RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

    MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH RESEARCH RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research, has won the Research Award at the 2019 National Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Awards in Melbourne.

  20. Bottlo's 'burden of proof' | NT News

    Bottlo's 'burden of proof' | NT News

    Date

    Prof James Smith provides evidence to NT Liqour Comission.

  21. CENTRALIAN ADVOCATE | Grog rehab bed shortage

    CENTRALIAN ADVOCATE | Grog rehab bed shortage

    Date

    Professor James Smith from the Menzies School of Health Research said investing more in brief interventions would save a great deal of money.

  22. NT News | NT Rehab beds short

    NT News | NT Rehab beds short

    Date

    There is a significant unmet demand for alcohol -related treatment in the Territory a new study has found.

  23. One in every 33 people in Northern Territory seeks treatment for alcohol problems

    One in every 33 people in Northern Territory seeks treatment for alcohol problems

    Date

    Menzies researcher Professor James Smith, said the study highlighted a gap between met and unmet demands for treatment services.

  24. Thousands of Territorians are accessing alcohol treatment

    Thousands of Territorians are accessing alcohol treatment

    Date

    Researchers have found there were 42,871 episodes/encounters for alcohol treatment in NT in 2016/17.

  25. Demand Study for Alcohol Treatment Services in the NT

    Demand Study for Alcohol Treatment Services in the NT

    Date

    The study was jointly led by Menzies and the University of New South Wales, in partnership with the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT).

  26. drinktank | Understanding the harm of alcohol consumption

    drinktank | Understanding the harm of alcohol consumption

    Date

    On Drink Tank today, Professor James Smith from the Menzies School of Health Research looks at a couple of the major policies adopted by the government which were influential in securing this award for the Territory.

  27. The social and economic costs and harms of alcohol consumption

    The social and economic costs and harms of alcohol consumption

    Date

    This report presents an overview of the social and economic costs and harms of alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory (NT).

  28. Counting the social, economic costs of alcohol harm

    Counting the social, economic costs of alcohol harm

    Date

    ABC Kimberley | The costs and harm of alcohol consumption have been analysed by Menzies School of Health in the Northern Territory.

  29. Counting the social, economic costs of alcohol harm

    Counting the social, economic costs of alcohol harm

    Date

    ABC Kimberley | The costs and harm of alcohol consumption have been analysed by Menzies School of Health in the Northern Territory.

  30. Curious Darwin: Do Darwin residents really drink more than other Aussies

    Curious Darwin: Do Darwin residents really drink more than other Aussies

    Date

    A report released this month by the Menzies School of Health Research shows that the NT does indeed have the highest rates of alcohol consumption per capita in Australia.

  31. According to NT government, their alcohol reforms are working

    According to NT government, their alcohol reforms are working

    Date

    The social and economic cost of alcohol-related harm in the NT has increased according to research released by the Menzies School of Health Research.

  32. NT News | Alcohol related problems are costing Territory Taxpayers

    NT News | Alcohol related problems are costing Territory Taxpayers

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research | social and economic costs of alcohol in the Northern Territory.

  33. Mix 104.9 Katie Wolf with Professor James Smith

    Mix 104.9 Katie Wolf with Professor James Smith

    Date

    Social and Economic Costs and Harms of Alcohol Consumption in the Northern Territory.

  34. NT govt claims grog reforms are working

    NT govt claims grog reforms are working

    Date

    The social and economic cost of alcohol-related harm in the NT had increased from $642 million in 2009 to $1.38 billion per year, research released on Thursday by the Menzies School of Health Research said.

  35. Katherine goes against the trend on alcohol harm

    Katherine goes against the trend on alcohol harm

    Date

    Further, research conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research shows the social and economic cost of alcohol-related harm in the NT has increased from $642 million in 2009 to $1.38 billion per year.

  36. NTG Release | Alcohol Reforms are Cutting Crime

    NTG Release | Alcohol Reforms are Cutting Crime

    Date

    Further, research conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research shows the social and economic cost of alcohol-related harm in the NT has increased from $642 million in 2009 to $1.38 billion per year.

  37. Health survey of male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the NT

    Health survey of male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the NT

    Date

    The Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Gambling (AODG) Unit at Menzies School of Health Research is leading a research project relating to Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.

  38. More banned drinkers busted trying to buy grog in Katherine than anywhere else

    More banned drinkers busted trying to buy grog in Katherine than anywhere else

    Date

    The independent evaluation overseen by Menzies School of Health Research points to a reduction in the supply of alcohol to problem drinkers and reductions for individuals whose alcohol related behaviour was causing repeat offending.

  39. Safer Communities: BDR Evaluation Shows Positive Results

    Safer Communities: BDR Evaluation Shows Positive Results

    Date

    The independent evaluation overseen by Menzies School of Health Research points to a reduction in the supply of alcohol to problem drinkers and reductions for individuals whose alcohol related behaviour was causing repeat offending.

  40. Menzies researcher wins prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award

    Menzies researcher wins prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award

    Date

    Professor James Smith has been awarded an internationally renowned Fulbright Scholar Award.

  41. 'Long-grassers' admit easy access to grog despite reintroduction of banned drinker register

    'Long-grassers' admit easy access to grog despite reintroduction of banned drinker register

    Date

    A six-month review of the BDR conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research showed it was having an impact, but was not intended to work effectively in isolation.

  42. NT News | Data is lacking in BDR

    NT News | Data is lacking in BDR

    Date

    The banned drinker register turns one tomorrow, but the NT Government is yet to begin to collect hospital data to evaluate its success.

  43. NT Government media release | Evaluation of BDR

    NT Government media release | Evaluation of BDR

    Date

    Safer Communities and Generational Change: Alcohol Reform Progress Update Report and BDR Evaluation Response

  44. Katherine Times | Alcohol reforms rolled out, BDR on track

    Katherine Times | Alcohol reforms rolled out, BDR on track

    Date

    The BDR Evaluation covers the first 6 months of operation and was conducted independently by Menzies School of Health Research and released in June 2018.

  45. NT Government | Evaluation Shows BDR Working to Cut Supply of Alcohol to Problem Drinkers

    NT Government | Evaluation Shows BDR Working to Cut Supply of Alcohol to Problem Drinkers

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research has provided independent oversight of the 6-month process evaluation of the implementation of the BDR.

  46. BDR is working, Govt says

    BDR is working, Govt says

    Date

    Minister Fyles said Menzies School of Health Research has provided independent oversight, and that report is now available online for all Territorians to read.

  47. Hospitalizations spike as booze bill hits hard | NT News

    Hospitalizations spike as booze bill hits hard | NT News

    Date

    Professor James Smith comments on government policy, hospital data and harm-minimisation strategies.

  48. EXPERT REACTION: NT to be first jurisdiction in Australia with minimum floor price on alcohol

    EXPERT REACTION: NT to be first jurisdiction in Australia with minimum floor price on alcohol

    Date

    The Northern Territory will become the first Australian jurisdiction to put a floor price on alcohol. The NT Government says that it would implement a minimum $1.30 floor price per standard drink for all alcoholic beverages. Aussie experts react to the story

  49. Alcohol harm minimisation investments welcomed by leading NT research institute

    Alcohol harm minimisation investments welcomed by leading NT research institute

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) has welcomed the investment in alcohol harm minimisation strategies released today by the Northern Territory Government in The Northern Territory Alcohol Harm Minimisation Action Plan 2018-19.

  50. MJA Podcasts 2018 Episode 2: Men's health, with A/Prof James Smith

    MJA Podcasts 2018 Episode 2: Men's health, with A/Prof James Smith

    Date

    Professor James Smith discusses the importance of investing in men's health, particularly for vulnerable groups.

  51. A Katherine solution to a Katherine problem

    A Katherine solution to a Katherine problem

    Date

    The Katherine community decided there must be another avenue - Thomason Opie from Katherine Youth Justice Reinvestment Group