We are pleased to share that Dr Erin Smith has been appointed as the new Director of the Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research at La Trobe University, effective 1 July.
Erin’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Centre, which is dedicated to addressing health disparities in rural and regional communities through impactful, community-informed research.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Violet Vines Marshman Centre as Director,” said Erin. “I am committed to building on the outstanding work of Professor Leigh Kinsman and the Centre team to drive rurally focused, collaborative, and pragmatic research that helps close the gap in health outcomes between rural and metropolitan Australia.”
Erin is an Associate Professor and Discipline Lead for Paramedicine at La Trobe University and brings a wealth of experience in disaster medicine, public health, and the mental health of first responders. She holds a PhD in Disaster Medicine from Monash University, as well as a Master of Public Health and Master of Clinical Epidemiology.
A widely published researcher, Erin’s commentary and research on the psychosocial impacts of disaster exposure have reached a global audience of over 800 million. She is also a dedicated HDR supervisor, thesis examiner, and peer reviewer across the fields of prehospital and disaster medicine.
Before joining La Trobe, Erin served as the CEO of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, Asia Pacific, where she worked at the intersection of trauma, media, and mental health. She has held several prominent leadership roles, including a seven-year tenure as a Board Director for the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) and current membership on the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) Mental Health Advisory Group.
Professor Jane Mills, Dean of the La Trobe Rural Health School, welcomed the appointment:
“Erin is an exceptional researcher and advocate for rural health. Her leadership and strategic vision will play a vital role in shaping the next phase of growth for the Centre. We are delighted to welcome her into this important role.”
We look forward to the positive impact her leadership will bring to rural health research at La Trobe and beyond.
