Nina Sivertsen

Nina Sivertsen, PhD (Nurs/Midwif), is an Arctic Indigenous Sea-Sámi woman living and working on Kaurna Lands in Australia, while holding a position as Associate Professor with the Arctic University of Norway. Her work centres on women and family health, the impacts of colonisation and assimilation on healthcare, with a particular focus on integrating culture into mainstream health care provision. Her academic contributions encompass First Nations curriculum design and implementation, with cultural responsiveness in the centre. Nina’s research primarily addresses women’s and family health, health systems and services research, and contributes to shaping restorative policies and practices in mainstream health that benefit Sámi, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

She works in inter-Indigenous settings together with First Nations health professionals from around the world to improve healthcare and health outcomes for all First Nations people. Nina’s work in the nexus of Indigenous women’s identities, culture, health, and education has led to international recognition as evidenced by her partnerships in Norway, Canada and Australia. She is the recipient of numerous awards; amongst them the 2024 ACN Health Minister's Nursing Trailblazer Award (finalist), 2024 Flinders Reconciliation Award (Team), 2022 Flinders Reconciliation Award (Individual), 2021 Women in Innovation Award South Australia, the 2020 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Innovation in Teaching, as well as being a finalist of the 2021 AFR National Teaching Excellence Awards.

Associate Professor Sivertsen is an active member of many community organisations and academic committees providing space for Indigenous voices within strategic planning, governance, and curriculum. She works with research higher degree students to create new knowledge and build capacity enabling students to fulfil their potential as independent academics and researchers of the future.