Sue Malta

5

Articles

12

Comments
  • Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Unit Head, Twins Research Australia and MyBRISK Centre of Research Excellence in Breast Cancer Risk; Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne

I am a sociologist and qualitative researcher with research interests as diverse as health promotion, human interactions (patient-clinician-researcher co-design), close relationships, ageing/ageism, sexual health and wellbeing, technology, and social connection/isolation, amongst others.

I am a Senior Research Fellow and Project Manager for the NHMRC-funded MyBRISK (My Breast Cancer Risk) Centre of Research Excellence and Senior Researcher and Deputy Unit Head of Twins Research Australia (TRA).

As a researcher with previous managerial and professional experience, I am uniquely suited to oversee the day to day operation of these important entities. MyBRISK combines a holistic and precision public health approach to breast cancer control. It uses artificial intelligence applied to digital mammograms, genomics and personal and family data to stratify women across vastly different levels of breast cancer risk. It aims to enable more effective breast cancer screening by having it tailored to a woman's individual risk.

My previous research in close relationships and also in ageing contributes to the future expanding scope of TRA, to ensure our research is applicable across the lifespan. TRA brings twins, multiples and researchers together for vital health research that benefits everyone. Twins and HOMs are special to research as they help us to tease apart the effects of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) on our health - which then allows governments and organisations to develop policies and programs of benefit to the health of the population as a whole. Our research impact has led to better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide range of health conditions. We also support twins and their families to live happy and healthy lives with comprehensive evidence-based educational resources.

I am also a Senior Research Fellow with the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, where I continue to research issues as diverse as retirement village decision-making and factors affecting consumer choices, and with the Sexual Health Unit where I continue to investigate sexual health and wellbeing across the lifespan.

Experience

  • 2013–present
    Adjunct Research Fellow, Swinburne Institute of Social Research
  • 2022–present
    Senior Research Fellow/Project Manager, University of Melbourne
  • 2018–present
    Honorary Research Fellow, National Ageing Research Institute
  • 2016–2022
    Research Fellow/Project Manager, University of Melbourne
  • 2012–2018
    Research Fellow/Stream Leader, National Ageing Research Institute

Education

  • 2013 
    Swinburne University, PhD
  • 2005 
    Swinburne University, BA (Hons)
  • 2004 
    Swinburne University, BSocSci (Psychology)

Publications

  • 2012
    The initiation and progression of late-life romantic relationships , Journal of Sociology [OnlineFirst]
  • 2012
    Using online methods to interview older adults about their romantic and sexual relationships, Researching Later Life and Ageing - Expanding Qualitative Research Horizons
  • 2010
    Preface to the special edition: Ageing and technology, International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society
  • 2007
    Love actually! Older adults and their romantic internet relationships, Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society

Grants and Contracts

  • 2006
    Australian Postgraduate Award
    Role:
    PhD research project
    Funding Source:
    Commonwealth Government

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG)
  • Sexual Health Society of Victoria

Research Areas

  • Sociological Methodology And Research Methods (160807)
  • Gender, Sexuality And Education (130308)
  • Geriatrics And Gerontology (110308)
  • Public Health And Health Services (1117)

Contact Sue for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision