Dr Kathryn Wenham is a core member of the Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC) at the UniSC. She is a Lecturer in Public Health, whose research and teaching focus on culturally safe, inclusive and social justice oriented approaches to health and wellbeing, particularly in transcultural and marginalised community contexts.

Research Focus

Dr Wenham’s research sits at the intersection of health, equity, and social justice. Her key areas of focus include:
• African immigrant health, with attention to community-informed approaches to health promotion.
• Gender-based violence and sexual health, particularly determinants, preventionand community-informed responses.
• Cultural safety in education and health settings, including critical reflection on power, identity and institutional practice.
• Embedding Indigenous perspectives within curriculum.

Her work is grounded in participatory, qualitative and community-engaged methodologies that centre lived experience, cultureand ethical research relationships.

Key Research Impact

Dr Wenham’s research contributes to improved understanding of how culturally safe, inclusive and gender-responsive approaches can support equity and wellbeing. Her work with African immigrant communities highlights the importance of culturally informed responses to sexual health and gender-based violence, helping to challenge stigma and inform more culturally acceptable policy and practice.

Through her research on cultural safety and Indigenous perspectives, Dr Wenham supports educators and institutions to critically engage with curriculum design and professional practice, strengthening cultural safety within learning environments. This impact closely aligns with the ITRC’s focus on transcultural research, community voice and social justice.

Translation to Practice and Policy

Dr Wenham’s work informs:
• Public health and educational approaches to cultural safety and inclusion.
• Curriculum and professional learning initiatives that embed Indigenous perspectives.
• Community-based health promotion related to sexual health and gender-based violence.
• Institutional reflection on equity, power and culturally safe practice.

Her research is practice-oriented, supporting professionals and organisations to enact change.

Recognition and Significance

Dr Wenham is recognised for her commitment to community-engagement, strengths-based approaches, and her ability to bridge research, teaching and practice. Her work exemplifies ITRC values by foregrounding cultural safety, ethical engagement and the voices of priority communities.

By addressing African immigrant health, gender-based violence, sexual health and cultural safety through a transcultural lens, Dr Wenham advances the ITRC’s vision of research that supports equity, dignity and positive social change across diverse communities.