Academy Fellow

Professor Badland’s research has made important contributions to the social sciences by advancing understanding of the relationship between urban environments, health, wellbeing, and social equity. Her work examines how the places in which people live, work, and participate influence their opportunities, experiences and quality of life. It demonstrates that urban planning and policy decisions are not socially neutral: the design and accessibility of neighbourhoods can create benefits for some groups while reinforcing disadvantage for others.

A central contribution of Professor Badland’s research is the development of a more equity-focused understanding of urban environments. Her work highlights that improvements to neighbourhoods may have different consequences for different populations. For example, urban change can contribute to gentrification, displacement, or reduced access for people who are already marginalised. Her research encourages policymakers and practitioners to consider not only whether an environment is liveable, but for whom it is liveable, and whether its benefits are distributed fairly.

This work has helped broaden discussions of the built environment by placing the experiences of children, older adults, people with disabilities, and other under-represented groups at the centre of research and policy. It has contributed to a stronger recognition that inclusive urban development requires attention to accessibility, participation, social inclusion, and the diverse needs of communities. In this way, Professor Badland’s research connects urban planning with public health, disability research, child development, and social policy. 

Another significant contribution has been her work on indicators to measure the social determinants of health. This research has supported the development of evidence-based approaches for examining how housing, transport, neighbourhood design and other environmental conditions affect health and wellbeing. By bringing together social science, population health, and urban research, it has provided a basis for assessing the broader social and structural factors that shape people’s lives. This interdisciplinary approach has strengthened the capacity of researchers and policymakers to understand complex social problems and develop more effective responses.

The influence of this research is demonstrated by its substantial scholarly uptake. Key publications have received significant recognition. The research has also informed continuing programs focused on children with disability, child development, and inclusive environments, supported by major Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council grants.

Overall, Professor Badland’s research significance lies in challenging conventional urban planning approaches and promoting environments that are healthier, more inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Her work has helped strengthen the evidence base for fairer urban development and has influenced ongoing research into the social conditions that shape participation, inclusion, health, and wellbeing

Australian Research Council Future Fellow (2024-2028)

Director, Social Equity Research Centre (2023-2026)

Fellowships

Australian Research Council Future Fellow (2024-2028)

Salzburg Global Fellow (2018)

RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship (2017-2024)

National Heart Foundation (NZ) Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (2007-2010)

Memberships

Public Health Association of Australia

Australian Health Promotion Association

Institute of Australian Geographers

Transport and Health Science Group

Selected awards

Top 2% of Scientists, Elsevier & Stanford University list (2023 onwards)

RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence: Mid-Career Researcher (2023)

Scopus Australia and New Zealand Outstanding Researcher of Excellence in Women (2022)

Australian Health Promotion Association Thinker in Residence (2018)

1.   Badland, H, Villanueva, K, Dearn, E & Alderton, A 2025, Do Australian disability policies support accessible and inclusive neighbourhoods for children with disability? Urban Policy and Research, doi.org/10.1080/08111146.2025.2541172.

2.   Villanueva, K, Turrell, G, Alderton, A, Davern, M, Brinkman, S, Gauvin, L, Goldfeld, S & Badland H, 2024, Neighborhood ‘double disadvantage’ and child development in inner city and growth areas. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 7: 10.1016/j.wss.2024.100231.

3.   Alderton, A, Aitken, Z, Hewitt, B, Dearn, E & Badland H, 2025. Characteristics of geographic environments that support the health and wellbeing of young people with disability: A scoping review. Social Science & Medicine, 370: doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117842.

4.   Gray, S, Guo, S, Pham, C, Downes, M, Lange, K, Woolfenden, S, Redmond, G, Priest, N, O’Connor, M, Badland, H, Azpitarte, F & Goldfeld, S, 2026, Epidemiology of child disadvantage and developmental vulnerability in Australia: Insights from linked administrative data. Public Health, 251: doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106111.

Badji, S, Dickinson, H, Badland, H, Petrie, D, Llewellyn, G & Kavanagh A, 2026, Improving the health of Australians with disability: Recommendations form a federal-level policy forum. BMC Heath Services Research, doi.org/10.1186/ s12913-026-15461-7.