Dr Michael Curtis

Postdoctoral Research Officer

Taking students

Working groups

michael.curtis@burnet.edu.au

Background

Michael is a Postdoctoral Research Officer at the Burnet Institute and a Research Associate at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University. Michael’s research interests include the use of prospective survey and linked administrative data to improve the health and well-being of marginalised groups, with a particular focus on people in prison and people who inject drugs.

Michael completed a PhD in 2023 under the supervision of Professor Mark Stoové and Professor Paul Dietze with Monash University and Burnet Institute. Michael’s PhD examined the impact of retention in opioid agonist treatment on substance use, health and health service use among men recently released from prison. Between 2014-2022, Michael worked at the Burnet Institute as a Research Assistant, primarily collecting data for substance-use related prospective cohort studies.

Before joining Burnet, Michael worked as a social worker in in adult intensive case management, homelessness, and youth out-of-home care.

Qualifications

2023: PhD, Monash University, Australia
2012: BA/BSW(Hons), Monash University, Australia

Appointments

Research Associate, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

Positions

2023-present: Postdoctoral Research Officer, Burnet Institute
2022-present: Research Associate, NDRI, Curtin University
2019-2023: PhD Candidate, Monash University and Burnet Institute
2014-2023: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
2010-2014: Social Worker, Salvation Army Crisis Services.

Awards

2021: INHSU 2021 Conference Scholarship
2021: Miller Foundation Public Health Travel Award
2021: Burnet Student Symposium Best Three Minute Thesis
2019: Monash Addiction Research Centre PhD top-up scholarship
2018: National Health and Medical Research Council postgraduate award
2012: Peter Boss Honours Prize for Social Work.

Reports and other work

ST KILDA 24-HOUR NSP EVALUATION.

The Salvation Army commissioned the Burnet Institute to gather data on its 24-hour needle and syringe program (NSP) in St Kilda. Uniquely in Victoria, the St Kilda NSP is funded to run a staffed service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has been in operation with this model for over 10 years. This section is an executive summary of the Burnet Institute’s findings about the role, impact, and effectiveness of the St Kilda 24-hour NSP service.
ST KILDA 24-HOUR NSP EVALUATION.
The Forest proposal

Explains how we developed The Forest - a model to address underlying causes of incarceration.
The Forest proposal
The Forest co-design report (Burnet Institute and Paper Giant)

Describes the process and evidence behind The Forest - a model to address underlying causes of incarceration.
The Forest co-design report (Burnet Institute and Paper Giant)

Economic and health cost benefit impacts of The Forest (Insight Economics)

Describes the economic and social benefits of The Forest - a model to address underlying causes of incarceration.
Economic and health cost benefit impacts of The Forest (Insight Economics)