What opportunities exist to improve occupational experiences and health outcomes for migrant workers? 

Researchers form the Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (MonCOEH) will share findings from studies with migrant workers in the Victorian stone benchtop industry and the care sector, discussing occupational risks, systemic challenges, and potential interventions to create safer, fairer workplaces. 

About the presenters:

Dr StellaMay Gwini 
Stella is a Senior Research Fellow at MonCOEH and has a special interest in migrants' health and occupational health. She immigrated to Australia in 2009 and soon learnt of migrants’ health challenges, regardless of where they came from. Her career goal is thus to use her expertise in biostatistics and epidemiology to improve migrants’ occupational health.  

Dr Tessa Keegel 
Tessa is a Senior Research Fellow at MonCOEH. Tessa is interested in the ways an individual's health and well-being are contextualized within workplaces, with respect to occupational exposures and disease, and how policy and legislation might affect these interactions, particularly amongst communities of migrant workers. Tessa’s family migrated to Australia as part of the Sri Lankan diaspora.   

Dr Monica O’Dwyer 
Monica is a Research Fellow at the MonCOEH. Her research focuses on improving health and wellbeing in workplace settings, with a particular interest in the healthcare and social assistance sectors.  She is passionate about understanding the experiences of workers, including those from migrant communities, to inform practical and relevant policy and interventions. Monica completed her PhD in 2022, exploring the experiences of migrant workers in Australia’s aged care and childcare sectors. She also holds a Master of Public Health and has held research, policy, and evaluation roles across aged care organisations, migrant settlement services, and government bodies in Victoria. Monica is a member of the National Aged Care Research Network, the Australian Association of Gerontology, and the Migration and Mobility Research Network.  

This webinar is free and open to all. Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, health professional, or advocate, this is an opportunity to engage with research driving practical solutions.