SocioHealthLab is a research collective that pursues social transformation in health and healthcare through applied socio-cultural research. We are an interdisciplinary group of researchers with a shared interest in applied sociology, and the use of social theory to think differently about the world around us. We work to identify and destabilise taken-for-granted assumptions, both in our applied health research contexts, and in how the lab operates.
The SocioHealthLab is known for thinking differently about health projects, drawing from, qualitative, post-qualitative, Indigenous and creative/arts-based research methods, and is a resource for health scientists interested in using social theory to deepen their work. Our work explores (and changes) the social, cultural, emotional and micro/macro-political aspects of health and healthcare.
Our Purpose
Why are we here?
1. To Connect
To bring people together from different disciplines, health professions, career stages and countries to share ideas and an interest in applying sociological thinking to health(care) research. To connect with, and draw from, the expertise of communities and health service users as partners in our research.
2. To Stretch
To consider ‘how things can be otherwise,’ to reveal the social layers in health/healthcare, to collaboratively learn how to do health and healthcare differently.
3. To Challenge
To build awareness of the social aspects of healthcare, to develop different, better and more just ways of doing health, care and healthcare.
4. To Energise
To help us enjoy (and bring life, growth, visibility and credibility) the work that we do, often in non-traditional areas of teaching, research and practice.
*These four reasons were developed collectively during the lab’s first meeting.
Our Vision
To work in partnership – with clinicians, community, interdisciplinary researchers of all career stages, theory, artists / creative industries – to transform healthcare for the better (for patients, communities and clinicians): more socially aware, more relational, more inclusive and more just.
What We Do
Our research spans multiple domains of health and healthcare but is united by its sociological and critical theory underpinnings – particularly post-modern, new-materialist and emotions theories and philosophies.
Example areas of research include mental health, cancer care, and musculoskeletal conditions. We also research approaches to health/healthcare, including reflexive examination of allied health practice (e.g., professionalisation, professional ethics, colonisation) and investigation of non-traditional approaches to improving connectedness and belonging in society (e.g., community development).
Our research also takes seriously engagement with the people who are part of our research (i.e., ‘patients’ or service users, communities and industry). Through participatory and collaborative processes, we work closely with individuals and organisations outside of the academy.
Recent Activities
Culture in Mind programme run by World Wellness Group which our lab evaluated for Queensland Health has been expanded to provide services regionally.
With research support from our lab, Health Justice Partnership with Caxton Legal Centre has been renewed with secure funding.
Recent Works
Plage, S., Olson, R. E., Costa, N., Mescouto, K., Suleman, S., Zulfiqar, A., Setchell, J., & Prasad-ildes, R. (2025). Justice in Health? Studying the Role of Legal Support in a Culturally Responsive Mental Health Service in Australia. Qualitative Health Research, 35(4-5), 418-432. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323251315435
Costa, N., Olson, R., Mescouto, K., Setchell, J., Plage, S., Dune, T., Creese, J., Suleman, S., Prasad-ildes, R., & Ng, Z. Y. (2025). Non-clinical Psychosocial Mental Health Support Programmes for People with Diverse Language and Cultural Backgrounds: A Critical Rapid Review. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-024-09893-1
Plage, S., Olson, R., Suleman, S., Setchell, J., Costa, N., Mescouto, K., & Dune, T. (2024). Submission to the Mental Health Community Support Services Psychosocial Supports Consultation. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:43cdd24/MHCSS_Consultation.pdf
Mescouto, K., Olson, R. E., Plage, S., Zulfiqar, A., Setchell, J., Dune, T., Suleman, S., Cummins, D., Prasad-Ildes, R., & Costa, N. (2024). Navigating whiteness: affective relational intensities of non-clinical psychosocial support by and for culturally and linguistically diverse people. Frontiers in Sociology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1282938
Olson, R., Costa, N., Plage, S., Dune, T., & Setchell, J. (2023). Program evaluation on the characteristics of specialist psychosocial mental health support programs for people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Queensland. Prepared for Queensland Health, Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs – Strategy and Planning Branch. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4f711e3/SHL_Report.pdf?dsi_version=8e14eb5f216c1b56481feb08d8d42421
Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation Special Video Series: Doing Healthcare Research Differently Part 1 & Part 2
Health home hope - a photographic exhibition on housing and health
Previous Projects
Project title | Funding | Investigators | Contact |
| The Edge of the Forest: Postqualitative Entanglements with Mental Health Allyship | Routledge | Dr Tim Barlott | |
Enhancing the human aspects of living with low back pain – moving beyond the limitations of the ‘biopsychosocial’ model | NHMRC Arthritis Australia
| Ms Nathalia Costa Ms Karime Mescouto
| |
Exploring hetero- and cis-normativity in physiotherapy. | Physiotherapy Research Fund | A/Prof John Hammond
| |
Investigating the possibilities of ‘trauma informed care’ in inpatient physiotherapy | St Vincent’s Hospital (Vic) | Dr Sophie Heywood | |
Enhancing the human dimensions of living with muscular dystrophy. | AMS Phoenix Bloorview Research Institute AHSC AFP Innovation Fund (International project in Canada through Prof Gibson’s CDARs lab | Prof Barbara Gibson Dr Thomas Abrams Dr Patty Thille Dr Laura McAdams
| |
Exploring the micropolitics of professional ethics | UQ Summer Scholarship Program | Dr Tim Barlott Dr Cathy McBryde | |
Critical analysis of ICT use by people with intellectual/learning disability | School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Dr Tim Barlott | |
Supporting reflective practice in health professional students on placement in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health context using digital technology | School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Dr Tim Barlott Dr Alison Nelson Ms Renée Brown | |
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of international university students | School of Social Science | Ms Christian Seja Ms Phillipa Johnson Ms Adrienne McGhee | |
| Talking about death: A study into palliative care communication | The Mater Hospital | Prof Janet Hardy A/Prof Phillip Good | r.olson@uq.edu.au |
| Feel like quitting: Exploring the socio-emotional dimensions of lung cancer screening | School of Social Science, Prince Charles Hospital & NHMRC | Dr Henry Marshall | r.olson@uq.edu.au |
| Talking MedCan: Qualitative sub-study to an RCT into medicinal cannabinoids in palliative care | NHMRC & The Mater Hospital | Prof Janet Hardy A/Prof Phillip Good | r.olson@uq.edu.au |
| A sociological study of emotional and cultural aspects of interprofessional practice | The University of Queensland | r.olson@uq.edu.au |
Critical Theory Reading Group – meets 2-3 times per year via zoom (email sociohealthlab@uq.edu.au to join)