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Published on the 22 September 2025

Dr Danielle Russell is a postdoctoral fellow at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼǒs Kirby Institute whose research explores the intersections of substance use, stigma and health equity. Having navigated health systems in the United States (US) and Australia, Danielle has seen first-hand how approaches to care and community can differ.

Ahead of guest speaking in the Centre for Social Research in Health’s Combating Stigma: Strategies for Inclusive Health Services short course, Danielle reflects on her experiences, sharing insights about dignity, inclusion and the dual lens she brings to research and practice.

Let's start with what first drew you to public health and harm reduction.

Was there a moment that made you realise this was the work you wanted to do?

I came to it through necessity. Chronic health issues from injecting drug use left me unable to work and, while on disability, I went back to school in my 30s. A women’s studies course opened my eyes to queer theory and the broader forces shaping our lives. It helped me see substance use not as an individual failing but as something deeply political. That perspective, and wanting to help people I care about, anchored me in this work.

You grew up in the United States and are now working in Australia.

How have your experiences informed the way you see health systems and engage with communities?

The contrast is stark. In the US, when I tested positive for hepatitis C, I was shamed, gatekept and denied treatment unless I proved I was ‘clean.’ Here, in Australia, I saw people tested and treated with dignity on the spot. It was almost emotional seeing how simple and humane it could be. That difference speaks volumes about how much systems either humanise or dehumanise people.

Balancing your lived experience with your role as a researcher gives you quite a unique viewpoint.

How do you navigate these two perspectives?

It’s a work in progress. My words land differently because of who I am, what I’ve experienced and my positionality. Sometimes people project bias onto me even when I’m quoting others’ research. People also assume I’m biased because I’m open about my past. I’ve had to accept that visibility comes with vulnerability. I choose to speak in my own voice, even if it defies academic conventions, because I want to model pride in where I come from. Some people don’t see it as a choice, though, and assume if you don’t present a certain way, you aren’t an expert. That can be challenging.

As a guest speaker in the Combating Stigma short course, you provide participants with a bridge between academia and lived experience.

Why is it important?

It can feel vulnerable talking about painful things, and sometimes it lands with silence. But it matters. Students have even reached out afterwards, which means a lot. It shows it makes an impact. Research has often spoken about people who use drugs in objectifying and inaccurate ways. I want to help shift that narrative.

What does real community leadership in research look like?

It’s still early. There are people like Annie Madden and David Frank who’ve paved the way, but stigma and criminalisation make openness risky. Some peer researchers aren’t ‘out’ about their lived experience because it’s dangerous. True leadership means having people with lived experience at every level—not just as participants but shaping projects from the start—and supporting them properly.

I believe research has the power to create positive social change, and for me, this is the space where I hope I can contribute.

Can you share an example where listening to the community changed a project’s direction?

In a methadone working group during the COVID-19 pandemic, clinics in the US said they were offering telehealth to protect patients. On paper it looked good, but community members explained what was really happening: patients still had to come in, wait in crowded clinics and talk to doctors through a phone on a table. It was the doctors who stayed home.

Because the community helped shape the study from the start, we could ask questions that revealed this gap. Without their input, the research would’ve reported ‘successful telehealth’ when it had actually put patients at risk.

Why is Stigma training valuable for everyone, not just those affected?

If you don’t experience stigma yourself, you might not recognise it. Engaging with courses like Combating Stigma helps you learn how others experience the world and how to be a better support to them. Not everyone experiences the same space the same way. Even if you think it doesn’t affect your workplace, it likely affects someone around you. The more people who understand how stigma works, the closer we get to dismantling it.

What are some of the most harmful ways stigma shows up in health services?

Dehumanisation. I’ve seen friends dismissed while they were dying. I’ve seen unconscious people left with paperwork stacked on them. It tells you your life has no value. Over time, you start to believe that and internalise the idea that you don’t matter. It’s devastating.

Researching sensitive topics can be emotionally challenging.

How do you care for your own wellbeing while doing this work?

I pace myself. Early on, I’d testify at hostile legislative hearings and then cry alone in my car. It’s easy to get isolated in this work and that makes it harder. Now I try not to do hard things back-to-back and I talk with people I trust.

Looking ahead, what's needed to improve research and services for stigmatised groups?

More people with lived experience at every level, and more built-in support. People get asked to talk about traumatic things and then go home alone with it. We should assume everyone will be affected and make support universal.

Finally, what guidance would you offer to someone who wants to use their work to reduce stigma and promote more inclusive healthcare?

Keep trying, stay committed and don’t get discouraged. No one knows exactly what will end stigma. But don’t let that stop you—keep going.

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Learn more about Dr Danielle Russell's research and achievements by visiting herÌýResearcher Profile.

Learn more about theÌýCombating Stigma: Strategies for Inclusive Health Services Short Course.

Learn more about theÌýCentre for Social Research in Health.

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