Professor Calder has worked in health policy for more than three decades and leads the health policy team in the Institute of Health and Sport.

Professor Calder also leads the Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC), an informal national network of leading health organisations and chronic disease experts that was established in 2014 to collaborate in translation of rigorous research into good policy for better health. The collaboration developed health targets and indicators for preventable chronic diseases to influence health policy and practice and reduce risk factors for preventable chronic conditions throughout the Australian population.

Professor Calder has held positions as a senior executive in health policy and administration in both State and Commonwealth Departments of Health and was head of the Office for the Status of Women in the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2000 to 2003. She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2015 Australia Day Honours. She received the honour for “significant service to public administration, particularly in the areas of mental health and ageing, through academic roles, and to the community.” Professor Calder is a sociologist and began her career as a journalist with The Age.

Areas of expertise

  • Health policy and services
  • Health data
  • Population health
  • Chronic disease prevention
  • Exercise
  • Diet
  • Alcohol rates
  • Smoking rates
  • Preventable deaths

Contact details

+61 (3) 9919 1161