Dr Vicki Kerrigan

Postdoctoral researcher

Qualifications:

PhD, Charles Darwin University, 2022; Master of International and Community Development, Deakin University 2016; Bachelor of Arts (Communications), Charles Sturt University, 1994

Location:

Darwin - Royal Darwin Hospital

Biography:

Vicki believes stories have the power to inspire positive change. She is a multidisciplinary qualitative researcher and workshop facilitator with two decades of experience at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a broadcaster and multimedia producer. Vicki’s doctoral thesis: Batji-gum dilba (Good talk medicine): Improving culturally safe communication between doctors and Aboriginal patients in the Northern Territory of Australia explores the barriers and enablers to effective and culturally safe communication between patients and doctors at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH). The thesis was named by Larrakia Elder Aunty Bilawara Lee who is working to revive the Larrakia language.  
Vicki collaborates with First Nations leaders, the NT Health service, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health services and the NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service to conduct Participatory Action Research projects. She produced the multi-award-winning cultural education podcast Ask the Specialist: Larrakia, Tiwi and Yolŋu stories to inspire better healthcare which challenges racism in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vicki collaborated with health and community leaders to develop 22 videos about COVID vaccines in Aboriginal languages: Tiwi, Yolŋu Matha, Kunwinjku, Kriol, Ngangi’kurunggurr, Murrinh-patha, Burarra, Warlpiri, Arrernte and English. She has also worked on research projects relating to rheumatic heart disease and social media and tobacco control. 

Media Expertise
  • Communication in healthcare
  • Racism/anti-racism in healthcare
  • Health communication tools (podcast and videos)