"I have loved the flexibility of the MPH. I did not start with a “specialisation” in mind, meaning I could draw from different streams. By my final semester, I had found my way into the Health, Gender and Society stream due to my elective studies and health sociology research project. I am passionate about the structural determinants of health, such as colonialism and neoliberalism."
Driven by a passion for understanding the structural determinants of health, Bronte Alston has recently completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health, Gender & Society. Now, as a Research Assistant working for Reproductive Justice and Climate Justice, she applies her practical knowledge to address critical intersections often overlooked in climate change discussions. She aspires to impact change through systems-level policy and grassroots community engagement, reflecting her dedication to addressing health disparities.
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Why did you decide to study at the University of Melbourne?
Before the MPH, I studied a Bachelor of Biomedicine. My favorite subjects were actually my breadth electives in the humanities, especially linguistics, so I considered speech pathology for a while. Although I could not articulate it well at the time, I was starting to critically examine how I understood “health” and “wellbeing”. I wanted to zoom out, and Public Health seemed like a step in the right direction. I liked how the Unimelb MPH seemed less prescriptive than other courses, a “choose my own adventure” of sorts. In particular, the subject ‘Planetary and Global Health’ caught my attention. It was the only non-core subject I had locked-in from the start. Beyond that, I allowed myself the space to see where the MPH would take me.
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What do you like most about your studies at the University of Melbourne?
I have loved the flexibility of the MPH. I did not start with a “specialisation” in mind, meaning I could draw from different streams. By my final semester, I had found my way into the Health, Gender and Society stream due to my elective studies and health sociology research project. I am passionate about the structural determinants of health, such as colonialism and neoliberalism.
Coming from a background in STEM, I did not expect to be so completely enamoured by qualitative research. The core qualitative methods subject (second semester of MPH) was a huge shift for me. I realised these subjects better suits the way I think and see the world, epistemologically speaking.
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What have been the best things about studying the Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne?
The MPH has challenged me intellectually and personally. It was as much a journey of learning as it was an inward reflection. I feel privileged to have had exposure to such diverse knowledge holders and leaders which is a testament to the interdisciplinarity of the MPH. I have also made some genuine life-long mates whom I feel lucky to know and be known by.
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What kinds of work integrated learning, practical experience or academic enrichment activities did you participate in your degree, and how did they impact your development?
In my first year of the MPH, I participated in a number of opportunities such as Model United Nations to explore different skill sets. In my final year, I focused more on refining my research and leadership skills through a Research Project capstone and the Wattle Fellowship.
Under the supervision of Prof Louise Keogh and Dr Bronwen Merner from the Centre for Health Equity, I conducted an exploratory qualitative study focusing on how young Victorians experience and describe the phenomenon of pregnancy ambivalence. This project adopted a novel intersectional narrative analysis to capture the complexity of contemporary reproductive decision-making. This was a unique opportunity to make courageous research choices and experience academia beyond the classroom.
The Wattle Fellowship is a year-long leadership development program for students passionate about climate action and sustainability. My Wattle action project piloted the concept of One Health as an entry point to challenge anthropocentrism and coloniality across public health research, policy and practice. This incorporated a five-week internship with two other MSPGH students (Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand), a One Health course for Year 9 and 10 students (Victoria, Australia), and a presentation at the Australian Public Health Conference (nipaluna/Hobart). The Wattle Fellowship has been absolutely instrumental for me to link my public health knowledge with my passion for climate and First Nations justice.
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What goals did you set yourself before starting the course, and have you achieved these?
At the start of my course, I knew that I needed to move from a “micro” to “macro” understanding of health. I hoped to combine my love of the arts with the sciences, to discover that part of myself again and realign with my values. I feel I have achieved that.
My proudest moment would probably be receiving my capstone feedback. My supervisors supported me to bring an idea to life which used to keep me up at night. I wanted to undertake research in a way that embraced the messy complexity of human beings. It was risky, so depending on the evaluator it could be seen as either terrific or terrible. I always leave a part of myself in everything I do, but even more so for this project. The risk paid off. The feedback made me cry with joy!
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Where are you currently working and what is your position title/role?
I am currently working as Research Assistant at UniMelb and ECU before commencing my PhD in February 2024.
Research Assistant at UniMelb
I have been undertaking a literature review to examine the concept of reproductive justice. Based on this exploration of how RJ has been conceptualised and applied, we can start to imagine how RJ might be adapted for an Australian context. I have enjoyed distilling an extremely nuanced and complex topic into a 10-minute presentation for the Future Key Priorities in Health Equity event.
Research Assistant / PhD at ECU
My PhD is an applied research study which explores the knowledges, capacities and actions of community service organisations (CSOs) to mainstream climate justice throughout their programs and operations in Western Australia. I have been working remotely with my new team as an RA before joining them in 2024 when I move to Wadandi Boodja (South-west WA).
As an MPH graduate, I bring a valuable lens to the topic of climate change which is often discussed in techno-scientific terms rather than how it intersects with social justice. Before finding this role, I felt torn between a desire to be involved with systems-level policy or grassroots community engagement. Our work with the ECU Climate Justice and Resilience Toolkit strikingly combines them both by centering Community and Country.
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What advice do you have for future and current students who are interested in studying this course and pursuing a similar career?
First of all, breathe. In a whirlwind of productivity, do not lose you.
Secondly, my undergrad felt like a sprint to the finish line, while my MPH was a challenging hike. Every class brought something new to my attention. But from these steep climbs, you can reach new heights of understanding and see the wider landscape from above. To me, that is always worth a bit of sweat.
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What inspires you?
I am inspired by Country and those who care for her. There is so much to learn from the way all life is interconnected and interdependent within our shared planetary ecosystem. Reconnection with our sense of place and community is what drives me.