Flinders University welcomes Professor Richard Edwards as the new Head of Public Health, bringing with him a deep commitment to prevention, health equity and robust public health policy, shaped by decades of experience in teaching, research and advocacy.

Originally trained in medicine and public health in the UK, Professor Edwards held academic roles at the Universities of Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester, before spending nearly 20 years at the University of Otago in Wellington, New Zealand. There, his work in tobacco control — particularly through the ASPIRE Aotearoa Research Centre — helped support world-leading legislation aimed at dramatically reducing smoking prevalence and achieving the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal.

Now based in South Australia, Professor Edwards is excited to support and grow the vibrant public health community at Flinders. He sees the university as a place where high-impact research and teaching can thrive, and hopes to foster collaboration, innovation and meaningful policy engagement.

“I want to help amplify the already excellent work being done here, to promote population health and reduce health inequities,” he says.

A strong advocate for evidence-based public health interventions, Professor Edwards is energised by the challenges and opportunities ahead. He’s particularly encouraged by evidence of political commitment to population health and the vibrant policy environment in South Australia, including a proposed tobacco-free generation initiative.

His motivations stem from early clinical experiences. “As a respiratory doctor, I saw firsthand the huge burden of preventable disease and suffering caused by smoking. That pushed me toward public health — and working to contribute to achieving a vision of virtually eliminating tobacco use,” he explains.

Outside of work, Professor Edwards is enjoying settling into life in South Australia. A keen runner and music enthusiast, he’s eager to explore the state beyond its cities and discover new corners of Australia.

With a career grounded in social justice values and a focus on real-world impact, Professor Edwards is well-positioned to lead Flinders’ Public Health discipline into a bold and promising future.