India Shackleford
Research Assistant
BSc (Hons)
india.shackleford@thekids.org.au
India is a passionate advocate for women and First Nations people within STEM. She is of Kaunra/Ngarrindjeri descent and studied a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at Flinders University, specialising in forensic and analytical chemistry. India is also a current postgraduate student in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.
India has research experience in several areas, including medicinal chemistry, materials science, illicit drugs and microplastics. She has several years of youth mentoring experience and has previously worked in education outreach roles, looking at the connections between Indigenous Knowledges and Westernised science. Her aim is to conduct meaningful research to promote positive health outcomes on a local, national and global scale. As a Research Assistant within Adolescent Health, India endeavours to better understand factors leading to inequity within health outcomes, particularly in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Published research
Generating evidence to inform responsive and effective actions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent health and well-being: a mix method protocol for evidence integration 'the Roadmap Project'
Australia does not have a national strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent health and as a result, policy and programming actions are fragmented and may not be responsive to needs. Efforts to date have also rarely engaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in co-designing solutions. The Roadmap Project aims to work in partnership with young people to define priority areas of health and well-being need and establish the corresponding developmentally appropriate, evidence-based actions.
Education and Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine – Flinders University (Expected completion date 2026)
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) – Flinders University (2020)
Awards/Honours
- 2022 – Science Meets Parliament- First Nations Representative
- 2021 – The Ken Wanganeen Medal
- 2021 – Flinders University Medal
- 2020 – Ferry Scholarship
- 2019 – Royal Australian Chemical Institute (SA Branch) Prize
- 2019 – Soroptimist International Southern Districts of Adelaide Prize for High Achieving Women