Karen is a public health researcher using decolonising and participatory approaches to address health issues in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. A focus of her research is understanding how social, cultural and spiritual factors influence understandings of health and inform health service delivery. Karen actively supports research education and research capacity strengthening activities in all her work. In her role with the Graduate Research School, Karen provides support to higher degree by research (HDR) students, including pastoral care. Karen also provides higher degree research supervision to students at JCU and at UQ, where she is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Public Health.

Karen was awarded her PhD cum laude in 2019, where she identified the processes midwifery students in Papua New Guinea use to manage the provision of care to women following stillbirth. Karen’s current research with Australian and international partners the Australian Museum, the Australian National University, Baru Conservation Alliance, Pacific Adventist University, and the Smithsonian Institute involves:

• Culturally situating responses to menstrual health and hygiene for girls in Solomon Islands
• Exploring women's experiences of menopause in Solomon Islands
• Documenting traditional knowledge about climate and food security in Kwaio, Solomon Islands
• Culturally appropriate strategies for tuberculosis prevention, detection and treatment in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands
• Strengthening the role of women leaders in Papua New Guinea for improved sexual health and wellbeing

Interests

Research

• Social and cultural determinants of health
• Health of people in Solomon Islands
• Health of people in Papua New Guinea
• Maternal health
• Research capacity strengthening
• Decolonising research

Experience

• 2019 to present - Research Fellow, James Cook University (Cairns)
• 2020 to 2022 - Cohort Doctoral Studies Program Mentor, James Cook University (Cairns)

Research Disciplines

• Public health (4206)
• Applied economics (3801)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Pacific Peoples health (2111)
• Expanding knowledge (2801)

Awards

• 2020 - Medal for Excellence in Higher Degree Research
• 2016 - Joan Hardy Scholarship for Postgraduate Nursing Research (NTEU)
• 2015 to 2018 - Postgraduate Research Scholarship (APA)

Fellowships

• 2019 - Adjunct Research Fellow, The Cairns Institute
• 2015 to 2018 - Postgraduate Fellow, The Cairns Institute

Memberships

• 2019 - International Stillibirth Alliance

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Nunn P, Kumar R, Barrowman H, Chambers L, Fifita L, Gegeo D, Gomese C, McGree S, Rarai A, Cheer K, Esau D, Fa'anunu ', Fong T, Fong-Lomavatu M, Geraghty P, Heorake T, Kekeubata E, Korovulavula I, Kubunavanua E, Lui S, MacLaren D, Malsale P, Nemani S, Plotz R, Puairana G, Rantes J, Singh-Petersen L and Waiwai M (in press) Traditional knowledge for climate resilience in the Pacific Islands. WIREs Climate Change,
• Cheer K, Simeon L, Tommbe R, Kelly J, MacLaren D and Tsey K (2021) Balancing it out: a grounded theory of how midwifery students at a faith-based university in Papua New Guinea provide care to women following stillbirth. Health Care for Women International, 42 (4-6). pp. 895-912
• Grainger D, Watkin-Lui F and Cheer K (2021) The value of informed agency for Torres Strait climate change. Ecological Economics, 180.
• Neuendorf N, Cheer K, Tommbe R, Kokinai C, Simeon L, Browne K, MacLaren D and Redman-MacLaren M (2021) Sexual health and wellbeing training with women in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: a scoping review. Global Health Action, 14 (1).
• Menadue C and Cheer K (2017) Human culture and science fiction: a review of the literature, 1980-2016. SAGE Open, 7 (3). pp. 1-15
• Cheer K (2016) Asia-Pacific women's experiences of stillbirth: a metasynthesis of qualitative literature. Health Care for Women International, 37 (8). pp. 889-905
• Cheer K, MacLaren D and Tsey K (2015) The use of grounded theory in studies of nurses and midwives’ coping processes: A systematic literature search. Contemporary Nurse, 51 (2-3). pp. 200-219

Book Chapters

• Esau D, Redman-Maclaren M, Wheeler S, Harrington R and Cheer K (2023) Grassroots action for improved menstrual health and educational justice with girls in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands. In: Sex and Gender in the Pacific: Contemporary Perspectives on Sexuality, Gender and Health. Taylor & Francis, London, United Kingdom, pp. 81-93

Other research outputs

• Cheer K, Timothy-Harrington R, Esau D, Foroasi E and Redman-MacLaren M (2022) Women’s understanding and experiences of menopause in low-income and middle-income countries in the Asia Pacific region: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 12.
• Cheer K, Watkin Lui F, Shibasaki S, Harvey A, Grainger D and Tsey K (2020) The case for a Torres Strait Islander‐driven, long‐term research agenda for environment, health and wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 44 (3). pp. 177-179
• Klieve H, Cheer K, Whiteside M, Baird L, MacLean S and Tsey K (2019) “A safe haven to support me”: an evaluation report on the Central Coast Family Wellbeing Program. Cairns Institute, Cairns, Queensland [Report]

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Palliative Medicine Pioneers: A Window into the History and Development of Palliative Care in Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• Family planning service provision in Solomon Islands: a case study approach (2023, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.