About us
Tackling Stigma in Healthcare is a global initiative of the Centre for Social Research in Health at UNSW Sydney.
Our goal is simple: to help end stigma in healthcare so that everyone—no matter their background, lifestyle or circumstance—can access care without judgement, fear, or shame.
The project grew from the first Tackling Stigma Conference, held in Sydney in November 2024. More than 300 people came together to share ideas, insights, and practical strategies for change.
The conference addressed the dozens of conditions, identities and practices that are stigmatised…HIV, hepatitis C, mental health, drug use, obesity, homelessness, sex work, race, gender identity, sexuality… and so many more.
But what we learned at the conference was this: yes, stigma is sadly still deeply embedded in healthcare—but so is the will to change it.
Across every sector, incredible work is already underway to reduce stigma and challenge discrimination. Tackling Stigma in Healthcare exists to bring these efforts together—to consolidate and share what works, so we can build a collective movement for greater change.
Because stigma hasn’t ended until it has ended for everyone.
Our aims
To curate research and resources from across disciplines, making them easier to access and use
To support and inspire healthcare professionals, peer workers, community organisations, and anyone working with stigmatised populations
To profile experts, champions, and community leaders so we can learn from one another and build momentum for change
Our funding
This project is supported from an NHMRC Investigator Award for Scientia Professor Carla Treloar, the Centre for Social Research in Health and the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW Sydney. Carla leads the Stigma Research team at CSRH. You can find out more about the team and their work here.
What we've done so far
Hosted the Tackling Stigma Conference 2024 with more than 300 attendees and hundreds of presentations
Launched the Spotlight on Stigma Webinar series - with over 30 webinars and counting
Launched the Combating Stigma: Strategies for Inclusive Health Services short course
Collected over 250 survey responses globally to understand what resources people working on stigma need
Launched The Stigma Shift newsletter… to share stories, tools and sector-specific insights
Started building a library of resources to support change
Tackle stigma with us
This project is shaped by the people in it. You can get involved by nominating a Anti-Stigma Champion to be featured, sharing your research, resources or case studies, and signing up for our newsletters to receive stories, ideas and practical tools each month.
Let’s tackle stigma together.