Upcoming Webinar: Spotlight on Patient Work, Inclusivity Labour and Stigma
Why do some people have to work harder to access healthcare that’s safe and inclusive?
That’s the question at the heart of the latest event in the Spotlight on Stigma seminar series, led by the Centre for Social Research in Health at UNSW Sydney.
Spotlight on Patient Work, Inclusivity Labour and Stigma
Date: Thursday 17 July 2025
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
What is it about?
When we talk about healthcare, we often focus on what providers do. But what about the work patients do—just to feel safe, understood, or respected?
This webinar will explore two important but often overlooked concepts: patient work and inclusivity labour. Patient work refers to the everyday tasks people take on to manage their health. Inclusivity labour is a more specific form of that work—carried out by people from marginalised communities as they navigate healthcare systems that are not always inclusive or stigma-free.
For LGBTQ+ people, migrants, and others, this might mean preparing for bias, adapting to language, or deciphering cues from providers. While these concepts recognise the structural barriers many people face, they also highlight the agency individuals show in actively managing their health.
Speakers include:
Professor Christy E. Newman (they/them), Centre for Social Research in Health and Deputy Dean Research, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture. Christy is a qualitative sociologist with a focus on inclusive health, education, and systems reform.
Anthony K J Smith (he/him), Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Research in Health and Lecturer at the School of Population Health, Curtin University. Anthony’s work focuses on HIV, sexual health, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Loc Nguyen (she/they), public health professional with experience across NGOs and government. Loc specialises in LGBTQ+ and transgender health, with a focus on multicultural populations and structural barriers to care.
Facilitated by:
Dr Elena Cama and Professor Carla Treloar.
About the series:
Spotlight on Stigma is an occasional seminar series presented by the Centre for Social Research in Health. The series brings together national and international experts to explore the latest thinking in stigma science, policy, and practice. Through these conversations, we aim to build shared literacy around stigma, elevate lived experience, and advance efforts to reduce the harmful effects of stigma in healthcare.