National Reconciliation Week 2026 - A/Prof Robyn Williams

For National Reconciliation Week 2026 (May 27th – June 3rd), Women in Global Health Australia is honoured to feature a profiling series to highlight the incredible work of indigenous women in health policy and research.

Committee Member Prof Jaya Dantas interviewed Associate Professor Robyn Williams,  a Menang Noongar yorga (woman) who has made extensive contributions to Indigenous Health, in particular in researching and destigmatising Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Please tell us a bit about yourself and about your mob and connections to First Nation people.

I am a Menang Noongar yorga (woman) and my moort (family) connections span the Noongar, Yamatji, Nykina, Gooniyandi and Bunuba peoples, and I am privileged to come from a large family network and a deeply generous culture. I have lived and worked my entire career on Noongar Boodja. I am a mother and grandmother, and I have always held a strong love for stories, shaped by the privilege of growing up surrounded by gifted Aboriginal storytellers.

 I am the first in my family to access higher education and complete a university qualification, an opportunity that has profoundly influenced my commitment to decolonising research.  Being raised among gifted storytellers was an inspiration that shaped my early appreciation for narrative, and the strengths of Aboriginal knowledge systems. This foundation naturally evolved into a love for research and a commitment to challenging Western research norms through Indigenous‑led approaches. My academic journey continues to be grounded in community, culture, and the responsibility to ensure that research honours the voices, priorities, and sovereignty of Aboriginal peoples.

I am also an Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Medical School, Curtin University, where I continue to work alongside community to advance research that is culturally grounded, community‑driven, and accountable to Aboriginal peoples

You have a wealth of experience in Indigenous Health. Tell us a bit about your journey to where you got to today?

At 17, I began my career and first job in the Aboriginal community at the Marribank Family Centre, formerly the old Carrolup Native Settlement in the Southwest of Western Australia. After losing my father at a young age, I experienced firsthand the therapeutic strengths of Aboriginal culture and community as part of my own healing journey. A few years later, my Elders and community encouraged me to attend university and told me that I would be fine. I was a little doubtful, as I had not completed high school, but I listened to them and enrolled as a mature‑age student, like many in my generation.

My academic journey included a BA in Sociology and Anthropology and postgraduate studies including my Masters and Doctoral study were always balanced with working back in the community and within Aboriginal sector and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. This was my way of grounding what I learned in my academic journey and ensuring it remained connected to community priorities and realities. These experiences expanded my networks and shaped the path that led me into research.  Along this journey, I have been supported by many important mentors both Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal who brought a wide range of experiences and qualifications, and whose guidance has been central to my own learning. 

What does Reconciliation Week mean to you? 

Reconciliation Week, for me, is about laying strong and sustainable foundations for learning, truth‑telling, and shared understanding. It is a time to deepen our collective knowledge of Aboriginal histories, cultures, and lived realities, and to ensure that this learning leads to meaningful action. Reconciliation is not a single week of activity but an ongoing commitment to creating change, strengthening relationships, and improving outcomes for our communities. It is about ensuring that the stories, experiences, and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples are heard, respected, and embedded in the way we move forward together.

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?

Each stage of the academic journey presents its own learning curve and set of challenges. What has helped me to navigate these challenges is the unwavering support of my family and community, and maintaining a clear focus on the broader purpose of my work being committed to improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Being on Country continues to recharge me and keeps me grounded, reinforcing the cultural foundations that sustain my work alongside community.

Learning to manage the isolation that can accompany academia was, at times, as challenging as learning how to write successful national competitive grant applications. Both became more manageable through strong cultural grounding, the right mentoring support, and guidance from those who had walked this path before me. Importantly, my work has always been led by community priorities, which has been a critical factor in sustaining momentum and overcoming barriers. Securing academic scholarships that enabled this work to occur was also essential in the early stages of my career, providing both practical support and recognition of the value of community‑driven research.

What do you believe are the most pressing issues for women in global health right now?

Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and support for young mothers and their young children, are among the most pressing issues for women and children in global health. FASD is a significant global health concern, made more complex by stigma, limited awareness, and inconsistent policy and service responses. Addressing this requires adequate resources for young women particularly those experiencing social or structural disadvantage, to access culturally safe antenatal care, parenting support, and early childhood services. Strengthening prevention, reducing stigma, and ensuring wrap‑around support for mothers and their children are critical steps toward improving health outcomes and breaking intergenerational cycles of disadvantage throughout the world.

What is your favorite thing about what you do?

My favourite thing includes being able to reciprocate the support and learning I’ve received by giving back to community and mentoring the next generation of researchers. This also includes opportunities to design new programs for families on FASD prevention, grounded in the strengths of culture and designed to support parents, children, and community wellbeing.

What advice would you give to young women and gender‑diverse people who want to make a positive difference globally?

My advice would be to work closely with your community and advocate strongly for local priorities that are identified and led by community. This includes lobbying for improved resources and services that genuinely reflect community needs. Learn as much as you can on your topic of concern to strengthen your confidence and your advocacy. Research can also be used as a powerful platform to support these efforts by providing evidence to advocate for policy change and increased resourcing. Along the way, acknowledge the little wins to sustain your journey towards improving outcomes and making an important difference in the everyday lives of our community.