CliMigHealth-The University of Queensland Asia-Pacific Hub
To address the lack of connection and integration between regional presences, the CliMigHealth Network will establish hubs to strengthen regional collaboration. The Asia-Pacific hub, our second regional initiative, was inaugurated in August 2025, in partnership with the University of Queensland’s School of Public Health.
CliMigHealth-Queensland University Asia-Pacific Hub
To address the lack of connection and integration between regional presences, the CliMigHealth Network will establish hubs to strengthen regional collaboration. The Asia-Pacific hub, our second regional initiative, was inaugurated in August 2025, in partnership with Queensland University’s School of Public Health.
Strategy of the Collaboration
In the current era of overlapping crises, many countries in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, The Fiji Islands and Tuvalu are among the most climate-exposed areas globally, facing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation that are already reshaping patterns of human mobility and generating profound health challenges.
The Asia-Pacific Hub seeks to build regional capacity by bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders to co-develop solutions tailored to the specific challenges of the region. With Australia potentially hosting COP31 in 2026, there is an opportunity to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and amplify regional voices in global debates on climate, migration, and health.
The Asia-Pacific Hub is coordinated by the University of Queensland’s School of Public Health, with contributions from researchers across public health, and other disciplines including climate science, migration studies, and policy. It serves as a regional anchor for the CliMigHealth Network, facilitating inter-regional collaboration with other hubs and partners in the region and aligning with global strategies for resilience and equity. Please visit this webpage for updates on hub activities.
Aims
- Establish the Asia-Pacific Hub at the University of Queensland.
- Develop capacity-building workshops, training, and community partnerships on the climate–migration–health nexus.
- Develop a regional strategy in light of upcoming climate summits and regional policy developments.
- Convene regional members to co-produce research, policy briefs, and public engagement outputs.
- Align outputs with the CliMigHealth Network strategy for 2023–2025 and beyond.
Projects and activities
- Climate Change, Migration, and Health in the Asia-Pacific: A Scoping Review
- Rapid Situation Analyses (RSAs) on climate-related health vulnerabilities and migration pathways
- Policy scan of migration frameworks and climate mobility in the Pacific
- Site visits and participatory research in climate-affected communities (e.g., Lismore floods, Pacific Island contexts)
- Development of a research agenda and policy briefs in collaboration with WHO and regional partners
- Application towards a Horizon climate-health project with deadline April 2026
Collaborators
Co-leads: Associate Professor Fiona Charlson and Dr Stacey Pizzino – University of Queensland
Collaborators from University of Queensland: Professor Sheleigh Lawler, Professor Matt McDonald, Associate Professor Nina Lansbury, Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen, and Associate Professor Dung Phung.
Collaborators from other institutions: dr. Patricia Schwerdtle, Monash University and Heidelberg University; Prof. Karin Leder, Monash University; David Sweeting, Monash University; Rashmi Venkatraman, independent advisor; dr. Revati Phalkey, Director of United Nations University-IIGH; Arthur Wyns, The University of Melbourne; and Ann-Christine Link, UNU-EHS..
Collaborating organizations:
- University of Queensland Mental Health and Climate Change Research Network
- United Nations University-IIGH
- Monash University
- The University of Melbourne
- University of Queensland – Ghent University Preferential Partnership (financial support)
- Monash University – Ghent University Preferential Partnership (financial support)
