ProfessorVicki White

Victoria White is a Professor (Psych-Oncology) in the School of Psychology and is a co-director of Deakin University’s recently established Carer Hub, a research centre focusing on improving outcomes for those caring for someone with cancer. She has over 25 years’ experience in cancer control and oncology research working with researchers across Australia and internationally working across a range of cancer related behaviours including smoking uptake, alcohol use, participating in mammography screening and uptake and utility of supportive care programs for people affected by cancer. She has substantial experience in conducting systematic reviews and has utilised a range of research designs including randomised control trials, longitudinal and cross-sectional research designs.  Between 1996 and 2017 she was principal investigator on Australia’s longest survey of tobacco alcohol and illicit substance use among Australian secondary students (ASSAD) leading major reports to state and federal governments. Through this work she has a strong track record of working with and reporting to government. She has undertaken multiple projects with the Victorian Department of Health including literature reviews, survey development and piloting and assessment of cancer care. In the past 5 years, Victoria has been involved in research teams that have generated $7,000,000 in successful grant applications including through MRFF, NHMRC, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, and Victorian Cancer Agency.  She has published widely and regularly reviews for national and international per review journals. She is a member of Cancer Council Victoria’s Medical and Scientific: Standing Research Sub-Committee (Deputy Chair since 2023), is a reviewer/panel member for grant schemes run by Australian Research Council, National Breast Cancer Foundation, South Australia’s Medical Research Institute, Cancer Australia’s Priority driven Grant scheme.

Professor White has published over 190 articles in peer-reviewed journals, resulting in >5340 citations, cited in 115 countries, with 15% of publications ranked in the top 10% most cited publications worldwide. In addition, she has authored more than 120 reports for state and federal governments, non-government and cancer advocacy organisations and health services, showing the impact of her work at a policy/practice level.

Professor White is currently the Co-Principal Investigator (PI) on a MRFF grant (2023-6) undertaking a randomised controlled trial to support people with upper GI cancers and their carers. She is a co-investigator on an NHMRC Partnership grant (2021-2024) investigating the social return on investment of telephone-based support services for people with cancer. She is a co-investigator on an MRFF grant investigating clinical, lab and supportive care strategies for improving outcomes for those with Granulosa Cell Tumours of the ovary. She led the first national study to better understand the treatment and care experiences of adolescents and young adults with cancer, funded by NHMRC. She led a randomised controlled trial testing the impact of a peer support program for people with a genetic mutation for cancer and has led a range of studies assessing the experiences of people with cancer participating in peer support program.

 Her research incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, working with a range of stakeholders, including those with lived experience and community, advocacy and government organisations. She has supervised 23 Higher Degree and Honours students (5 PhD, 4 masters, 14 honours) and mentored multiple research assistants and research fellows.