DrTari Forrester-Bowling

My neurodivergent strengths have shaped a dynamic and diverse career, culminating in my role as an interdisciplinary scientist in public health research. My academic work focuses on designing and facilitating co-created solutions to complex public health challenges, with a strong emphasis on lived experience and stakeholder collaboration. I have led and contributed to participatory systems mapping and co-design initiatives in mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, maternal and child health, and healthy food retail environments. The transition into academic research builds on over two decades of industry expertise across local and state government, private enterprise, and NGOs in Australia and internationally. I am particularly passionate about integrating AI into participatory methods—such as using natural language processing to analyse stakeholder narratives and machine learning to simulate policy scenarios—to help communities and decision-makers tackle complex public health problems.