2C. HIV&AIDS Abstract Session: Social, political & cultural aspects: Legal rights, stigma, and structural inequities among people living with HIV
Tracks
| Monday, September 14, 2026 |
| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
Speaker
Dr Thomas Norman
Research Fellow
La Trobe University
Patterns of indirect and direct HIV-related microaggressions and their relationship with self-reported quality of life among people living with HIV
Biography
Dr Thomas Norman is a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society. He currently coordinates the HIV Futures study, Australia's longest running survey of people living with HIV.
Dr Thomas Norman
Research Fellow
La Trobe University
Knowledge and perceived impact of HIV-related laws among people living with HIV in Australia
Biography
Dr Thomas Norman is a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University. He currently coordinates the HIV Futures project; Australia's longest running survey of people living with HIV.
Mr Collins Adu
Phd Candidate
Centre For Social Research In Health, Unsw Sydney
POWER DYNAMICS, HIV DISCLOSURE DECISIONS, AND STIGMA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF BLACK MIGRANTS FROM SSA LIVING WITH HIV IN AUSTRALIA
Biography
Collins Adu is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney. His mixed-methods research examines HIV attitudes and experiences of living with HIV among black migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in Australia. His work on HIV and sexual health has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals.
Mr Vikas Parwani
Principal Solicitor
HIV/AIDS Legal Centre
The exodus of people living with HIV from Latin America to Australia: improving asylum claims and access to care
Biography
Vikas Parwani is the Principal Solicitor of the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre. His expertise lies in HIV and the law, undertaking strategic litigation, law reform and advocacy. He has published, presented widely, and given evidence to parliamentary committees and law reform bodies on HIV related legal issues like criminalisation.
Ms Ashley Ognenovski
Solicitor
HIV/AIDS Legal Centre
Intersecting Harms: Gender Based Violence as a Driver of Displacement for HIV Positive Women from the Pacific Seeking Protection in Australia
Biography
Ashley is a Solicitor at HALC, Australia’s only funded specialist HIV Legal Centre. Having worked at HALC for over six years, Ashley has a strong interest in supporting women living with HIV, particularly where HIV law intersects with migration and visa issues.
Dr Timothy Krulic
Senior Health Promotion Officer
LPV
Know Your Rights: Outcomes from a peer support and education program to increase legal literacy and reduce harms caused by criminalisation and discriminatory migration policies for PLHIV in Australia
Biography
Dr Timothy Krulic is a social researcher and health promotion professional with an interest in experiences of stigma, health and wellbeing among people living with HIV and the role of community-led programs in public health responses.
Billy Suyapmo
Peer And Vocational Support Officer
Positive Life NSW
Beyond the Clinic: Relational Pathways to HIV Engagement Through Peer-Led Cultural Spaces Among Asian Communities in NSW
Biography
Billy is the Peer Navigator and Vocational Support Officer at Positive Life NSW. He is dedicated to reducing stigma and supporting communities particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, temporary residents and international students. Billy’s work examines ways to reduce barriers for those who are Medicare Ineligible accessing healthcare.