(Pronouns: she/her/hers)
PhD in Anthropology| H-index 6
School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts | Monash University
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | The University of Sydney
Department of Sociology and Communication | Binh Duong University
Key researcher of the Social Security and Sustainable Development Group, School of Law and Management | Thu Dau Mot University
PROFESIONAL SUMMARY
Dr An Nguyen is a social health researcher specialising in disability, ageing, and health equity among culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Her work integrates qualitative and mixed-method approaches to examine structural barriers in health systems and inform inclusive policy reform.
She has an established international publication record, including first-author articles in leading journals such as Disability & Society, Sexuality and Disability, and Global Public Health.
Dr Nguyen’s emerging research agenda focuses on disability and ageing in multicultural Australia, with particular attention to culturally diverse communities and health service accessibility.
KEY CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
PhD in Anthropology (Monash University, 2024) with internationally published outputs on disability, governance, and health policy.
H-index 6 with 200+ citations and multiple publications in high-impact international journals (e.g., Disability & Society, Global Public Health, International Journal of Inclusive Education).
Extensive mixed-method research expertise (quantitative and qualitative), including SPSS and NVivo.
Demonstrated experience supporting ARC-style collaborative research projects through stakeholder engagement, workshops, and fieldwork coordination.
Established mentor and research trainer supporting 100+ postgraduate and early- career researchers globally.
Proven track record of working with government agencies, NGOs, and diverse communities across Australia and Southeast Asia.
EDUCATION
2024 - Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology, Monash University, Australia
Thesis title: Access to reproductive health care of women with physical disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Mark: Passed with minor amendments)
2016 - Master By Research in Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Australia
Thesis title: Sexual and reproductive health of people living with physical disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Mark: Passed with minor amendments)
2013 - Master of Arts in Sociology, Vietnam National University, Vietnam, (GPA: 7.68/10, Top 2 of 30 students)
Thesis title: Sexual Issues of people living with disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Mark: 9.5/10)
2009 - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Vietnam National University, Vietnam (GPA: 8.16/10, Top 1 of 200 students, the Dux of the Sociology Department)
Thesis title: Gender issues in Families of People with Disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Mark: 10/10)
Student’s projects:
Thi Tu An Nguyen (CI), Thi Minh Hue Nguyen, Dao Cam Nhung Truong, Quang Minh Nhat Banh, 2008, Orientation about Love and Marriage of People with Disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Won the 1st prize in the Student Research at the Vietnam National University, and the 4th prize the National Student Research in 2008.
Thi Tu An Nguyen (CI), others, (2007), Quality of life of local people on the flooding street: A case study on Pham The Hien st, Ward 7, Dist 8, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I was a Team Leader in a group of 10 students.
EMPOYMENT
03.03.2026 - Present, Research Assistant (Casual), University of Sydney, Australia
Provide highly specialised research support services in the ACVVS project: Conduction quantitative fieldwork among the elderly in VIC
2023 - Present, Casual Research Officer, Monash University, Australia
Provide professional support in:
The Co-design for people with cognitive impairments project: Recruiting CALD participants, organizing workshops these participants in Melbourne and Sydney
The ACVVS project: Conducting quantitative and qualitative fieldwork in Vic
Perform literature search and literature review, writing and data analysis on elder abuse and coginitive impairment.
A research team member of the Global Dementias Project: Provide highly specialised research support services in the Global Dementia Study: Searching papers for literature review, conducting fieldwork to collect qualitative data in Vic and NSW, working with diverse agencies in Vic and NSW, data management, and qualitative data analysis.
Conduct a literature review on elder abuse and cognitive impairment
26.02.2026 – 26.02.2028, Research Consultant (Casual), CIRCA, Australia
Provide highly specialised research support services in the Faciliating Connection Project: Conduction qualitative fieldwork in VIC
21.3.2023 – present, Founder, Academic Tutor and Mentor, Academic Tutoring Services (ATS) (Freelance)
Founded and led a tutoring initiative supporting undergraduate and postgraduate students in social sciences and health-related disciplines.
Designing and delivering research methods training courses for Vietnamese learners
Provided tailored guidance on research design, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and academic writing.
Mentored over 100 students and early-career researchers globally, particularly women and scholars from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Conducted workshops on literature review writing, thesis development, and publishing strategies.
9 – 12.2024, Research Assistant (Sessional), University of Southern Queensland, Australia
Conduct narrative review on disability and employment in Australia.
5.2011 – 12.2012, Lecturer and Researcher (Full time), Sociology Department, Binh Duong University, Vietnam
Teaching (Research Methodology in theory and practice, SPSS, Introduction Social Work, Introduction Sociology)
Leading internships for 3rd and 4th year students.
Supervising students in scientific research
Administration of some research projects led by this department
Serving as a research assistant for the national research project titled “Implementing New Policy to Develop Rural Areas in Ca Mau Province, Vietnam.” My responsibilities included designing and managing data collection alongside a colleague and organizing a field trip for approximately 15 investigators. I analysed both qualitative and quantitative data, managed the project budget, prepared budget reports, and proofread the final research report.
4.2010 – 4.2011 Senior researcher and Head of Representative Office (Full time), Southern Environment and Technology Economy Science Union (SETESU), Vietnam
My primary responsibilities include managing human resources and overseeing the conduct and administration of research projects. This encompasses designing and conducting research, performing fieldwork, developing quantitative surveys, cleaning and inputting data, analysing data using SPSS software, and writing project evaluation reports. Additionally, I am involved in organizing scientific conferences and preparing academic research proposals.
01.2008 – 3.2009, Project Assistant (Part-time), Disability, Capacity, Research, and Development (DRD), Vietnam
Organized monthly/quarterly meetings and held training courses for women with disabilities.
Reported and evaluated monthly and quarterly activities.
Managed and followed up on people with disabilities and evaluated their improvements after training course participation.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
An Editorial Board Member of the Indonesia Andrology and Biomedical Journal, E-ISSN: 2746-4474.
Grant Panel Member for SAMRC in South Africa
Reviewer for several high-ranking journals:
Original papers for the Cultural, Health and Sexuality; Journal of Homosexuality; JBI Evidence Synthesis Journal; F1000Research Journal; International Journal of Health Policy and Management; International Perspective for Psychology; International Journal for Equity in Health; International Perspectives in Psychology; Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare; Employee Relations; and Women's Reproductive Health.
Book chapters for the Springer Nature publisher.
HONORS & AWARDS
2025, Australian Alumni Awards 2025 finalist under the Building Knowledge and Connecting People Award category.
2023, Postgraduate Publications Award, Monash University, AUD$5,733.00
2017 - 2023, Full PhD scholarship (Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS) and Monash International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MIPRS)), Monash University, approx ~ AUD$250,000
2017 - 2020, Full tuition fee PhD scholarship, La Trobe University, approx. ~ AUD$120,000. (However, I declined this offer)
2014-2016, Australian Award Scholarship, AUD$ 175,000
2010, Merit certificate “The 7th - People with disabilities overcome fate” held by The Love and Life Magazine in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Disabled Children Relief Association, and the Association of Vietnamese Scientific Development for Talented Human Resources.
2009, Merit certificate “2009 Youth of the City”, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Association
2009, Top 10 “2009 Young Citizen of the City”, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Association
2009, Nomination for “Youth of the City 2005-2009”
2008, 1st Prize in Student Research at the University of Vietnam National University.
2008, Student Research Award for Student Scientific Research at the national level.
2009, Dux of the Sociology Department, school year 2005 – 2009.
2005, Dux of the 2005 Sociology Intake, Sociology Department.
2007 – 2008, Merit Certificate of the Vietnam Students Union for Excellent contributions
2008, Recognition Certificate of Outstanding Leader, 1st Club/Team/Group Festival in Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City.
2005 – 2006, Merit Certificate of Outstanding Achievements in the school year 2005-2006
2005 – 2006, Merit Certificate of Outstanding Achievements in students’ movements
Other Recognitions of scholarships, such as: Tiếp sức đến trường (establishment fundings for disadvantaged students), NVC scholarship (financial support during 4 years), Prudential scholarship, Association of Japanese Businesses scholarship, MSI scholarship (laptop support).
Grants
2020, Student Compassionate and Hardship Emergency Grant, Monash University, AUD$4,020.00
2020, Traveling and stipend grant to present at the 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights - Cambodia
2012, Traveling grant, 2 days, International Sexual and Reproductive Health Symposium, in Ha Noi, Vietnam
2010, Traveling and stipend grant, 2 weeks training, Sexual and Reproductive Health Training Course, held by CCIHP, Ha Noi, Vietnam
2010, Traveling and stipend grant, 2 weeks training, Training for trainer workshop in Thailand
2009, Traveling and stipend grant, a 1-week international conference for leaders with disabilities in Thailand