Professor Reema Harrison is an internationally recognised leader in health systems, safety, and equity, whose work has transformed care experiences and outcomes for diverse and underserved communities. She is Professor of Health Systems and Safety at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, and has recently been appointed as Chief Scientist and Institute Research Director at the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research.
Across her 20‑year career, Professor Harrison has led more than 70 translational research projects focused on improving the quality, safety, and equity of healthcare delivery, attracting over $35 million in competitive external funding from MRFF, NHMRC, Cancer Australia, Cancer Institute NSW and other major national and international agencies. Her work is distinguished by its strong partnerships with consumers, clinicians, and health services, using co‑design and community‑based participatory methods to create practical, scalable solutions that advance person‑centred care.
Professor Harrison’s contributions to cancer care equity are nationally recognised. She leads landmark programs such as CanEngage, iCanCarePlan and Smarter Hospitals, which have addressed profound inequities for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with intellectual disability, and those with complex care needs across the cancer continuum. Her research has informed national policy, shaped clinical standards, and improved access to safe, culturally responsive cancer care for tens of thousands of Australians.
She has authored more than 160 peer‑reviewed publications, delivered over 190 invited and keynote presentations, and received multiple national and international awards, including the 2023 NSW Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Research and the 2025 Robert Wears Patient Safety Leadership Award. Professor Harrison is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers and advancing equitable, patient‑centred healthcare in Australia and globally
