Health academic to lead Epidemiological Association in New Zealand

Dr Murray is a public health expert who teaches in the Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Public Health programmes at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University. She focuses on how social factors affect health, using community-based research methods. She co-founded the AEA Epidemiology Teaching Network, serves as an editor for the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, and contributed to the World Health Organization’s global competency and outcomes framework for the essential public health functions.

The AEA aims to develop and promote the discipline of epidemiology throughout Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, and has been instrumental in shaping public health policies and responses to major health challenges including pandemic preparedness, environmental health risks and chronic disease prevention.

Dr Murray says she is looking forward to taking on the role.

“As a truly mixed-methods public health practitioner, this is an opportunity to serve our regional network of epidemiologists through their dedicated association. I look forward to further revitalising the New Zealand branch post-pandemic and supporting our Moana Pasifika chapter.”

AEA President Dr Abbey Diaz echoed this vision, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to strengthening epidemiological research and advocacy across the region.

“Along with the rest of the AEA Council, Linda and I share a vision to support the establishment and growth of the new AEA Moana Pasifika Chapter. This chapter is convening, on behalf of AEA, the Annual Scientific Meeting for 2026 in Fiji. This will be a world-class event, prioritising the sharing of evidence, lessons from the field, contemporary epidemiological methods, and robust discussions on methodology and research approaches that are necessary to overcome critical challenges to the health and well-being of our populations across Australasia in 2026 and beyond.”

Dr Murray emphasised that public health thrives on collaboration across disciplines. She sees deep listening and engagement as key to effective partnerships and hopes to strengthen connections among epidemiologists, students, and public health professionals.

Looking ahead, Dr Murray hopes to build on the AEA’s strong foundations and further expand opportunities for interdisciplinary research collaboration. “We have a diverse membership of academics, professionals in health departments, fieldworkers in humanitarian settings and public health practitioners from many walks of life. Our door is open to all—please come and say hi!”