Early career researchers: meet Dr Elena Cama
Published on the 03 July 2025
Photo: UNSW Sydney.
Dr Elena Cama’s research focusÌýis sexual violence and stigma in healthcare. She has accomplished a lot since completing her PhD in 2022, co-authoring a book, and launching a regular seminar series and a major conference event. Centring her work on lived experience has driven Elena's continued passion for her work. That, and making time to ‘fill her own cup’ in the often-demanding world of academia.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m an early career researcher at the Centre for Social Research in Health with a background in social sciences, criminology and public health. My research broadly explores experiences, impacts and responses to different forms of marginalisation and violence. I completed my PhD in 2022 which focused on sexual violence facilitated through dating apps, both online and in person. I’ve also worked on a range of projects related to sexual violence, including image-based sexual abuse and sexual violence in the context of taxi and ride-share services, in the night-time economy and in higher education settings. One project on bystander intervention and image-based sexual abuse culminated in a co-authored book with Professor Asher Flynn and Dr Adrian Scott published this year titledÌý.
For the past 14 years or so, I have also been researching stigma and discrimination experienced by people affected by blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections, including priority populations such as culturally and linguistically diverse people, people who inject drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men. I’m the co-facilitator of theÌýSpotlight on Stigma webinar series,Ìýthe co-chair of theÌýTackling Stigma in Healthcare ConferenceÌý(the first of which was hosted in November 2024) and lecturer for the short courseÌýCombating Stigma: Strategies for Inclusive Health Services.
To me, this feels like the whole point of doing this type of research – to ensure people are heard and the impacts of their experiences validated.
What or who sparked your interest in this area of research?
I fell into the stigma field of research. During my undergraduate degree in social sciences and criminology, I was looking around for internship opportunities to get experience in social research. When I reached out to the Centre for Social Research in Health (then the National Centre in HIV Social Research), I was fortunate enough to be offered some casual work by Professor Loren Brener. The rest is history, as they say! I’ve continued to work with Loren and with Scientia Professor Carla Treloar ever since. Loren also introduced me to one of my PhD supervisors, so it feels serendipitous that we met!
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on a range of studies that focus on stigma and discrimination. The main project I am working on is the development, implementation and evaluation of a stigma reduction intervention in healthcare settings across New South Wales and Victoria.
What do you find most rewarding about being a researcher?
I find it most rewarding when research participants value my research given that what I do is ultimately about shedding light on their experiences. During my PhD, one interview participant spoke about how meaningful it was for them to take part in the study because it was a topic that hadn’t yet received that much attention. To me, this feels like the whole point of doing this type of research – to ensure people are heard and the impacts of their experiences validated.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who is considering or about to transition into academia?
It’s important to have work/life balance. Academia can be really challenging and competitive, and so it’s crucial to have moments of proper rest. I once read that you should do things that ‘fill your cup’, which refers to forms of rest and self-care that restore your energy (emotional, mental and physical). I find that hobbies, interests and care practices outside of work that ‘fill your cup’ is essential for having the energy and motivation to fuel your research.
To learn more about Dr Elena Cama's research, projects and achievements, visit herÌýResearcher Profile.