Researcher biography
Dr. Mehwish Nisar is a medical doctor, researcher, and academic whose work bridges clinical practice, public health research, and higher education.
Her research expertise lies in mixed-methods approaches to chronic disease—particularly diabetes and health behaviours such as physical activity—with special emphasis on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) populations. Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, she spearheads initiatives that integrate mixed-methods research, co-design principles, implementation science, and consumer and community involvement in research to enhance health outcomes for CALD communities living with hearing loss. She is a committee member of the IH SIG, Public Health Australia.
As an Academic at UQ, Dr. Nisar leverages more than ten years of teaching experience gained across medical schools and tertiary institutions in Australia and internationally. Her dedication to high-quality university education is formally acknowledged through her recognition as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
Central to Dr. Nisar's professional mission is the pursuit of health equity through culturally responsive, evidence-informed strategies. She offers comprehensive skills in research methodology, qualitative and quantitative analysis, knowledge translation, and fostering collaborative relationships with community-based organisations.
Publications
Journal Articles
Li, Wen, Nisar, Mehwish, Gillies, Robyn M, McGrail, Matthew and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Challenges and strategies for international medical graduates in registration and integration into the Australian healthcare system: a systematic scoping review. Australian health review, 49 (6) AH25210. doi: 10.1071/ah25210
Hossian, Mosharop, Mielke, Gregore Iven, Nisar, Mehwish and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Who stays on track? Investigating compliance with 24-hour movement Behaviours guidelines and its associated factors across childhood and adolescence in Australia. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.09.017
Nisar, Mehwish and Dawes, Piers (2025). Diabetes and hearing loss: A call to action for early detection and prevention. Australian Journal of General Practice, 54 (10), 747-749. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-11-24-7474
Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Furze, Cailyn, Nisar, Mehwish, Waite, Monique, Scarinci, Nerina, Newall, John, Hickson, Louise, Armitage, Christopher J., Ching, Teresa Y. C. and Dawes, Piers (2025). Factors influencing the use of hearing services by diverse ethnic communities in Australia. Ear and Hearing. doi: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001734
Hossian, Mosharop, Mielke, Gregore Iven, Nisar, Mehwish, Tremblay, Mark S. and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Global research on 24-hour movement behaviours guidelines in children and adolescents: a systematic review. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22 (1) 108, 1-18. doi: 10.1186/s12966-025-01809-5
Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Nisar, Mehwish, Furze, Cailyn, Scarinci, Nerina, Newall, John, Hickson, Louise, Timmer, Barbra, Armitage, Christopher J. and Dawes, Piers (2025). What does culturally responsive hearing care look like? The views of service users, clinicians, and researchers. Ear and Hearing, 46 (6) 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001686, 1479-1489. doi: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001686
Nisar, Mehwish, Costa, Nathalia, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Exploring healthcare access challenges among South Asian migrants in Australia: a mixed-method study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36 (2) e70008, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70008
Hossian, Mosharop, Nisar, Mehwish, Iven Mielke, Gregore and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Twenty Four-Hour Movement Behaviours Research Among Australian Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36 (2) e70021, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70021
Nisar, Mehwish, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Chronic diseases and their behavioural risk factors among South Asian immigrants in Australia. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24032, 1-8. doi: 10.1071/ah24032
Li, Wen, Nisar, Mehwish, Gillies, Robyn, McGrail, Matthew and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2024). Challenges and strategies for international medical graduates in registration and integration into the Australian healthcare system: Protocol for a systematic scoping review. Figshare, 49 (6) AH25210. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.27896436.v1
Feng, Jie, Huang, Wendy Yajun, Zheng, Chen, Jiao, Jiao, Khan, Asaduzzaman, Nisar, Mehwish and Wong, Stephen Heung-Sang (2024). The overflow effects of movement behaviour change interventions for children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sports Medicine, 54 (12), 3151-3167. doi: 10.1007/s40279-024-02113-1
Dawes, Piers, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Scarinci, Nerina, Newall, John, Furze, Cailyn, Nisar, Mehwish, Timmer, Barbra, Ching, Teresa Y. C., Harris-Roxas, Benjamin, Scanlan, Emma, Van Buynder, Patricia, Waite, Monique, Orlando, Marc, Kruger, Jan-Louis, Ekberg, Katie, Dib, Mayada, Ginis, Jan, Barr, Margo, Armitage, Christopher J. and Hickson, Louise (2024). Developing strategies to improve accessibility of hearing health services for people from diverse ethnic communities in Australia: Research Protocol. Figshare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26499952.v1
Nisar, Mehwish, Kolbe‐Alexander, Tracy L. and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2023). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour among South Asian immigrants in Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 35 (1), 57-67. doi: 10.1002/hpja.711
Nisar, Mehwish, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2023). Bullying experiences of South Asian immigrants in Australia: a mixed-method study. Prevention Science, 24 (4), 785-797. doi: 10.1007/s11121-022-01487-w
Nisar, Mehwish, Uddin, Riaz, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2022). The prevalence of chronic diseases in international immigrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 51 (3), 1-12. doi: 10.1177/14034948221116219
Nisar, M., Alexander, T. and Khan, A. (2022). Health behaviors changes during COVID-19: a study of Australian immigrants. Public Health Review, 9 (3), 7-11. doi: 10.17511/ijphr.2022.i03.01
Nisar, Mehwish, Khan, Asaduzzaman and Kolbe‐Alexander, Tracy L. (2022). ‘Cost, culture and circumstances’: barriers and enablers of health behaviours in South Asian immigrants of Australia. Health and Social Care in the Community, 30 (5), e3138-e3149. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13759
Nisar, Mehwish, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Burton, Nicola W. and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2021). A longitudinal assessment of risk factors and chronic diseases among immigrant and non-immigrant adults in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (16) 8621, 8621. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18168621
Ansari, Umair, Naz, Fouzia, Shujat Husain, Syed, Shabbir, Taha, Mazhar ul Hasnain, Syed, Memon, Saeed, Kalwar, Bashir Ahmed, Shuja Uddin, Syed, Nisar, Mehwish and Nazish, Sardar Ahmed (2020). Effects of social media group communication campaigns among school children: an experimental study. Ilkogretim Online - Elementary Education Online, 19 (1), 686-699. doi: 10.17051/ilkonline.2020.661900
Hameed, Saad, Nisar Ahmed, Beenish, Waqas Nisar Ahmed, Muhammad, Anis Musani, Muhammad, Arfeen, Mohammad, Nisar, Mehwish, Hassan Abbas Naqvi, Syed, Hameed, Javeria, Imran, Arshi, Ikram, Asad and Iqbal Afridi, Muhammad (2019). Awareness of BMI among health professionals in tertiary care hospitals. Annals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, 5 (2), 87-92.
Nisar, Mehwish, Ahmed, Muhammad Waqas Nisar, Ahmed, Beenish Nisar, Imran, Arshi and Ahmed, Sana Nisar (2016). Stress and the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Annals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, 48-52.
Zaman, Shaikh Muhammad and Nisar, Mehwish (2009). Primary hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism, alopecia totalis, and müllerian hypoplasia: A clinical study. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 59 (8), 571-573.
Shaikh, Zaman, Umar, Muhammad and Nisar, Mehwish (2007). Unusual presentation of Addison's disease. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 23 (3), 475-478.
Conference Papers
Kirjava, Shade Avery, Faulkner, Sam, Raab, Clara and Nisar, Mehwish (2025). Evaluating colorism in hearing aid and cochlear implant design in the United States market: a 20-year longitudinal analysis. American Academy of Audiology Conference, New Orleans, LO USA, 26-29 March 2025.
Nisar, Mehwish, Costa, Nathalia and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2025). Exploring healthcare access challenges among South Asian migrants in Australia: A mixed-method study. Global Conference on Migration and Health Equity, Sydney, NSW Australia, 30-31 January 2025.
Nisar, Mehwish, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Orlando, Marc, Kruger, Jan-Louis, Scarinci, Nerina, Newall, John and Dawes, Piers (2025). Engagement with Interpreters to Improve Hearing Health Equity in Audiology Clinics. Global Conference on Migration and Health Equity, Sydney, NSW Australia, 30-31 January 2025.
Newall, John, Furze, Cailyn, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Nisar, Mehwish, Scarinci, Nerina, Hickson, Louise, Armitage, Christopher J., Ching, Teresa Y. C., Shi, Li, Timmer, Barbra and Dawes, Piers (2025). Actors influencing the accessibility and use of hearing services by diverse ethnic communities in Australia. 14th Annual Conference of the Coalition for Global Hearing Health, Wellington, New Zealand, 16-18 January 2025.
Dawes, Piers, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Nisar, Mehwish, Newall, John, Timmer, Barbra, Hickson, Louise, Furze, Cailyn, Armitage, Christopher J. and Scarinci, Nerina (2025). What does culturally responsive hearing care look like? An international Delphi study. 14th International Conference of the Coalition for Global Hearing Health, Wellington, New Zealand, 16-18 January 2025.
Dawes, Piers, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Newall, John, Nisar, Mehwish, Furze, Cailyn and Scarinci, Nerina (2024). Identifying Person-Centred Culturally Responsive Hearing Care Professional Behaviours: An International eDelphi Study. 36th World Congress of Audiology, Paris, France, 19-22 September 2024.
Scarinci, Nerina, Furze, Cailyn, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Nisar, Mehwish, Newall, John and Dawes, Piers (2024). Factors influencing the use of hearing services among adults from diverse ethnic communities in Australia. 36th World Congress of Audiology, Paris, France, 19-22 September 2024.
Newall, John, Nisar, Mehwish, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Orlando, Mark, Scarinci, Nerina and Dawes, Piers (2024). Exploring factors influencing engagement of interpreters with hearing care professionals. 36th World Congress of Audiology, Paris, France, 19-22 September 2024.
Nisar, Mehwish, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Scarinci, Nerina, Furze, Cailyn, Newall, John and Dawes, Piers (2024). “You Are Just Making Him More deaf”: Exploring Paediatric Hearing Services Engagements in Australia's Culturally Diverse Communities. International Hearing-Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2024), Lake Tahoe, CA United States, 21–25 August 2024.
Nisar, Mehwish and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2024). Sunflower's Sorrow: Health Struggles of South Asian Women in Australia. QLD Women’s Health Forum 2024, Brisbane, Australia, 11-12 July 2024.
Nisar, Mehwish (2024). Exploring barriers and facilitators for translators and interpreters in audiology clinics: a mixed-method investigation. 5th East Asian Translation Studies Conference (EATS5), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26—28 June 2024.
Nisar, Mehwish, Orlando, Marc, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Kruger, Jan-Louis and Dawes, Piers (2023). Engagement between Hearing Services Providers and Translation & Interpreting (T&I) services. Early Career and Postgraduate Research Conference, SHRS, UQ, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 30 November 2023.
Nisar, Mehwish and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2022). Bullying experience among South Asian immigrant population of Australia: A mixed-method study.. Preventive Health Conference 2022 PHAA, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 May 2022. Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA).
Ahmed, Muhammad and Nisar, Mehwish (2019). Telehealth application limiting factors in Pakistan. 19th Successes and Failures in Telehealth Conference (SFT-19 Australia), Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 21-23 October 2019.
Data Collection
Kirjava, Shade, Faulkner, Sam Jones, Raab, Clara and Nisar, Mehwish (2025). Evaluating Colorism in Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Design in the United States Market: A 20-Year Longitudinal Analysis. HARVARD. (Dataset) doi: 10.7910/DVN/9OBJG5
Thesis
Nisar, Mehwish (2023). Chronic diseases and behavioural risk factors in immigrants: An Australian perspective. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/2e1c0f1
Department Technical Report
Gane, E., Brakenridge, C., Johnston, V., Khan, A., Way, K. A., Healy, G., Zerguine, H. and Nisar, M. (2022). Evaluating changing environmental, psychological, and organizational characteristics of working from home and their impact on work and health outcomes of employees. A report for the Office of Ergonomics Research Committee (USA), Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland.
Newspaper Articles
Nisar, Mehwish (2025, 04 17). Cultural competence needed to build equitable health care Intouch Public Health
Nisar, Mehwish (2025, 03 11). Uncovering the hidden challenges of healthcare for South Asian Australians School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences news
Nisar, Mehwish (2024, 03 02). Audism’s echo in the hearing-impaired terrain Medium
Nisar, Mehwish (2023, 08 30). Crossing Borders, Crossing Health: Exploring Chronic Diseases in Migrants Best Practice Nordic
Nisar, Mehwish (2023, 05 04). South Asian heart health has never been more important Indian Link