Sheenagh McShane

Sheenagh McShane is a Senior Research Officer at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, working in the Australian Gambling Research Centre team. Sheenagh brings more than 15 years’ experience in the refugee and asylum seeker sector. Her work is grounded in an evidence‑informed approach to understanding how structural conditions shape the wellbeing of families and communities.

Sheenagh’s research draws on mixed‑methods expertise, including qualitative interviewing, photovoice and longitudinal data analysis. Her doctoral thesis, Housing, refugee mental health and wellbeing across the resettlement journey, examined how post‑arrival stressors and housing insecurity influence mental health and wellbeing.

Before joining AIFS, Sheenagh held senior roles in program management, policy development and health advocacy at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. She has led multi‑disciplinary teams, designed health programs, contributed to major policy submissions, collaborated with government and sector partners, and coordinated research‑practice partnerships with universities. Her work has consistently centred on promoting health equity and advancing human rights.