Andrew Smirnov

Dr. Andrew Smirnov is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Public Health within the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland. He earned his PhD in 2013 from the University of Queensland's School of Population Health with a thesis titled 'The natural history of Ecstasy use during early adulthood: a population-based prospective study.' His academic qualifications also include a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the University of Queensland, a Bachelor of Arts from the same institution, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Library Science from Queensland University of Technology. In his role, Smirnov teaches public health courses, supervises higher degree research students, and acts as a media expert on topics such as drug harm reduction, ecstasy use, hepatitis C, illegal drug use, methamphetamine use, and associated treatment and prevention strategies.

Smirnov's research centers on public health approaches to substance use disorders, with a focus on patterns of drug use among young adults, including stimulants, cannabis-tobacco co-administration, and injecting behaviors. He investigates barriers and enablers to hepatitis C virus treatment uptake among people who inject drugs in general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and during prison-to-community transitions. His work also addresses inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, including strengthening harm reduction services, intersectional stigma and racism impacting healthcare access, incarceration rates of children and youth, and Indigenous-led strategies to counter alcohol harms. Key publications include the book chapter 'Drug use in Australia: a public health approach' (Cambridge University Press, 2022 and 2019); 'Examining incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children' (The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2022); 'Strengthening harm reduction services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who inject drugs: a reflexive assessment using the CONSIDER statement' (Rural and Remote Health, 2026); ''You’ve Just Got to Keep Pestering': barriers and enablers of attaining continuity of hepatitis C care for people transitioning between prison and community health services' (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2025); and 'Alcohol use in Australia: countering harm with healing' (The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, 2023). These contributions advance evidence-based policy and practice in harm reduction and health equity.

Professional Email: a.smirnov@uq.edu.au