Associate Professor Sarah Bernays is a prominent figure in the Sydney School of Public Health within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. An anthropologist by training, she holds a Doctor of Philosophy in medical sociology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where she worked from 2006 to 2017 and continues as an Honorary Associate Professor. Since joining the University of Sydney, she has advanced to Associate Professor in Global Health. She serves as co-Director of the Masters of Global Health programme since 2023, leading its renewal and delivery of global health teaching. Additionally, she directs the global implementation science research group in the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute. Her career emphasizes qualitative research methods to inform health programming, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Bernays' research specializes in community engagement for infectious diseases, with a focus on adolescents and young people living with HIV and tuberculosis. She has led social science components in community-based peer-delivered interventions for mental health and HIV engagement across sub-Saharan Africa for over a decade. Current projects under her leadership as principal investigator include the Templeton project (2021-2026), Kids with Kids (2025-2027), and RESTORE (2026-2029), totaling significant funding for implementation science. Her scholarly output exceeds 180 publications, with over 4,000 citations. Key works include 'Children growing up with HIV infection: the responsibility of success' (The Lancet, 2014), 'Implementation and evaluation of the Y-Check comprehensive adolescent package in Zimbabwe' (Nature Medicine, 2026), and contributions to The Lancet Global Health on viral suppression and TB care. Her research informs global strategies for TB prevention, treatment, and community involvement, enhancing equity in health services for vulnerable populations. She contributes to editorial roles and public health committees advancing implementation research.

Professional Email: sarah.bernays@sydney.edu.au